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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project

(41.06 MW)

Submitted to:

MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND ENVIRONMENT

Through MINISTRY OF ENERGY, WATER RESOURCES AND

IRRIGATION

Submitted by:

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICITY DEVELOPMENT

Prepared by:

Joint Venture of

Environment and Resource Management

Consultant (P) Ltd. (ERMC)

JULY 2018

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Table of Contents Page no.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (NEPALI) ....................................................................... XIII

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................ XXI

1 NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT AND THE INSTITUTION RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THE REPORT .................. 2

1.1 Project Proponent .................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Organization and the Team Responsible for Conducting the Study .......................................... 2

2 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 4

2.1 Background .............................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Scope of EIA Study ................................................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Rationale for Conducting EIA Study .................................................................................................. 5 2.4 Objectives of EIA Study ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.5 Project Description ................................................................................................................................ 5

2.5.1 Project Location .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.5.2 Accessibility .................................................................................................................................. 9 2.5.3 Project Features .......................................................................................................................... 9 2.5.4 Salient Features of the project............................................................................................... 14

2.6 Construction Planning ......................................................................................................................... 18 2.7 Project Operation Modality ............................................................................................................... 26

3 STUDY METHODOLOGY .................................................................................. 29

3.1 Project Impact Area Definition ......................................................................................................... 29 3.1.1 Direct Impact Area ................................................................................................................... 29 3.1.2 IndirectImpact Area .................................................................................................................. 29

3.2 Data Collection Procedures/Methods ............................................................................................. 30 3.2.1 Desk Study and Literature Review ....................................................................................... 30 3.2.2 Field Study, Data Collection and Data Analysis ................................................................ 30

3.3 Public Consultation and Public Hearing .......................................................................................... 38 3.3.1 Public Consultation .................................................................................................................. 38 3.3.2 Public Hearing ............................................................................................................................ 38 3.3.3 Issues raised during Public Hearing ...................................................................................... 40

3.4 Impact Analysis and Prediction .......................................................................................................... 40 3.5 Preparation of Environmental Management Plan .......................................................................... 41 3.6 Report Preparation .............................................................................................................................. 41 3.7 Study Team ............................................................................................................................................ 41 3.8 EIA Study Time Schedule .................................................................................................................... 42 3.9 Estimated Budget for EIA study ........................................................................................................ 42

4 REVIEW OF RELEVANT PLANS/POLICIES, LEGISLATIONS, GUIDELINES, STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS ............................................................... 44

4.1 Plans, Policies and Strategy ................................................................................................................. 44 4.1.1 Constitution of Nepal .............................................................................................................. 44 4.1.2 Hydropower Development Policy, 2058 (2001) ............................................................... 44

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4.1.3 The Fourteenth Plan2073/74-75/76 (FY2016/17- 2018/19) ........................................... 44 4.1.4 National Forest Policy, 2071 (2015)..................................................................................... 45 4.1.5 National Wetland Policy, 2069 (2012) ................................................................................ 45 4.1.6 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (20014-2020) ....................................... 45 4.1.7 National Water Resource Strategy, 2059 (2002) ............................................................. 45 4.1.8 National Water Plan, 2062 (2005)........................................................................................ 46 4.1.9 Leasehold Forest Policy, 2002 ............................................................................................... 46

4.2 Acts and Rules/Regulations ................................................................................................................ 46 4.2.1 Environment Protection Act, 2053 (1997) ......................................................................... 46 4.2.2 Environment Protection Rules, 2054 (1997) ...................................................................... 47 4.2.3 Electricity Act, 2049 (1992).................................................................................................... 47 4.2.4 Electricity Rules, 2050 (1993) ................................................................................................ 48 4.2.5 Public Road Act, (1974) ........................................................................................................... 48 4.2.6 Explosive Act, 2018 (1962)..................................................................................................... 48 4.2.7 Water Resources Act, 2049 (1993) ..................................................................................... 48 4.2.8 Water Resources Regulations, 2049 (1993) ...................................................................... 49 4.2.9 Soil and Watershed Conservation Act, 2039 (1982) ....................................................... 49 4.2.10 Forest Act, 2049 (1993) .......................................................................................................... 49 4.2.11 Forest Regulations, 2051 (1995) ........................................................................................... 49 4.2.12 Land Acquisition Act, 2034 (1977) ....................................................................................... 50 4.2.13 Local Government Operation Act, 2074 (2017) .............................................................. 50 4.2.14 Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangement Act, 2074 (2017) ............................................... 50 4.2.15 Solid Waste Management Act 2068 (2011) ........................................................................ 50 4.2.16 Solid Waste Management Rules 2070 (2013) .................................................................... 51 4.2.17 Aquatic Animal Protection Act, 2018 (1961) (Amendment 2056) ............................... 51 4.2.18 Protected Area Management Regulations, 2017 BS (1997 AD) .................................... 51 4.2.19 Buffer Zone Area Management Regulations, 1996 BS (1996 AD) ................................ 51 4.2.20 National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 (1973) ......................................... 51 4.2.21 National Park and Wildlife Conservation Regulation 2030 (1974) ............................... 51 4.2.22 Plant Protection Act, 2064 (2007) ........................................................................................ 51 4.2.23 Labor Act, 2074 ........................................................................................................................ 52 4.2.24 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora International Trade Control Act, 2073 52

4.3 Guidelines and Manuals ....................................................................................................................... 52 4.3.1 National Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines, 2050 (1993) ........................ 52 4.3.2 Buffer Zone Management Guideline, 2056 ......................................................................... 52 4.3.3 EIA Guideline for Forestry Sector, 2052 (1995) ............................................................... 52 4.3.4 DoED Manuals ........................................................................................................................... 53 4.3.5 A guide to Environmental Monitoring of Hydropower Projects, 2006 ....................... 53 4.3.6 Community Forestry Inventory Guidelines, 2061 (2004) ............................................... 54 4.3.7 Environmental Management Guidelines (Road), 2054 (1997) ........................................ 54 4.3.8 National Health Care and Waste Management Guideline, 2059 (2002) ..................... 54 4.3.9 Work Procedure Regarding Use of National Forest Area for Projects of National Priority, 2074 ......................................................................................................................................... 54

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4.3.10 Working Policy on constructing and operating physical infrastructures in Protected Area 2065 (2008) .................................................................................................................................. 55 4.3.11 Concept Paper on Elimination of Energy Emergency and Electricity Development Decade, 2015 (2072) ........................................................................................................................... 56 4.3.12 Wildlife Damage Relief Guideline -jGohGt' af6 xg] Ifltsf] /fxt ;xof]u ;DaGwL lgbl{]zsf_, 2066 56 4.3.13 Forest Product Collection, Sales and Distribution Guideline, 2056 (2000) ............... 56 4.3.14 Community Forest Guidelines, 2058 (2001) ...................................................................... 56

4.4 International Conventions .................................................................................................................. 56 4.4.1 Convention on Biological Diversity, (1992) ....................................................................... 56 4.4.2 Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 57 4.4.3 International Labor Organization Convention (169), (1989) ......................................... 57 4.4.4 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (1992) ......................... 58 4.4.5 Ramsar Convention 1975 (Convention on wetland of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat) ......................................................................................................... 58

4.5 Standards ................................................................................................................................................ 59 4.5.1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nepal, 2060 (2003) ................................ 59 4.5.2 Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standards, 2069 (2012) ..................................................... 59 4.5.3 National Ambient Sound Quality Standard, 2069 (2012) ............................................... 59 4.5.4 Standard on Emission of Smoke in Air by New and Existing Diesel Generator, 2069 (2012) ...................................................................................................................................................... 59 4.5.5 National Water Quality Standard, 2064 (2008) ................................................................ 59 4.5.6 Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be discharged into Inland Surface Waters, 2003 59

4.6 Administrative Framework ................................................................................................................. 59 4.6.1 Central Level Administrative Framework ........................................................................... 59 4.6.2 Local Level Administrative Framework ............................................................................... 60

5 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION ...... 62

5.1 Physical Environment ........................................................................................................................... 62 5.1.1 Regional Geology ...................................................................................................................... 62 5.1.2 Project Geology ........................................................................................................................ 66 5.1.3 Geological Structures of the Project Area ......................................................................... 66 5.1.4 Geological conditions of the major project structures ................................................... 67 5.1.5 Slope instabilities, mass wasting, landslides and soil erosion .......................................... 70 5.1.6 Mineral resources in the project area ................................................................................. 70 5.1.7 Topography and Land Use Pattern ....................................................................................... 71 5.1.8 Geomorphology ........................................................................................................................ 71 5.1.9 Seismicity .................................................................................................................................... 71 5.1.10 Climate and Meteorology ....................................................................................................... 73 5.1.11 Catchment Characteristics ..................................................................................................... 73 5.1.12 Sankhuwa Khola Hydrology ................................................................................................... 75 5.1.13 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) .................................................................................. 78 5.1.14 Existing Water Pollution Discharges and Receiving Water Quality ............................. 79 5.1.15 Sedimentation ............................................................................................................................ 79 5.1.16 NoiseLevel and Air Quality .................................................................................................... 79

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5.1.17 Solid Waste Management Practice ....................................................................................... 79 5.2 Biological Environment ........................................................................................................................ 80

5.2.1 Regional Context ...................................................................................................................... 80 5.2.2 Vegetation and Forest Types of the Project Area ............................................................ 81 5.2.3 Protected Area, Buffer Zone and CommunityForests .................................................... 83 5.2.4 Ethno-botanical Information ................................................................................................... 84 5.2.5 Fauna ............................................................................................................................................ 84 5.2.6 Fish and Aquatic Life ................................................................................................................ 89 5.2.7 Rare, endangered, endemic and protected floral and faunalspecies ............................. 97

5.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ................................................................................... 99 5.3.1 The Project Districts ................................................................................................................ 99 5.3.2 Project Affected Rural Municipalities (Gaon Palikas), Wards and Project Area ..... 101 5.3.3 Project affected households ................................................................................................. 111

6 DESCRIPTIONON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ....................................... 124

6.1 Beneficial Impact ................................................................................................................................. 124 6.1.1 Construction Phase ................................................................................................................ 124 6.1.2 Operation Phase ..................................................................................................................... 125

6.2 Adverse Impact ................................................................................................................................... 128 6.2.1 Physical Environment ............................................................................................................. 128 6.2.2 Biological Environment .......................................................................................................... 134 6.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ...................................................................... 140

7 ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 149

7.1 No Action Option .............................................................................................................................. 149 7.2 Implementation of SKHP .................................................................................................................. 149 7.3 No forest area alternative ................................................................................................................ 150 7.4 Alternatives to project location ...................................................................................................... 150 7.5 Alternatives to project layouts ........................................................................................................ 150

7.5.1 Alternative Option 1 .............................................................................................................. 153 7.5.2 Alternative Option 2 .............................................................................................................. 155 7.5.3 Alternative Option 3 .............................................................................................................. 156 7.5.4 Alternative Option 4 .............................................................................................................. 158

7.6 Financial Analysis of all Options ...................................................................................................... 161 7.7 Conclusion and Recommendation .................................................................................................. 162

8 ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES ...................................... 164

8.1 Enhancement Measure ...................................................................................................................... 164 8.1.1 Construction Phase ................................................................................................................ 164 8.1.2 Operation Phase ..................................................................................................................... 164

8.2 Community Support Program (CSP) ............................................................................................. 165 8.2.1 Education Support .................................................................................................................. 165 8.2.2 Health Sector Support ........................................................................................................... 165 8.2.3 Drinking water support ......................................................................................................... 165 8.2.4 Irrigation Support ................................................................................................................... 165 8.2.5 Conservation of Local Forest and Biodiversity ............................................................... 166

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8.3 MitigationMeasure .............................................................................................................................. 166 8.3.1 Physical Environment ............................................................................................................. 166 8.3.2 Biological Environment .......................................................................................................... 170 8.3.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment ...................................................................... 175

9 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................. 181

9.1 Environmental Monitoring ................................................................................................................ 181 9.1.1 Monitoring Agency ................................................................................................................. 181 9.1.2 Monitoring Phase .................................................................................................................... 182

9.2 Environmental Impact Management Actions ................................................................................ 191 9.2.1 Permits and Approval Plan ................................................................................................... 191 9.2.2 Construction Camps Management Plan ............................................................................ 192 9.2.3 Construction/operation impact management plan ......................................................... 195 9.2.4 Other Management Plan ....................................................................................................... 206 9.2.5 Contractor’s Responsibility for Environmental and Social Compliance as per EMP 211 9.2.6 Environmental Management Activities – Implementing Organ .................................... 211

9.3 Environmental Audit .......................................................................................................................... 216 9.3.1 Environmental Audit Framework for SKHP ..................................................................... 217 9.3.2 Environmental Auditing Schedule ....................................................................................... 218

10 ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION, MONITORING, AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT COSTS ................................................................................... 220

10.1 Cost for Environmental Mitigation ................................................................................................. 220 10.2 Costs for Environmental Monitoring ............................................................................................. 223 10.3 Environmental Management Cost ................................................................................................... 224 10.4 Environmental Audit Cost ................................................................................................................ 224 10.5 Summary of Environmental Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Cost ......................... 224

11 COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT ........................................... 226

11.1 General .................................................................................................................................................. 226 11.2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 226

11.2.1 Net Present Value (NPV)...................................................................................................... 226 11.2.2 Internal Rate of Return (IRR) ............................................................................................... 226 11.2.3 Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) ..................................................................................................... 227

11.3 Project evaluation ............................................................................................................................... 227 11.3.1 Economic Analysis .................................................................................................................. 227 11.3.2 Financial analysis ...................................................................................................................... 227

12 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 230

BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................... 232

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LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A AGREEMENT LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

APPENDIX B SCOPING /TOR APPROVAL LETTER AND APPROVED SCOPING AND TOR

APPENDIX C1 PROJECT LAYOUT MAP

APPENDIX C2 PROJECT ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT MAPS

APPENDIX D PROJECT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

APPENDIX E ENERGY PRODUCTION AND WATER BALANCE

APPENDIX F CHECKLIST USED FOR THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

APPENDIX G CHECKLIST USED FOR THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

APPENDIX H QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY

APPENDIX I CHECKLISTS FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY

APPENDIX J PARTICIPANTS OF FGD

APPENDIX K NOTICE FOR PUBLIC HEARING

APPENDIX L DEEDS OF NOTICE AFFIXES

APPENDIX M PROOF OF INVITATION CIRCULATED AND PARTICIPANTS OF PUBLIC HEARING

APPENDIX N PROCEEDINGS OF PUBLIC HEARING

APPENDIX O BROCHURECIR CULATED IN PUBLIC HEARING

APPENDIX P DECLARATION FORMS

APPENDIX Q WATER QUALITY TEST

APPENDIX R LIST OF PLANTS FOUND IN AND AROUND THE PROJECT AREA AND ETHNOBOTANICAL INFORMATION

APPENDIX S QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

APPENDIX T LIST OF PROJECT AFFECTED FAMILIES

APPENDIX U RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FROM CONCERN RURAL MUNICIPALITIES

APPENDIX V AGREEMENT BETWEEN DOED AND CONSULTANT

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LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS ......................................................................... PAGE NO.

Photo 2-1: Proposed headworks area .................................................................................................................. 10 Photo 2-2: Proposed powerhouse location ........................................................................................................ 13 Photo 3-1: Vegetation survey carried out during the field visit ..................................................................... 32 Photo 3-2: Cast net used for fish sampling ......................................................................................................... 36 Photo 3-3: Public Hearing conducted atthe premises of Shree Sharaswati Aadharbhut Bidhyalaya,

Salpacilicho Ward No. 1 .................................................................................................................................... 39 Photo 5-1: Vegetation pattern of Gaudeni Lukuwa Community Forest ...................................................... 81 Photo 5-2: Vegetation in the headworks area .................................................................................................... 82 Photo 5-3: House Structures and Settlement Patterns .................................................................................. 105 Photo 5-4: Maize in Kolba, Tamku and Dana Garden in Bumling, Kulung ................................................ 107 Photo 6-1: Devithan located at Siktemtar ......................................................................................................... 144

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................ PAGE NO.

Table 2-1: Salient features of the project ............................................................................................................ 14 Table 2-2: Co-ordinates and Area of the Quarry site identified ................................................................... 19 Table 2-3: Crusher plant equipment and capacity ............................................................................................. 19 Table 2-4: Muck Volume Calculation.................................................................................................................... 20 Table 2-5: Capacity of Generator sets ................................................................................................................. 21 Table 2-6: Estimation of consumptioin of fuel .................................................................................................... 22 Table 2-7: Explosive material estimate ................................................................................................................. 23 Table 2-8: Estimates of the prermanent land requirement for project ........................................................ 24 Table 2-9: Estimates of the temporary land requirement for project .......................................................... 25 Table 2-10: Volume of Construction Materials required ................................................................................ 26 Table 2-11: Project activities having socio-environmental consequences ................................................... 26 Table 2-12: Flow regulation of Sankhuwa Khola during operation of the SKHP project ........................ 27 Table 3-1: Project component and direct impact area ..................................................................................... 29 Table 3-2: Project activities and indirect impact area ...................................................................................... 30 Table 3-3: Date time and location of air, noise and water sample collection in project area ................ 31 Table 3-4: Sampling stations along the Sankhuwa Khola stretch in the project area ............................... 35 Table 3-5: EIA Study Team ...................................................................................................................................... 41 Table 3-6: EIA Study Time Schedule ..................................................................................................................... 42 Table 5-1 Litho-tectonic division of the project area (Bordet, 1961 and Lombardo et al, 1963) ....... 65 Table 5-2 Proximity of the Major Faults of Nepal in the Project Area ........................................................ 67 Table 5-3 Rock mass distribution prediction along the headrace tunnel .................................................... 69 Table 5-4: Mineral constituent percentage ......................................................................................................... 70 Table 5-5 Catchment characteristics according to topography ..................................................................... 74 Table 5-6 Mean monthly flow generated from different methods ................................................................ 76 Table 5-7: Flood flow at Sankhuwa Khola in Intake location using various methods ............................... 78 Table 5-8 Flood flow at Arun River in Powerhouse location using various methods .............................. 78 Table 5-9: Community Forests and Buffer Zone Forests directly impacted by the project ................... 84 Table 5-10: Mammals reported in and around the project area .................................................................... 85 Table 5-11: Birds reported in and around the project area ........................................................................... 87

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Table 5-12: Herpeto-fauna found in the project Area ..................................................................................... 89 Table 5-13: Fish species in project area ............................................................................................................ 90 Table 5-14: Fish Species Recorded in the Sampling Stations .......................................................................... 90 Table 5-15: Species Composition and Dominancy Observed During Field Visit ....................................... 92 Table 5-16: Percentage Abundance at Sampling Stations (Caught by cast net).......................................... 92 Table 5-17: Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) at Different Sampling Stations .................................................. 92 Table 5-18: Migratory Pattern of Fish Species .................................................................................................... 93 Table 5-19: Migration Pathways of Migratory Fish Species in Different Seasons ....................................... 93 Table 5-20: Conservation Status of the Fish Species of Project Area .......................................................... 94 Table 5-21: Total number of Phytoplankton species ........................................................................................ 94 Table 5-22: Phytoplanktons Recorded at Different Sampling Sites ............................................................... 94 Table 5-23: Total number of Zooplankton ......................................................................................................... 96 Table 5-24: Zooplanktons Recorded at Different Sampling Sites .................................................................. 96 Table 5-25: Aquatic Insects Recorded in Different Sample Stations............................................................. 97 Table 5-26: Aquatic Insects Recorded at Different Sampling Stations ......................................................... 97 Table 5-27: Conservation status of floral species .............................................................................................. 97 Table 5-28: Conservation status of faunal species ............................................................................................ 98 Table 5-29: Households, population and average household size ................................................................. 99 Table 5-30: Population aged 5 years and above by literacy status and sex ................................................. 99 Table 5-31: Health institutions in the project districts .................................................................................. 100 Table 5-32 Main source of drinking water ........................................................................................................ 100 Table 5-33 Households by type of toilet ........................................................................................................... 100 Table 5-34 Households by usual type of fuel used for cooking ................................................................... 101 Table 5-35 Households by usual source of lighting ......................................................................................... 101 Table 5-36: Population in the project affected Wards ................................................................................... 102 Table 5-37: Caste and ethnic composition in the project Wards ............................................................... 102 Table 5-38: Population distribution by mother tongue in the project Wards ......................................... 103 Table 5-39: Households by outer wall of house/housing units .................................................................... 105 Table 5-40: Vulnerable and disadvantage groups in the project areas ....................................................... 106 Table 5-41: Working age population (15 to 59) year of the project wards ............................................. 107 Table 5-42: Households by type of toilet facilities .......................................................................................... 109 Table 5-43: Households by sources of drinking water ................................................................................... 109 Table 5-44: Households by Type of fuel used for cooking in the project Wards ................................... 110 Table 5-45: Households by source of lighting .................................................................................................. 110 Table 5-46 Distribution of Affected Population by Different Categories .................................................. 112 Table 5-47 Age and sex distribution of population ......................................................................................... 112 Table 5-48 Distribution of Population by Marital Status among all Affected Population ....................... 113 Table 5-49 Distribution of Affected Households by Religions ..................................................................... 113 Table 5-50 Distribution of Population by Literacy Status among the Affected Population Aged 5 Years

and Above ........................................................................................................................................................ 113 Table 5-51: Distribution of Literate Population by Level of Education among the Population Aged 5

Years and Above ............................................................................................................................................ 114 Table 5-52: Distributions of Affected Households by Types of Cooking Fuel Used .............................. 114 Table 5-53: Distribution of the Affected Households by Sources of Drinking Water ........................... 114

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Table5-54: Distribution of the Affected Households Reporting Toilet Facilities in their Current Residence ......................................................................................................................................................... 115

Table 5-55: Distribution of the Affected Households by Types of Toilet Facilities ................................ 115 Table 5-56: Distribution of Affected Households Reporting Accessed to Various Health Facilities .. 115 Table 5-57: Distribution of Affected Households Reporting Various Illnesses Occurred in the Family

during the Last Year ...................................................................................................................................... 117 Table 5-58: Distribution of Affected Households by Agricultural Land Ownership Status .................. 118 Table 5-59: Distributions of Affected Households Owning Different Types of Lands ........................... 118 Table 5-60: Average Size of Land Owned in Hectare .................................................................................... 119 Table 5-61: Distribution of Farmer Households Reporting Duration of Food Sufficiency ................... 119 Table 5-62 Distribution of HHs by their Copping Strategies against Food Deficit (Multiple Reponses)

............................................................................................................................................................................ 120 Table 5-63: Households Rearing Different Kinds of Livestock .................................................................... 120 Table 5-64: Average Annual Income from Various Sources for Affected Households .......................... 121 Table 5-65: Average Annual Expenditures of the Affected Households by Sources of Expenses ....... 121 Table 5-66: Distribution of Respondents by Perception about the Project ............................................. 122 Table 5-67: Distribution of Affected HHs by their preference on Modes of Compensation for the loss

of structures and other properties ............................................................................................................ 122 Table 6-1: Summary of Beneficial Environmental Impact ............................................................................... 126 Table 6-2: Summary of Adverse Physical Environmental Impact ................................................................. 132 Table 6-3: Vegetation (tree) loss in terms of species ..................................................................................... 134 Table 6-4: Losses of trees at different project components ......................................................................... 135 Table 6-5: Vegetation loss in terms of legal category of the forest ............................................................ 135 Table 6-6: Valuation of forest loss in terms of plant species ........................................................................ 135 Table 6-7: Summary of Adverse Biological Environmental Impact .............................................................. 139 Table6-8 Extent of loss of land by affected HH as a result of SKHP implementation ............................ 141 Table 6-9: Loss of tree from private land .......................................................................................................... 142 Table 6-10: Summary of Adverse Socio-economic and Cultural Environmental Impact ....................... 146 Table 7-1: Comparison of all options ................................................................................................................. 159 Table 7-2: Financial Analysis Summary of All Alternatives ............................................................................ 161 Table 9-1 Baseline Monitoring ............................................................................................................................. 183 Table 9-2 Compliance Monitoring ...................................................................................................................... 185 Table 9-3 Impact Monitoring ................................................................................................................................ 187 Table 9-4 Permits and Approval Plan ................................................................................................................. 192 Table 9-5 Construction Camps Management Plan .......................................................................................... 193 Table 9-6Construction/operation Impact Management Plan ........................................................................ 195 Table 9-7 Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan .................................................................................. 206 Table 9-8 Environmental Awareness and Training Plan ................................................................................. 207 Table 9-9 Accident and Emergency Management Plan ................................................................................... 207 Table 9-10 Traffic and Access Management Plan ............................................................................................. 208 Table 9-11 Site Restoration Plan ......................................................................................................................... 209 Table 9-12 Roles and Responsibilities of the Stakeholders ........................................................................... 212 Table 9-13 Environmental Audit for SKHP ....................................................................................................... 217 Table 10-1 Environmental Mitigation and Enhancement Cost ..................................................................... 220 Table 10-2 Environmental Monitoring Cost ..................................................................................................... 223 Table 10-3 Summary of the Project Environmental Costs ............................................................................ 224

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Table 11-1 Results of economic analysis ......................................................................................................... 227 Table 11-2 Results of financial analysis ............................................................................................................ 228

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................... PAGE NO.

Figure 2-1: Project Location in Nepal map ............................................................................................................ 6 Figure 2-2: Project location map............................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 5-1 Geological Map of Nepal showing project area ............................................................................. 63 Figure 5-2 Regional geological map of Arun Window after Bordet, 1961 and Lombard et al, 1963 . 64 Figure 5-3: Micro seismicity epicentre map of Nepal ....................................................................................... 72 Figure 5-4: Project location on seismic hazard map of Nepal ........................................................................ 72 Figure 5-5: Spatial distribution of annual precipitation in SKHP catchment ................................................ 73 Figure 5-6 Catchment areain Intake site and Powerhouse Site ..................................................................... 74 Figure 5-7 Flow duration curve at the intake ..................................................................................................... 77 Figure 5-8: Catchment Area of SKHP adopted from Google Earth ............................................................. 79 Figure 5-9 Project Location in Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone Area, Source: MBNP 2070

.............................................................................................................................................................................. 83 Figure 7-1: Layout Configuration of all alternatives ........................................................................................ 151 Figure 7-2: Alternative layout 1 of SKHP .......................................................................................................... 153 Figure 7-3: Alternative layout 2 of SKHP .......................................................................................................... 155 Figure 7-4: Alternative layout 3 of SKHP .......................................................................................................... 156 Figure 7-5: Alternative layout 4 of SKHP .......................................................................................................... 158 Figure 9-1 Organization Chart and Staffing of the Environmental Management Unit of SKHP

Hydropower Project ..................................................................................................................................... 215

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List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

BOD Biological Oxygen Demand

BZUG Buffer Zone Users Group

BZ Buffer Zone

CBO Community Based Organization

CBS Central Bureau of Statistics

CF Community Forest

CFUG Community Forest User Group

CITES Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora

DBH Diameter at breast height

DCC District Coordination Committee

DDC District Development Committee

DDO District Development Office

DFO Divisional Forest Office

DHM Department of Hydrology and Meteorology

DO Dissolved Oxygen

DoED Department of Electricity Development

DNPWC Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation

EA Environmental Assessment

ECDU Environment and Community Development Unit

EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

EMP Environmental Management Plan

EPA Environment Protection Act

EPR Environment Protection Rules

GLOF Glacial Lake Outburst Flood

GoN Government of Nepal

GWh Gigawatt hour

Ha Hectare

HCE Hydro-Consult Engineering Limited

HH Household

IEE Initial Environmental Examination

ILO International Labor Organization

INPS Integrated Nepal Power System

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature

km Kilometre

m Meter

masl Meter above sea level

mm Millimetre

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MOEWRI Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation

MoFE Ministry of Forests and Environment

Mw Magnitude

MW Mega Watt

NEA Nepal Electricity Authority

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

NTFP Non Timber Forest Product

OP Operational Policy

PAF Project Affected Family

PAP Project Affected Person

REDP Rural Energy Development Program

RM Rural Municipalities

RoR Run-of-the-River

RRA Rapid Rural Appraisal

SKECDU Sankhuwa Khola Environment and Community Development Unit

SKHP Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project

TDS Total Dissolved Solids

ToR Terms of Reference

TSS Total Suspended Solids

UNDRIP UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

VDC Village Development Committee

EIA of SKHP

E-xiii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (NEPALI)

sfo{sf/L ;f/fz+

! k[i7e"ld

;+v'Jffvf]nfhn ljB't cfof]hgf ef}uf]lns ;d;+Vos cIff+z @&)@%' $)''pQ/ b]lv @&)@*'#('' pQ/ / b]zf+t/ *&))%'))'' k"j{ b]lv *&) )*'#)'' k"j{ df cjl:yt 5 . h'g g]kfnsf] k|b]z gDa/ ! sf] ;+v'Jff;ef lhNnf / ef]hk'/ lhNnfdf kb{5 . o; cfof]hgfn]];+v'Jffvf]nfsf] kfgLnfO{ pkof]u ug]{5 h'g pRr lxdfnL If]q af6 pTkGg x'G5 . o; cfof]hgfsf] k|:tfjs ljB'tljsf; ljefu /x]sf] 5 . jftfj/0f ;+/If0f lgodfjnL, cg';'rL @ n];+v'Jffvf]nfhn ljB't cfof]hgfnfO{ jftfj/0fLo k|efj d"NofÍg (EIA)df ug'{kg]{ ;d'xdf ;'rLs[t u/]sf] 5 . o; jftfj/0fLo k|efj d"NofÍg k|ltj]bgg]kfn ;/sf/sf] cfjZostf nfO{ k/Lk"lt{ ug{ tof/ u/LPsf] 5 .

@ cfof]hgf cfof]hgfvf]nfsf] axfjdf cwfl/t(Run of the River)k|sf/sf] k|:tfljt $!=)^ d]ufjf6 Ifdtfsf] / l8hfOg l8:rfh{ !%=^* 3g dL6/ k|lt ;]s]08sf] /x]sf] 5 . ^ ld cUnf] jfFw;+v'Jffvf]nf/ l;;'jf vf]nfsf] bf]efg af6 sl/j !)) ld tn l;nLrf]ª ufpFkflnsf jf8{ g= ! sf] l;lS6d6f/ glhs} cjl:yt /xg]5 . vf]nfsf] bflxg] lsgf/fdf jfFw;+u} /x]sf] kfgLsf] k|j]z dfu{n] kfgL lyufg]{ kf]v/L (Settling basin) df kfgL k|jfx ug]{ 5 / To; kfgLnfO{ ^@# ld nfdf] x]8/]; kfO{k, $%^&ld nfdf];'?Ë / !))) ld nfdf] el6{sn ;fkm\6÷OgSnfO8 ;fkm\6÷k]g:6saf6a'dlnËufFp glhsc?0f gbLsf] bflxg] lsgf/fdf /x]sf] ;txdf /xg] ljB't u[xdf nlug]5 . cfof]hgfaf6 pTkflbt ljB'tnfO{ !&=% ls= ld= nfdf] l;Ën ;ls{6 !#@ s]= eL= k|;f/0f nfO{g dfkm{t t'dlnª6f/df k|:tfj ul/Psf] ;j:6];gdf nlug] 5 . cfof]hgfsf] ljlzi6 ?k(Salient Features)tnsf] tflnsf ! df lbOPsf] 5 .

Tfflnsf !M cfof]hgfsf] ljlzi6 ?k

ljifo ljj/0f

cfof]hgfsf] gfd ;+v'Jff vf]nf hn ljB't cfof]hgf

gbLsf] gfd ;+v'Jffvf]nf

:yfg ;+v'Jff;ef lhNNffsf] l;nLrf]ª ufpFkflnsf jf8{ g= !, #, $ / ef]hk'/ lhNnfsf] ;fNkfl;ln5f] ufpFkflnsf jf8{ g= ! / @

b]zf+t/ cIff+z

*&))%'))'' k"j{ @&)@*' #('' pQ/

*&))*'#)'' k"j{ @&)@*' #('' pQ/

*&))*'#)''k"j{ @&)@%' $)'' pQ/

*&))%'))''k"j{ @&)@%' $)'' pQ/

ljsf; k|sf/ vf]nfsf] axfjdf cwfl/t

afFw If]qsf] hnlj1fg

Hfnwf/ If]qafFw If]q ;Dd ##%=# ju{ lsnf]ld6/

l8hfO{g k|jfx !%=^* 3gld6/ k|lt;]s]08 -$) k|ltzt clwstfsf] ;Defjgf_

EIA of SKHP

E-xiv

ljifo ljj/0f

Hl8t Ifdtf $!=)^ d]ufjf6

af‘w

jfwFsf] lsl;d s+s|L6 jfFw

jfwFsf] nDafO{ / prfO{ $@ ld6/ nfdf] / ^ ld6/ cUnf]

kfgLsf] k|j]z dfu{ (Intake)

lsl;d c/lkm; 6fO{k ;fO{8 OG6]s

;+Vof / k|sf/ @=%ld6/ km/flsnf] / @=% ld6/ pRr -$j6f_

kfgL lyufg]{ kf]v/L(Settling basin)

*ld -Rff}8fO{_ x&.*ld -prfO{_x^) ld -nDafO{_ -$j6f_

x]8/]; kfO{k(Headrace Pipe)

nDafO{ / Jof; ^@# ld / @=* ld

x]8/]; ;'?Ë (Headrace Tunnel) nDafO{ $%^& ld6/

qm|;;]S;g leqL k/L;dfKt Jof; $ ld6/

cl86 ;'?Ë –! &$$ ld nfdf] / Jof; $ ld6/

;h{ ;fˆ6 lsl;d hldgd'gL]/xg]

eLlq Jof; ^ ld6/

prfO{ %*=% ld6/

cl86 ;'?Ë –@ !@* ld nfdf] / Jof; #=% ld6/

el6{sn ;fkm\6÷OgSnfO8 ;fkm\6÷k]g:6s Jof; @ ld ljefhg cl3

!=^ ld ljefhg kl5

nDafO{ #@ ld t];f]{ k]g:6s ;fkm\6, !@) ld 7f8f]el6{sn ;fkm\6, $&( ld k]g:6s ;fkm\6 / #^( ld ;tlx k]g:6s

df]6fO{ !) ldld b]lv #^ ldld

ljB't u[x (kfj/ xfp;) lsl;d ;txL

cfsf/ #) ld nfdf], !$=^ ld km/flsnf] / #! ld cUnf]

6]n/]; cfsf/ @=% ld -Rff}8fO{_ x@=* ld -prfO{_ -@ j6f_

#=% ld -Rff}8fO{_ x#=# ld -prfO{_ -! j6f_

EIA of SKHP

E-xv

ljifo ljj/0f

nDafO{ (&=% ld6/

6/jfOg

6/jfO{gsf] lsl;d km|flG;;

OsfO{ ;+Vof @ j6f

zlQm / phf{ pTkfb ;d|ut x]8 #!%=(@ ld6/

cg'dflgt cjlzi6 x]8 @(*=( ld6/

aflif{s cg'dflgt phf{ @##=(@ uLufjf6 306f

;'Vvf (Dry) df};dsf] phf{ &)=^( uLufjf6 306f

aiff{ (Wet) df};dsf] phf{ !^#=@# uLufjf6 306f

k|j]z dfu{

a'wjf/] b]lv a'dlnË6f/ (=)&@ lsnf] ld6/ - EIA n] g;d]6]sf]_

a'dlnË6f/ b]lv ljB't u[x )=($$ lsnf] ld6/

;h{ ;fˆ6b]lv s'n'Ë x]n'jfa]l; dfu{ )=(!&lsnf] ld6/

lgdf{0f cjlw # jif{

cfof]hgfsf cGo cfjZos ;'ljwfx?df OlGhlgo/, 7]s]bf/ / >ldsx?sf] lzlj/, 9'ËfvfgL÷j/f]kL6, lgdf0f{ zlQmx?, lu§L km'6fpg], ;+u|x :yfg, Joflrª Knf06 / d]sflgsn of8{, :kf]On nfO{ k|jGw ug]{ :yfg /x]sf 5g\ . oL ;a} ;'ljwfx? x]8jS;{ / ljB't u[x glhs /xg]5g\ .cfof]hgfsf nflu s/Lj !$=&)@ x]S6/ hldgsf] cfjZostf kg]{5 h;dWo] &=@)@x]S6/ :yfO{ ?kdf / &=%x]S6/ c:yfO{ ?kdf cfjZos kg]{5 .

lgdf0f{ cjlwdf s/Lj %)) sfdbf/x? b}lgs ?kdf cfjZos kg]{5 . cfof]hgfsf] lgdf0f{ # jif{df ;+kGg ul/g] of]hgf ul/Psf] 5 . cfof]hgfn] k|ToIf tyf ck|ToIf ?kdf ;+v'Jff;ef lhNNffsf] l;nLrf]ª ufpFkflnsf jf8{ g= !, #, $ / ef]hk'/ lhNnfsf] ;fNkfl;ln5f] ufpFkflnsf jf8{ g= !/ @ nfO{ k|efj kfb{5 .

# cWoogsf] k¢lt

;+v'Jffvf]nf hn ljB't cfof]hgfsf] jftfj/0fLo k|efj d"NofÍg (EIA),hn;|f]t If]qsf nlu /fli6«o jftfj/0fLo k|efj d"NofÍg lgb]{lzsf -v];|f @)%#_ / jftfj/0f ;+/If0f lgod, @)%$ -kl5Nnf] ;+;f]wg_ cg';f/ ul/Psf] 5 .

$ dgg ul/Psf sfg'g tyf lgod cfof]hgfn] g]kfn ;/sf/sf] ljleGg If]qut lgltx?, sfg'gx? / lgb]{lzsfx?nfO{ cfslif{t u/]sf] 5 h;nfO{ cfof]hgf lgdf{0f ug]{ kl/k|]Ifdf dgg ul/Psf] 5 .

% ljBdfg jftfj/0fLo cj:yf

cfof]hgf If]q ;d'lb| ;txaf6 #%*=)* ld= -ljB'tu[x_ b]lv ^&) ld -afw:yn_ sf] prfO{;Dd cjl:yt /x]sf] 5 . cfof]hgfsf] afw:yndf ;+v'Jff vf]nfsf] hnfwf/ If]q ##%=# ju{ ls=ld= /x]sf] 5 . ef}uf]lns ?kdf cfof]hgf If]q dWo kxf8L If]qdf kb{5 . cfof]hgf If]qsf] ef}uf]lnstfdf le/fnf 8fF8f, ;fFu'/f

EIA of SKHP

E-xvi

pkTosfx? / cUnf kxf8x? /x]sf 5g\ . oxfFpi0fxfjfkfgL kfOG5 . glhs}sf hnjfo' dfkg s]Gb|df clen]v ul/Psf] tYof+s cg';f/ ;+v'Jff vf]nfsf] hnfwf/ If]qdf jflif{s cf}zt @&&! ldlnld6/ kfgL kg]{ u/]sf] 5 . u|]gfO{6, cu]g gfO;, / sfPgfO{6 l;:6 d"Vo r§fgx?sf ?kdf cfof]hgf If]qdf /x]sf] kfOG5 . cfof]hgf lgdf{0f:yn glhs s'g} klg ;lqmo klx/f] b]lvPsf] jf pNn]v ePsf] 5}g . ;+v'Jff vf]nfsf] hnfwf/ If]qdf s'g} klg lxdtfn g/x]sf]n] lxdtfn km'6]/ cfpg] afl9sf] vt/f /x]sf] 5}g . ;+v'Jff vf]nfsf] kfgL afw:yn nuQ} dfly b]lv cfof]hgfsf] sd axfj If]qleq vfg]kfgL of]hgf, n3' hn ljB't, kfgL 3§ /l;+rfO{ k|of]hgdf pkof]u ePsf] 5}gt/ ;+v'Jff vf]nf c/0f gbLsf] ;+ud eGbf dfly Ps n3' hn ljB't cfof]hgf k|:tfj ul/Psf] 5. cf}ift dfl;s k|jfxsf] tYofs+ cg';f/ Og6]s -kfgLsf] k|j]z dfu{_ df Go"gtd k|jfx km]a|'j/L dlxgfdf %=@! 3gld6/ k|lt;]s]08 / clwstd k|jfx h'nfO{ dlxgfdf ^$=** 3gld6/ k|lt ;]s]08 /x]sf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]q u|fdL0f kl/kfZj{df cjl:yt ePsf]n] jfo", WjgL / hnsf] :t/ snsf/vfgfsf] k|b"if0fjf6 k|efljt 5}g .

cfof]hgfn] ;d]6]sf] If]qdf ldl>t rf}8fkft] h+unx? kfOG5 . cfof]]hgfn] cf]u6\g] If]qx?df kxfl8 ;fnsf] afx'Notf /x]sf] 5 / cGo jg:kltdf eg] lrnfpg], l;l/;, plQ;, lv/f]{, ufof] cflb kfOG5 . cfof]hgfsf] JolQmut hUufx?df ?b|fIfsf ?vx? klg kfOG5g\ . cfof]hgf If]qdf k|:tfljt cfof]hgf lgdf{0f ug{ hDdf #=!)$ x]S6/ If]qkmn a/fa/sf] agIf]q cfjZos kg{]5 . cfof]hgfsf] afw:yn If]q, afw:yn If]qdf /xg] OlGhlgo/, 7]s]bf/ / >ldsx?sf] lzlj/, / x]8/]; ;'?Ësf] s]lx efu dsfn' j?0f lgs'~hsf] dWojtL{ If]qdf /xsf] 5 . cfof]hgf If]qdf @% k|hfltsf :tgwf/L hgfj/, $) k|hfltsf r/f / !@ k|hfltsf peor/ tyf ;l/>Lk clen]v ul/Psf 5g\ . To;}u/L cfof]hgf If]qdf ;+v'Jffvf]nfdf ( k|hfltsf df5f clen]v ul/Psf 5g\ .

cfof]hgf k|efljt If]qsf] s'n hg;+Vof !!&(^-k'?if %*)# / dlxnf %((#_ /x]sf] 5 / cf};t 3/w"l/ ;FVof $=*# /x]sf] 5 . ax';+Vos hgtf s'n'Ë hftsf -%#=*^Ü_ 5g\ / To; afx]ssf hfltdf If]qL, d]jfxfË, /fO{, sfdL, tfdfË / cGo hfltsf /x]sf 5g\ .

cfof]hgf k|efljt #) 3/w'l/x? dWo] @# 3/w'l/x?sf] ;e]{If0f ul/Psf] lyof] . ;e]{If0f ul/Psf 3/w'l/x?sf] hDdf hg;+Vof !@$ -%!=^!Ü k"?if / $*=@*Ü dlxnf_ / cf}ift 3/w'/Lsf] cfsf/ %=#( /x]sf] 5 .;e]{If0f ul/Psf 3/w'l/x?dfIf]qL -%)Ü_ d"Vo hfltsf] ?kdf /x]sf] 5 eg] cGo hfltx?df s'n'Ë/ d]jfxfË hfltx? /x]sf 5g\ . &#=#*Ü n] lxGb' wd{ / @^=^@Ü n] ls/fFt wd{ dfGg]x? /x]sf 5g\ . ;fIf/tf b/ *%=(^Ü /x]sf] 5 . ;e]{If0f ul/Psf ;a} 3/w'l/x?df ljh'nLsf] ;'ljwfx? pknAw /x]sf] 5 .

^ ljsNkx?sf] ljZn]if0f ljgf cfof]hgf ljsNknfO{ c:jLsf/ ul/Psf] 5 . lsgsL o;n] gt b]zsf] jt{dfg phf{ ;+s6nfO{ j9f]Q/L ug{ dBt u5{ g cfof]hgf lgdf{0f If]qsf :yfgLo jfl;Gbfsf] ljsf; pT;'stf nfO{ dBt u5{ .

ljB't zlQmsf] cGo ljsNkx?nfO{ cl:jsf/ ul/Psf] 5 lsgsL hnljB't b]zdf k|r'/ dfqfdf /x]s]f gljs/0fLo phf{sf] >f]t xf] . hjsL cGo ljsNkx?n] phf{ ljsf;sf] nflu ljeLGg k|fljlws / k"gef{jL ljlQo ef/sf] ;fdgf ug'{ kg]{ x'G5 .

cfof]hgf :ynsf] ljsNkx?nfO{ lbOPsf] ef}uf]lns ;d;+Vosx?;+u d'Nof+sg u/LPsf] lyof] . jftfj0fLo tyf cly{s b[li6«sf]0fn] k|:tfljt :yn / l8hfOgsf] ljsNknfO{ pQd dflgPsf] 5 .

& k|d"v jftfj/0fLo k|efj

o; cfof]hgfn] lgdf{0fsf qmddf %)) j6f c:yfoL /f]huf/Lsf] cj;/ ;[hgf ug]{5 h;df :yfgLonfO{ k|fyldstf lbOg] 5 . o;sf cltl/Qm, sfdbf/sf] pkl:yltn] /f;g nufotsf] cfk'lt{ ;DaGwL cGo Jofkf/sf] cj;/ k|bfg ug]{5 . o; cfof]hgfn] :yfgLo:t/df k'jf{wf/ tyf ;fdflhs ;]jfsf] ljsf;df d2t k'¥ofpg] 5 h;n] :yfgLosf] hLjg:t/df ;'wf/ Nofpg] 5 . ;+rfngsf qmddf :yflgo hgtfnfO{

EIA of SKHP

E-xvii

:yfoL /f]huf/sf] cj;/ ;[hgf ug]{5 . ;a} eGbf dxTjk"0f{, o;n] k|lt jif{ @##=(@ luufjf6 3G6f ljh'nL pTkfbg u/L b]zdf /x]sf] phf{ ;+s6 s]lx xb;Dd ;dfwfg ug{ d2t ug]{5 . ;/sf/n] /fhZj / /f]olN6sf] ?kdf cltl/Qm cfdbfgL ug]{5 h;sf] dxTjk"0f{ lx:;f k|efljt If]qsf] ljsf;df vr{ ug{ kfOg]5 . cfof]hgf k|efljt If]qdf ;~rfng ul/g] ;fIf/tf jf cf}krfl/s–cgf}krfl/s lzIff, ;Lk ljsf; / cfo–cfh{gsf tflndn] :yfgLo ;/f]sf/jfnfnfO{ yk cj;/ l;h{gf x'g]5 .

cGo ljsf; cfof]hgfx? h:t} o; cfof]hgfn] klg ;sf/fTds / gsf/fTds b'j}vfn] c;/ kfg]{ 5 . cfof]hgfn] ;/sf/L / lghL u/]/ hDdf !$=&)@x] hUuf :yfoL / c:yfoL ?kdf csf]{ e"–pkof]udf kl/0ft ug]{5 . lgdf{0f ;DalGw ultljlw h:t} pTvgg\, 9fn s6fg, ;Dofpg] cflbn] :yfgLo e'agf]6nfO{ kl/jt{g ug]{5, 9fnnfO{ sdhf]/ agfpg], e"Ifo a9fpg] / gbLsf] kfgLdf wldnf]kgf a9fpg]5 . lgdf{0f sfo{, lgdf{0f ;fdlu|sf] 9'jfgL, pTvgg\, l8«lnª, Anfl:6ª, x]le OlSjkd]G6sf] ;+rfng, qmz/ ;+rfng cflb sfo{n] jftfj/0fdf w'jf, w'nf], WjgL cfbL pT;h{g u/L jftfj/0fnfO{ k|b'lift agfpg]5 . lgdf{0fhGo / SofDksf] 3/]n' kmf]x/d}nf / 9nsf] sf/0f hn / hldg k|b'if0f x'g] ;Defjgf /xG5 . ;+rfngsf qmddf jftfj/0fsf] ef}lts cjojdf kg]{ c;/ vf]nfsf] axfj, kmf]x/d}nf / sd{rf/L cfjf;sf] 9n Joj:yfkg;Fu ;DalGwt 5g\ .

cfof]hgfn] jftfj/0fsf] h}ljs cjojdf kfg]{ k|efjsf] ;DaGwdf jg / jg:kltdf kg]{ k|efjnfO{ dxTjk'0f{ dfGg ;lsG5 . cfof]hgf / o;sf ;xfos ;+/rgfx?sf] lgdf{0fsf] nflu s'n #=!)$ x]S6/ jgn] cf]u6]sf] hUuf lng'kg]{ x'G5 . cfof]hgf lgdf{0f ubf{ jgaf6 s'n !%)%j6f ?vx? sf6\g' kg]{ b]lvG5 . o;sf cltl/Qm jghËnaf6 pknAw x'g] jg k}bfjf/ tyf ;]jfsf] klg Ifo x'G5 . To;}u/L cfof]hgffsf sfdbf/ / u}/sfdbf/n] ug{ ;Sg] sf7bfp/fsf] k|of]u, u}/ sfi7 jg k}bfjf/sf] k|of]u, h+unL hLjhGt'sf] rf]/L–l;sf/Ln] jgnfO{ k|ToIf k|efj kfg]{ ;Defjgf /xG5 . o;n] ubf{ :yfgLo h}ljs ljljwtf / ltgsf] jf;:yfgdf gsf/fTds k|efj kg{ ;Sb5 .

cfof]hgf ;+rfng cjwLdf jfFwn] hnr/Lo lhjx?nfO{ k'/\ofpg] /f]sfj6nfO{ dxTjk"0f{ gsf/fTds k|efj dflgPsf] 5 . To;}u/L vf]nfsf] kfgLnfO{ jfFw If]qjf6 df]8\g' klg hnr/Lo kof{j/0f ;d:of ;+u ;DjlGwt 5 . lsgeg] o;n] ;+v'Jff vf]nfsf] jfFw If]q b]lv c?0f vf]nfsf] ;+ud :yn;Ddsf] kfgLsf] dfqfnfO{ sd ub{5 .

lgdf{0f ultljlwaf6 pTkGg x'g] WjgL / sDkgn] / rf]/L–l;sf/Ldf sfdbf/sf] ;+nUgtfsf sf/0f jGohGt'sf] ;+Vofdf gsf/fTds c;/ kfg]{5 . jgsf] Iflos/0f / cfof]hgfsf] ;+/rgfsf] pkl:yltsf sf/0f jGohGt'sf] cfjfudgdf :yfoL ?kdf c;/ kg]{5 . lgdf{0f ultljlwn] ;[hgf ug]{ c;xh kl/l:yltsf sf/0f jGohGt'sf] cfjfudg, r/g / cGo Jojxf/df c;/ ug]{5 . gbL k|b'if0f, wf/ tyf jxfj kl/jt{gsf sf/0f df5f nufot hnLo kfl/l:yltsLo k|0ffnLdf gsf/fTds c;/ kg]{ b]lvG5 .

cfof]hgfjf6 x'g] em08} !=(^% x]S6/ hldgsf] :yfoL clwu|x0fn] #) 3/w'/Lx?nfO{ k|ToIf ?kdf k|efj kf5{ . hldgsf] :yfoL clwu|x0fn] s'g} klg 3/w'/Lx? ef}lts / cfly{s ?kdf :yfgfGt/0f x'g' kg]{ eg] 5}g . s[lifof]Uo hldgdf ljsf;sf ;+/rgf agfpbf To;df x'g] pTkfbg 36\g]5 . lgdf{0fdf sfd ug]{ sfdbf/ / cGo Joj;flos cj;/sf] vf]lhdf cfpg] le8sf sf/0f :yfgLo ;]jf;'ljwf ;DaGwL ;+w;:yf h:t} ljBfno, :jf:Yo ;+:yf, vfg]kfgL ljt/0f k|0ffnL, k|zf;lgs ;]jf, sfg"gL ;]jf, :yfgLo ahf/df cltl/Qm bjfj kg'{sf ;fy} ;du| ;/;kmfO{df k|efj kg]{5 . :yfgLo / jfx\o sfdbf/sf ljrdf åGb ;[hgf x'g ;Sb5 . sfdbf/x?sf] Joj;fl;s :Jff:Yo / ;'/Iff klg dxTjk"0f{ ljifo xf] . hf]lvdk"0f{ sfo{df gfjfnssf] k|of]u, n}+lus Pj+ hftLo lje]bsf] klg ;d:of x'g ;Sb5g\ . zf/Ll/s lgs6tfsf sf/0f 3fts of}g/f]ux? km}lng] ;Defjgf klg /xG5 . ;+rfnsf qmddf lgdf{0fhGo /f]huf/Lsf] / cj;/sf] cGTosf sf/0f :yfgLo hgtfsf] cfly{s ultljlw k|efljt x'g] b]lvG5 .

* gsf/fTds k|efj Go"gLs/0f tyf ;sf/fTds k|efjsf] a9f]Q/L

*=! gsf/fTds k|efj Go"gLs/0f

EIA of SKHP

E-xviii

jftfj/0fLo tyf ;fdflhs k|efj Go"gLs/0fsf] k|lqmof cjnDag ug]{ lhDd]jf/L k|d'v ?kdf k|jw{ssf] /xG5 . jftfj/0fLo tyf ;fdflhs ;'wf/sf pkfo tyf lqmofsnfkx?sf] sfof{Gjogsf] nflu cfj:os jh]6 klg oxfF 5'6\ofOPsf] 5 . sa'lnotdf lnOPsf] hldg hUufwgLnfO{ k'j{jt l:yltdf kmsf{Og] 5 . s[lifof]Uo hUufsf] dlnnf] df6f] Ifo x'g glbg To;nfO{ ;+sng u/]/ ;'/lIft :yfgdf e08f/0f ul/g]5.

le/sf]] s6fO{ ubf{ To;n] yfDg ;Sg] u/L dfq ul/g]5 . 7f8f / t];f{ gfnfx?sf] lgdf{0f ul/ e"IfonfO{ sd ul/g]5 . tNnf] t6Lo If]qdf ;'/IffTds kvf{n, tyf t6aGw lgdf{0f ul/ gbLsf] :j?knfO{ ;'/Iff k|bfg ul/g]5 . gbLhGo pkhsf] pTvgg\ tyf ;+sng ubf{ gbLsf] :j?knfO{ xfgL gk'¥ofO{ ul/g]5 . w'nf] p8\g glbg k|d'v ;8sdf / sfo{:yndf kfgL 5ls{g] Joj:yf ldnfOg]5 . ;jf/L;fwgsf] lgoldt r]s hfFr u/L To;af6 x'g] k|b'if0fsf] ;DaGwdf cfjZos sbd rflng]5 . kmf]x/d}nfnfO{ To;sf] k|sf/ cg';f/ 5'6\ofO{ Pj+ l/tn] Joj:yfkg ul/g]5 . sfdbf/sf] ;+Vofsf] cfWff/df rlk{ / kfgLsf] Joj:yf ldnfOg]5 . lgdf{0fsf qmddf pTkfbg x'g] df6f]nfO{ vfN6fv'N6L k'g{sf] nflu k|of]u ul/g]5 / afFsL plrt 9Ën] Joj:yfkg ul/g]5 . c:yfoL ;+/rfgfx? cfof]hgf ;DkGg ePkl5 x6fOg]5 .

;/sf/L jg If]q / Toxfaf6 sfl6g] ?vsf] IftLk"tL{ jg tyf e"–;+/If0f k|rlnt sfg"gn] tf]s] adf]lhd ul/g] 5 . cfof]hgfn] cf]u6]sf] jg If]q a/fa/sf] hUuf lsgL ;/sf/nfO{ :jfldTj x:tfGt/0f ul/g] 5 . sf6\g'kg]{ ?vx?nfO{ cWofjlws u/L, lrGx nfufO{ cfjZos dfqfdf dfq sl6g]5 . ;/sf/L jgaf6 sfl6g] k|To]s ?vsf] abnfdf @% jf6f :yfgLo k|hfltsf lj?jfsf] jgIf]qsf] Ifltk"lt{jfkt lbOPsf] jftf]lsPsf] :yfgdf j[Iff/f]k0f ul/g] 5 . ksfpg] ttfpg] k|of]hgsf] nflu bfp/fsf] k|of]u sd ug{ sfdbf/sf nflu dl§t]n jf Uof;sf] Joj:yf ldnfOg]5 . sfdbf/nfO{ rf]/Llzsf/L ug{ / jg k}bfjf/x?sf] ;+sng ug{ /f]s nfufOg] 5 / o;sf] Joj:yf cfrf/ ;+lxtf dfkm{t ul/g]5 .jfFwjf6 vf]nfdf dfl;s k|jfxsf] !) k|ltzt kfgL jftfj/0fLo k|jfxsf] nflu 5f]l8g]5 / jfFwjf6 tNnf]tl6o vf]nfdf jftfj/0fLo k|jfxsf] sfof{GjognfO{ pko"Q ?kdf ul/g]] 5 . df5f k|hfltx?df kg]{ c;/ sd ug{ lkm; Nof8/ (fish lader) sf] Joj:yf ul/g] 5 . lgdf{0f sfo{nfO{ lbgsf] ;dodf dfq l;ldt ul/g]5 . cgfjZos pHofnf] alQx? Aflng] 5}g . t]n / /;fogx? ;xL tl/sfn] pkof]u ul/g]5 . kmf]x/d}nf Joj:yfkgsf] plrt k|jGw ldnfOg]5.

hUufwlg;Fusf] bf]xf]/f] ;dembf/L cg';f/ cfjZos hUuf k|flKtsf] s'/f] ldnfOg]5 . c:yfoL ;+/rgf h:t} sfdbf/sf] c:yfoL cfjf;, e08f/0f:yn cfbL sa'lnot jf ef8fdf lnOg]5 . v]taf/Ldf ePsf] jfnL gfz x'g] cj:yfdf To;sf] k|rlnt ahf/d'Nosf] cfwf/df plrt Ifltk'lt{ lbOg]5 . :yfgLo ;]jf ;'ljwfdf bjfj sd ug{ 7]s]bf/n] b}lgs pkef]Uo cfjZostf h:t} vfg] kfgL, ;+rf/, ljh'nL tyf vfgf ksfpg] OGwg, cflbsf] Joj:yf SofDkleq} ug]{ 5 . lgdf{0f ultljlwsf sf/0f s'g} ef}lts ;+/rgfdf Iflt x'g uPdf To;sf] k'glg{df{0f jf k'g:yf{kgf ul/g] 5 . k|efljt If]qsf :jf:Yo tyf lzIf0f ;+:yfsf] ;'wf/sf] nflu cfjZos ;xof]u k|bfg ul/g]5 . vfg]kfgL tyf l;+rfO{sf ;DaGwdf pknAw ljsNkx?sf] klxrfg ug]{ / ljBdfg ;|f]tx?sf] ;+/If0f ug]{ sfo{sf] nflu k|fljlws tyf cfly{s ;xof]u pknAw u/fOg]5 . sfdbf/nfO{ /S;L vfg] / h'jf v]Ng] h:tf s[ofsnfkdf ;+nUg g/xg k|]l/t ul/g]5 . :yfgLo AolQmnfO{ cfof]hgfsf] /f]huf/Ldf k|fyldstf lbOg] 5 . k]zfut :jf:Yo / ;'/Iffsf] ;/f]sf/sf nflu cfjZos tof/L ul/g] 5 . sfdbf/x?nfO{ x]Nd]6, kGhf, a'6, ;'/IffTds k]6L, r:df, df:s cflb k|bfg ul/g] 5 . lgdf{0f / e08f/0f:yndf cgflws[t k|j]z / ultljlw /f]Sg vt/fsf ;+s]tx?, 5]saf/ Pj+ kfn]sf] Joj:yf ul/g] 5 . gfjfnsnfO{ sfdbf/sf] ?kdf k|of]u ul/g]5}g . cfof]hgfn] ln+u / hftsf] cfwf/df lje]b ug]{5}g . dfgj cf];f/k;f/nfO{ glhs af6 lgu|fgL ug]{ Joj:yf ldnfOg]5 . lgdf{0f kZrft klg cfly{s s[ofsnfkdf :yfgLonfO{ ;+nUg u/fpg a}slNks lhljsf]kfh{gsf ;DaGwdf ljleGg tflndx? lbOg]5 .

cfof]hgf k|efljt kl/jf/x?nfO{ cfof]hgfn] lng] pgLx?sf] hUuf tyf ;DklQsf] nflu ;d'lrt Ifltk'lt{ lbOg]5 . pgLx?nfO{ cfof]hgf ;DalGw /f]huf/Lsf cj;/x?df / cfof]hgfn] ;~rfng ug]{ ljleGg lsl;dsf tflndx?df klxnf] k|fyldstf lbOg]5 .

*=@ ;sf/fTds k|efjsf] a9f]Q/L

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cfof]hgfn] ;fd"bflos ;fxfotf sfo{s|d cGt/ut cfof]hgf nfutsf] )=&%Ü /sd 5'§fPsf] 5 / ljleGg ef}lts tyf ;]jf k|bfossf sfo{s|dx? tyf ljleGg tflndx?cfof]hgfn] k|bfg ug]{5 .

( Jftfj/0fLo Aoj:yfkg of]hgf jftfj/0fLo Aoj:yfkg of]hgfn] cfof]hgfsf lqmofsnfkx?sf] nflu k"j{ lgdf{0fsfn, / ;+rfngsfndf ul/g] jftfj/0fLo cg'udg cfwf/ /]lvo cg'df]bg / k|efj cg'udg nfO{ ;dfj]; ub{5 . cg'udg–cfwf//]lvo, cg'df]bg / k|efj cg'udgnfO{ ;dfj]z ub{5 . cg'udgsf] nflu dfkg ug{{ ;lsg] ;'rsx?sf] >]0fLsf] 5gf]6 ul/Psf]5 . / ;fy} cg'udg ug]{ t/Lsfx? cg'udgsf] jf/Dj/tf cg'udg ul/g] :yn / cg'udgs]f nfuL lhDd]jf/ sfo{sf/LnfO{ ;dj]z u/LPsf] 5 / ;fy} cg'udgsf nfuL cfjZos kg]{ nfut klg lbOPsf] 5 .

cfof]hgf k|efljt If]qdf cfof]hgf lgdf{0f / ;+rfngsf jftfj/0fLo kIf nfO{ pko'Qm lx;fan] cffof]hgf hLjg rqmdf ;'gLZrLt ug{ ;+v'Jff vf]nfhnljB't cfof]hgf Joj:yfkg, k|fylds hLDd]jf/ ;+:yf ePsf]n] o; jftfj/0Lo Joj:yfkg of]hgfdf zt{sf;fy cl3 ;fl/Psf d'Vo tTjx?nfO{ sfof{Gjog ug]{5 . jftfj/0Lo Joj:yfkg of]hgfsf b'O{ k'/sx? x'g]5g\ – jftfj/0Lo Joj:yfkg ult / sfof{Ggog ug]{ cË .

cfof]hgf jftfj/0fLo Joj:yfkg lqmofsnfkx?nfO{ tnsf lzif{sx?df lj:tf/Lt ?kdf ;dfj]z u/LPsf] 5 – cg'dtL / :jLs[t of]hgf jftfj/0fLo tfnLd of]hgf k'g/jf; / k'g:yfkgf of]hgf lgdf{0f lzlj/ / 6«flkms Joj:yfkg o]fhgf, k|b'if0f Go"gLs/0f of]hgf, hldgL kof{j/0f Joj:yfkg of]hgf, hnr/Lo kof{j/0f Joj:yfkg of]hgf, e"–Ifo Go"lgs/0f tyf ds ÷ :KjfOn Aoj:yfkg of]hgf, hg:jf:Yo tyf Joj;foLs ;'/Iff Joj:yfkg of]hgf, cfsl:ds Joj:yfkg of]hgf / k'g:yf{kgf of]hgf . dflysf of]hgfdf pNn]lvt tTjx? ;t{sf ;fy cfof]hgfsf] hLjgrqm ;+u;u} hfg]5g\ .

g]kfnL jftfj/0fLo ;+/If0f gLodfjnL adf]hLd cfof]hgfsf] jftfj/0Lo Joj:yfkgsf] bfloTj k|:tfjssf] x'G5 . l8hfOg ul/Psf cg'udgsf of]hgfx? tyf jftfj/0Lo Joj:yfkg of]hgfnfO{, ;/f]sf/jfnfdf plrt l/tn] ;'lgl:rt sfof{Gjog, cg'udg, d"Nofsg, ;'–;'lrt u/L k|ltls|of lng / ;'wf/ ug{ ;+v'Jffvf]nf hn ljB't cfof]hgftyf kL Pd cf] n] cnu jftfj/0f tyf ;d'bfo ljsfz PsfO sf] :yfkgf ug]{5 . k|:tfljt jftfj/0f tyf ;d'bfo ljsfz PsfO sf] d'Vou/L rf/ j6f sfo{x? x'g]5 . klxn]f o;n] k|efljt kIfx?sf] hUuf tyf ;Dkltsf] clwu|x0f, k'g{Zjf; tyf k'g{:yfkgfsf] sfof{Gjog tyf sfo{ lgikfbg ug]{5 . bf];|f]df o;n] j9f]Q/Lsf sfo{qmdx?sf] cfof]hgf k|efljt If]qx?df sfof{Gjog tyf sfo{ lgKkfbg ug]{5 . t];|f]df o;n] cfof]hgfsf ;/f]sf/jfnfx?df ;"rgf k|rf/Lt ug'{sf] ;fy} ljleGg lgsfox?nfO{ ;+of]hLt ug]{5 . rf}yf]df o;n] jftfj/0fLo tyf ;fdflhs pkfox? / logsf sfdsfhsf] cg'udg ug]{5 . h'g jftfj/0fLo Aoj:yfkg of]hgf tyf jftfj/0fLo cg'udg of]hgf jdf]lhd x'g]5 .

cfof]hgfsf] jftfj/0f tyf ;d'bfo ljsfz PsfOsf] :yfkgf cfof]hgfsf] l;eLn lgdf{0f sfo{sf] lg0f{o ug'{ eGbf 5 dlxgf klxn] ul/g]5 . cfof]hgfdf ;+nUg ljleGg ;/f]sf/jfnfx?n] ljleGg ;:yfx?sf] k|ltlglwTj u5{g\ . To;}n] k/:kl/o lgsfo ;dGjosf] h?/t k5{ . ;+v'Jff vf]nfhnljB't cfof]hgf Joj:yfkg sfof{nosf] jftfj/0f tyf ;d'bfo ljsfz PsfO k/:kl/o lgsfo ;dGjo ug]{ d'Vo lgsfo x'g]5 . lsgls o;nfO{ cfof]hgf :yndf ;"rgf k|rf/Lt ug{ / cfof]hgfsf] ;"rgf s]Gb| ;+rfng ug]{ k|d'v sfo{sf] nfuL lgo'Qm u/LPsf] 5 . :yflgo ;/f]sf/jfnfx? ljz]if u/L cfof]hgf k|efljt If]qsf lhNnf, ufpFkflnsf/ jf8{ ;+jlGwt ;/f]sf/jfnfx?;+u 5nkmnnfO{ Joj:yf ug{ jftfj/0f tyf ;d'bfo ljsfz PsfO k|d'v lhDd]jf/ x'g]5g\ . cfof]hgfsf ultljlwx?, k|ultx? / kIfx?sf] d"Vo ;"rgf lbgsf nflu jftfj/0f tyf ;d'bfo ljsfz PsfO k|d'vn] sDtLdf b'O{ dlxgfsf] Ps k6s k/:k/Lo ;dGjo 5nkmn jf]nfpg] 5g\ h;n] ;xefuLo ljlw dfkm{t ljjfb cflbsf] ;dfwfg ug]{5. ;/f]sf/jfnfx?n] p7fPsf] rf;f]x?sf] sfo{k|ult ;DjGwL ;'emfjx?nfO{ :yflgo ;/f]sf/jfnfx? ;+usf]] 5nkmndf afl8g]5g\ . ;+v'Jff

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vf]nfhnljB't cfof]hgfsf] jftfj/0fLo n]vf kl/If0f cfof]hgf ;dfkgsf] b'O{ jif{ kl5 z'? ul/g]5 . ;+v'Jff vf]nfhnljB't cfof]hgfn] n]vf k/Lif0fsf] nfuL cfjZos k|jGw g]kfn ;/sf/ jf cGo dgf]gLt n]vf k/LIfs dfkm{t ug]{5 .

!) jftfj/0fLo Go"gLs/0f, cg'udg, n]vf k/LIf0f tyf Joj:yfkg nfut

cfof]hgfsf] s'n jftfj/0fLo nfut g]? *#,!&),)## -cfof]hgfsf] l;len nfut afx]ssf]_ xf] .

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 Background Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP)located in between the geographical coordinates, latitudes 2725'40” N to 2728'39” N and longitudes 8705'00” E to 8708'30”E in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur Districts of Province Number 1 of Nepal.This project will utilizes water resources of the Sankhuwa Khola, a natural river originated from high Himalayas. Department of Electricity Development (DOED)is the project proponent.The Environment Protection Rule Schedule I1 classifies SKHP as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) category project. This Environmental Impact Assessment Report is prepared to meet the requirements of the Government of Nepal.

2 The Project The project is a run-of-river (R-o-R) type with a proposed installed capacity of 41.06 MW with a design discharge 15.68 m3/s (40 percentile flow). The diversion weir of height 6 m will be constructed about 100 m downstream from the Sakhuwa Khola Sisuwa Khola confluence near Siktimtar in Ward no. 1 of Silichong Rural Muncipality. The intake on the right bank will feed the settling basin and is diverted to the surface Powerhouse located at the right bank of the Arun River atBumling village in Ward no. 1 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipalitythrough 623 m long headrace pipe, 4567 m long headrace tunnel and 1000 m long vertical shaft/inclined shaft/penstock. A 17.5 km long 132 kV single circuit transmission line from powerhouse to the proposedsubstation at Tumlingtar will be used for evacuation of energy generated by the Project.The salient features of the project are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Salient Features of the Project

Descriptions Parameters Project name Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP) Name of the River Sankhuwa Khola Location Ward no. 1, 3 and 4 of Silichong Rural Muncipality of

Sankhuwasabha district and Ward no. 1 and 2 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality of Bhojpur district

Latitudes and Longitudes 2728’ 39” N and 8705’ 00” E 2728’ 39” N and 8708’ 30” E 2725’ 40” N and 8708’ 30” E 2725’ 40” N and 8705’ 00” E

Type of power plant Type Run-of-river

Hydrology Catchment area at intake site 335.3 km2 Design flow 15.68 m3/s (40% probability of exceedance) Capacity 41.06 MW

Diversion weir Type Concrete weir Length and Height of weir 42.0 m long and 6 m high

Intake chamber Type Orifice type side intake Size of opening 2.5 m (W) x 2.5 m (H) (4 Nos.)

Settling basin 8 m (W) x 7.8 m (D) x 60 m (L) – 4 nos

Headrace Pipe Length and Diameter 623.0 m and 2.8 m

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Headrace tunnel Length 4567.0 m Cross-section 4.0 m dia. Tunnel Adit – 1 744.0 m long and 4.0 m dia.

Surge shaft Type Underground Internal diameter 6.0 m Height 58.5 m Tunnel Adit -2 128.0 m long and 3.5m dia.

Vertical shaft / Inclined shaft / Penstock Diameter 2.0 m before bifurcation

1.6 m after bifurcation Length 32 m horizontal embedded penstock shaft, 120 m

long vertical shaft, 479 m long inclined embedded penstock shaft, 369 m long surface penstock

Thickness 10 mm to 36 mm Powerhouse

Type Surface Size 30.0 m long, 14.6 m wide and 31.0 m high

Tailrace Size 2.5 m (W) x 2.8 m (H) (2 Nos.)

3.5 m (W) x 3.3 m (H) (1 No.) Length 97.5 m

Turbines Type Francis No of units 2 Nos.

Power and Energy output Gross head 315.92 m Net head 298.9 m Mean annual energy per year 233.92 GWh Dry energy 70.69 GWh Wet energy 163.23 GWh

Access Road Budhabare to Bumling 9.072 km (not a scope of thisEIA study) Bumling to Powerhouse 0.944 km Surgeshaft to Kulung Heluwabesi Marga 0.917 km

Construction Period 3 Years

Other project facility requirements are the camps for engineers, contractors, and labours; quarry/burrow pits; construction powers, aggregate crushing, storage yards, Batching plants and mechanical yards; spoil disposal sites etc. All of these facilities will be located close to the headworks and powerhouse sites. A total of 14.702 ha of land will be required for the project. Of the total, 7.202ha is permanent land requirement while 7.5ha are temporarily required.

A total of about 500 construction workforce is required on daily basis during construction period. The project is planned for construction within a period of three years. The project will affect either directly and/or indirectly Ward no. 1, 3 and 4 of Silichong Rural Muncipality (l;nLrf]ªufpFkflnsf) of Sankhuwasabha district and Ward no. 1 and 2 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality (;fNkfl;ln5f]ufpFkflnsf) of Bhojpur district.

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3 Study Methodology This Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study of Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP) has been carried out in accordance to the National EIA guidelines for water resource sector (Draft 2053) and Environment Protection Rules (EPR), 2054 (with latest amendments).

4 Legal aspects and Compliance requirements A number of over-arching and sectoral policies, legislations, and guidelines of the Government of Nepal are attracted by the project, which have been reviewed in the context of the project development.

5 Existing Environmental Condition The elevation varies from 354.08m amsl at Powerhouse area to 670 m amsl at the weir. The catchment of SKHP at headworks is 335.3sq.km. The project area lies in the middle mountain physiographic zone. The project area has a rugged topography with steep hills and deep river valleys. The project area experiences tropical climate. According to the data recorded in the nearest meteorological stations, mean annual rainfall in Sankhuwa catchment is 2771 mm. Granite, augen gneiss and kyanite schist are the main rock type in the project area.No evidences of active landslides were observed near to the project construction sites. There is no risk of GLOF and its impact on the project structures.Water from the Sankhuwa Khola does not find any consumptive use like drinking water supply, micro-hydro, water mills and irrigation purposesat the immediate upstream and throughout the low flow zone of the project; however one micro-hydro project has been proposed just upstream of the confluence of the Sankhuwa Khola and the Arun River. The average monthly flow data reflects that the lowest flow of 5.21 m3/sec during the month of February and highest flow recorded 64.88 m3/sec in the month of July at the proposed intake site of the project. Since the area is located in rural natural setting, the ambient air quality, water quality and noise levels are not influenced by the industrial pollutions.

The project area is composed of mixed broadleaved forest. The overall project area is dominated by Hill Sal and the other associated species include Chilaune, Siris, Uttis, Khirro, Gayo etc. Plantation of Rudrakshya was also observed in the private land in the project area. The project will acquire 3.104 ha of forest. All structures of headworks and project facilities such as construction camp and permanent housing at headworks and some section of headrace tunnel are located within Buffer Zone of Makalu Barun National Park.Altogether 25mammalian species, 40species of birds and 12species of herpetofauna have been reported in the project area. Similarly, 9species of fish were reported from the Sankhuwa Khola stretch within the project area.

The total population of the affected area is 11,796 (5,803 male and 5,993 female) with average household size of 4.83. The population of the area is dominated by Kulung (53.86%) followed by the Chhetri, Mewahang, Rai, Kami, Tamang and other groups.

Out of the total project affected households (30 HHs) from the project affected area, 23 households were surveyed. The total population of the surveyed households is 124 (51.61% male and 48.28 % female) with an average household size of 5.39. Chhetri (50%) is the dominant caste group among the surveyed households followed by Kulung and Mewahang. Of the surveyed households, 73.38 % follow Hinduism and 26.62 % follow Kirat religions. The literacy rate accounts about 85.96 %. The total land of the sampled households is estimated to be about 9.874 ha. Average annual income from farm sources and off-farm sources contributes 34.642% and 65.358% respectively. The share of annual expenditure on food and non-food items consists of 37.94% and 61.559% respectively. Electricity facilities are available to all affected surveyed households.

6 Alternative Analysis The no project alternative is rejected as it does not help relieve the current ongoing load shedding in the country, nor does it help development aspirations of the local area people of the project development site.

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Other alternatives to electricity power were rejected, as hydropower is a renewable resource abundant in the country while others require a number of technical and recurrent financial burdens for the power development.

The project location alternatives within the given geographical coordinates were evaluated and the proposed location and design alternative is considered the best from the environmental and economical perspective.

7 Environmental Impacts During construction phase, the project will provide temporary employment opportunities to 500 people and priority will be given to local people. Additionally, the presence of workforce will provide subsidiary business opportunities related to provisioning and recreations to the local people. The project will support development of local infrastructures and social services facilities and their service delivery system in the project impacted area which will enhance the living standard of the local people. During operation and maintenance, it will provide permanent employment opportunities to local people. Above all, it will generate 233.92 GWh energy annually and help to address the energy crisis of the country to some extent. The government will get additional benefit from royalty and revenue. The GoN will benefit from additional income in terms of revenue and royalty which will be shared for the development of affected area. Local people will get additional opportunities from the formal and informal education, skill development and income-generating trainings to be implemented in the project area.

Like any other development projects, this project is also likely to produce both beneficial and adverse impacts on the existing natural settings and society. A total of 14.702ha of land will be acquired permanently and temporarily for the project and changed to another land use for project implementation. The construction activities like excavation, slope cutting and grading will lead to changes in local topography, disturb the fragile slopes and make soil loose eventually causing erosion and siltation of the water body. The construction works, transportation and handling of construction material, excavation, drilling, blasting use of heavy equipment, operation of crushing and batching plant, etc., will emit significant amount of dust and emissions causing air pollution during construction phase. Solid and liquid waste generated from construction works and camping activities will degrade water quality and pollute land. The impact on physical environment during operation phase is related with the reduced flow of water, solid waste form residential camp and camp wastewater management.

Regarding the impact of project on biological domain of environment, major impact is envisaged on forest, wildlife and aquatic life. Sitting of the project features and ancillary facilities will acquire3.104 ha of forest. Altogether, 1505 of trees different species will be felled from the forest during project construction. This will also result loss of forest goods and services. Similarly, during the construction period, worker and non-workers are likely to cut down trees for firewood and timber to build residences, stalls and shades. They may also be involved in illegal collection and selling of NTFPS. All this will have negative consequence on local biodiversity and habitat.

The barrier created by the weir structure to the aquatic life is a significant adverse impact of the project in the operation phase. Similarly the diversion of water is the other issue of aquatic ecology concern as it dewaters the stretch of the river downstream till the confluence with the Arun River.

Noise and vibration produced by project activities and hunting/poaching by project labour force may affect the population of wildlife in the area. The loss of forest due to placement of project structures and facilities will produce long term localized impact on movement of the wildlife. Construction disturbances resulting from drilling, vehicle movement and other related activities would interrupt normal movement, feeding and other activities of animals. Water pollution, reduction in current and discharge will have negative implication on fish and aquatic ecosystem.

The project affects 30 households directly by permanent land acquisition of about 1.965 ha. No households will be physically and/or economically displaced by the project permanent land acquisition. Change in the cultivable land into development will reduce the agricultural production. Influx of people in the form of workforce and subsidiary business opportunity seekers will put pressure on the social service institutions particularly educational facilities, health services, water supply systems,

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administrative services, law and order maintaining institutions, local markets and supply institutions and above all the sanitation of the area. Conflict may arise between the local people and outsider labours during the project construction. The construction workforces will be exposed to a number of constructions related health risks and hazards. Child labour, gender and racial discrimination may occur in project area. The cultural and traditional activities in the local area will be influenced. Sexual intimacy between workers and local people may spread diseases like HIV/AIDS and STDs. Due to the decline in construction related works, the economic activities of local people will be influenced in operation phase.

8 Mitigation of Adverse Impacts and Enhancement of Beneficial Impacts 8.1 Mitigation of Adverse Impacts

Proponent will have the prime responsibility for implementation of mitigation and enhancement method. Necessary budget has been allocated for the implementation of these measures. The leased land will be returned to the owner after proper treatment/rehabilitation. To conserve top soil, the top soil shall be collected and stored in a safe place protected from washout and fanning.

Slope of the cutting areas shall be maintained at less than the angle of repose to the extent possible. Both vertical and horizontal drains will be provided to minimize the soil erosion problem. Extraction of riverbed materials will be done without affecting the existing river morphology. Water spraying will be carried out and vehicles will comply with the national emission standards and regular (monthly) check-up for maintenance. Wastes will be separated, recycled, reused or disposed as per its type. Camps will be provided with toilet and drinking water facility depending on the number of workforce. Generated spoil will be used as back fill materials as far as possible and remaining spoil will be managed properly. The temporary facilities will be dismantled after construction works are over.

The forest area and trees felled will be compensated as per the prevailing law. Land equaling the area of forest to be acquired by the project will be bought and handed over to GoN. Trees that are likely to be removed shall be counted, marked and harvested with the proper forest techniques. The project will plant at least 25 saplings of locally suitable species for the loss of each tree at the compensated land or site designated for plantation. Alternative fuels such as kerosene or LPG will be introduced for cooking and heating purpose to reduce use of forest resources. In order to avoid or minimize potential threat such as illegal cutting and collection of forest products, it is recommended for best utilization of the forest products extracted as a part of site clearance. The proponent will prohibit the project workers from game hunting and poaching and any kind of illegal activities through code of conduct. A minimum of 10% of the monthly flow will be released in the dewatered section and the releasing mechanism will be properly ensured. The fish ladder is arranged to minimize the impact on fish species. Construction works shall be schedule in daytime. The oil and lubricants will be handled properly creating an impervious surface. Proper solid waste management plan will be implemented.

All the land to be acquired will be settled by bilateral negotiation with landowners. Area required for the other project activities such as work camp, borrow areas, spoil disposal area, and stockpile area for the construction materials, etc. will be taken on lease or rent. Standing crop will be compensated as per the local market price. The contractor will manage utilities like, lighting and cooking energy, drinking water supply, etc., within the camp so as to avoid the pressure on local services. Infrastructural and educational support will be provided to the schools of the project area on priority basis. Support will be provided to upgrade existing educational institutions and health service facilities. Alternative source of drinking water will be identified and developed or existing water resources and infrastructures will be improved. Workforce will be discouraged to involve in activities like gambling and alcoholism. Local people will be given maximum priority in employment. Safety equipment such as helmets, boots, gloves, safety glasses and masks will be provided for workers those working in the construction sites. Guards, fences, barricades and informative signsposts will be installed at construction sites and storage yard to prevent unauthorized entry. Child labour will be prohibited totally. Gender and racial discrimination will not be entertained by the project. The prohibitory law against human trafficking and prostitution will be strictly enforced and local security force as well as

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concern community will be informed about the need of effective surveillance. Project will promote alternative livelihood activities by training on improved agriculture and other off-farm activities.

The Project Affected Families will be provided respectable compensation for the land and property they lose to the project. They will be given primary priority in project related employment opportunities and all types of training opportunities.

8.1 Enhancement of Beneficial Impacts

Project has allocated 0.75% of total project cost as a Community Support Program and different infrastructure and service supports and training programs will be provided by proponent.

9 Environmental Management Plan Environmental monitoring plans include the environmental monitoring during pre construction, construction and operation phases for baseline, compliance and impact monitoring of the project activities. A set of measurable indicators have been selected for the monitoring and the plan includes methods of monitoring, monitoring frequency, monitoring location, and personnel responsible for monitoring along with the costs required for monitoring.

To ensure that the environmental issues of the project development and operation in the project impact areas are properly addressed during the project life cycle, the SKHP project management, as the primary responsible institution, will implement the key elements prescribed in the environmental management plan. The environmental management plan has two components: the environmental management activities and implementing organ.

The environmental management for the project is broadly included in the following headings: permits and approval plan; environmental training plan, resettlement and rehabilitation plan; construction camps and traffic management plan; pollution abatement plan; terrestrial ecology management plan, erosion abatement and muck/spoil management plan, public health and occupational safety management plan, emergency management plan, and rehabilitation plan. The elements mentioned in the above plan go hand in hand throughout the project life cycle.

As per the Environmental Protection Rules, environmental management of the project is the responsibility of the proponent. To ensure that the designed monitoring plans and environmental management plans are duly implemented, monitored, assessed, evaluated and disseminated to the stakeholders for feedback and improvement, the SKHP, Project Management Office (PMO) should establish a separate Environment and Community Development Unit (SK-ECDU). The proposed SK-ECDU has four major roles to play. First it will implement and administer land and property acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation of affected parties. Second it will implement and administer the enhancement program in the project-affected areas. Third it will disseminate information to the project's stakeholders and co-ordinate with the different line agencies. Fourth it will monitor the environmental and social measures and its performance as per environmental management plan and environmental monitoring plan.

The project SK-ECDU shall be established at least six months before the project's civil construction award.The stakeholders involved in the project represent different institutions. There is a need to have an interagency coordination. SK-ECDUof the SKHP project management office is the key agency which will be involved in the interagency coordination as it has been assigned key role in the information dissemination and operation of the project information center at the project site. The SK-ECDUManager will be responsible for the organization of meetings with the local stakeholders, particularly district, rural municipalities and ward based stakeholders of the project affected area.

Environmental audit of SKHP will begin after two years of the commencement of the project. The SKHP will make necessary arrangements for this audit through GON or its nominated auditor.

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10 Environmental Mitigation, monitoring, auditing and Management Costs The sum of the environmental costs for the project is estimated as NRs.83,170,033(excludingthe costs included in the civil costs of the project).

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CHAPTER 1

NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT AND INSTITUTION PREPARING THE REPORT

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1 NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE PROJECT PROPONENT AND THE INSTITUTION RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THE REPORT

1.1 Project Proponent Department of Electricity Development (DOED) is the proponent of the Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP). DOED is a Government body which works under the mandate provided by Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MOEWRI) and acts under the legislative authority provided by Government of Nepal (GON). It facilitates hydropower developers to get license of all kinds, and bridging works between the developers and the GON so that all legal documents as required can be made on time. The ultimate motto is to generate electricity by utilizing the available water resources in the country and develops hydropower. Its other aim is to expand reliable and qualitative electric services throughout the country at a reasonable price through either government agencies or private hydropower developers. It has three principal functions: Electricity industry regulatory function, Private power development and facilitation function, and MOEWRItechnical support function. The proponent has received financial resources under Hydropower Project Study Program from GON, to conduct Feasibility Study and Environmental Study of SKHP.

Corresponding address of the proponent is:

Department of Electricity Development (DOED)

Post Box No. 2507

576 BhaktiThapa Sadak (4)

Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone: (977-1-) 4480326, 4479507, 4480425

Fax: (977-1-) 4480257

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.doed.gov.np

1.2 Organization and the Team Responsible for Conducting the Study DOED has signed a contract on 27 of Aswin, 2071 (13 October, 2014) with a Joint Venture of Environment & Resource Management Consultant (P.) Ltd. (ERMC); and Hydro-Consult Engineering Limited (HCE), to carry out the Feasibility and Environmental Impact Assessment of the SKHP. The consultant has conducted the EIA study as per the Environment Protection Act, 2053 and the Environment Protection Regulation 2054 (with the latest amendment).

The detail address of the organizations preparing the report is given below.

Environment & Resource Management Consultant (P.) Ltd.

New Baneshwor, Kathmandu

P. O. Box: 12419, Kathmandu

Tel.: 977-01-4483064, 4465863 ,Fax: 977-01-4479361

E-mail: [email protected]

Hydro-Consult Engineering Limited

Buddha Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal

P. O. Box: 14408, Kathmandu

Tel: +977-1-4782507/ Fax: +977-1-4785920

Email: [email protected]

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CHAPTER 2

GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT

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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Background Nepal is endowed with abundant source of water resources. It is estimated that more than 6000 rivers and rivulets flow within the country. The regular water flow and steep gradient of these rivers provide the great potential of hydro-electric power development in the country. Generation of Hydropower alone may suffice the entire energy need of the country and the surplus could have been sold to the neighboring countries. However, this is not the case here in the country. Majority of Nepali population are still beyond the reach of electricity. Reliable and quality energy is the pre-requisite not only for the overall economic growth of the nation but personal growth is also dependent over the reach of this resource.

More than a century ago (1911 AD), Nepal has initiated to harness the hydroelectric energy when the first Pharping Hydroelectric Plant was installed to electrify the selective houses in the capital city Kathmandu. Further development was at a slow pace and the irony is that the country was facing severe “load shedding” since more than a decade, till last years.

The annual peak demand of the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) in fiscal year 2016/17 was 6257.73 (NEA, 2017). At present, the supply deficit has been managed by import from India. Further, it is estimated that the country will need 2552 MW of energy by year 2020 (NEA 2009 cited in WECS 2010). Out of the power actually supplied in the fiscal year 2016/17, 2305.45GWh was contributed by NEA hydro and thermal, 1717.24 GWh by Independent Power Producer (IPP) hydro and the rest 2175.04GWh was import from India.

The purpose of SKHP is to harness the hydropower potential of the SankhuwaKhola by optimum utilization of the available water resources with a minimum possible environmental and social damage in the project development area.The project will generate 233.92 GWh electrical energy per year and it will be connected to national grid.The proposed projectis a run-of-river type project, located in Sankhuwasabha,(;+v'Jff;ef) and Bhojpur (ef]hk'/) districts of Province -1 (then Eastern Development Region) of Nepal. The project has an installed capacity of 41.06 MW.

DOED has signed a contract on 27 of Aswin, 2071 (13 October, 2014) with a Joint Venture of Environment & Resource Management Consultant (P) Ltd (ERMC) and Hydro-Consult Engineering Limited (HCE) to carry out the Feasibility and Environmental Impact Assessment of the SKHP (Appendix V). The Feasibility Study of the project is also being carried out with this EIA and the study is in its final stage.

Project area of SKHP covers ward no. 1, 3 and 4 of Silichong Rural Muncipality, l;nLrf]ªufpFkflnsf,of Sankhuwasabha district and ward no. 1 and 2 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality, ;fNkfl;ln5f]ufpFkflnsf of Bhojpur district. The diversion weir will be constructed about 100 m downstream from the Sakhuwa Khola Sisuwa Khola confluence near Siktimtar in Ward no. 1 of Silichong Rural Muncipality. The intake on the right bank will feed the settling basin and is diverted to the surface Powerhouse located at the right bank of the Arun River at Bumling village in Ward no. 1 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality through headrace pipe, headrace tunnel and vertical shaft/inclined shaft/penstock.

2.2 Scope of EIA Study The scope of work under this study is to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ofthe project following the National EIA Guidelines and adhering to the approved ToR and therequirements of EPA and EPR 1997 and subsequent amendments.This EIA study of SKHP will only include hydropower generation components (headworks, powerhouse, surge shaft, adit, penstock etc.) and project facilities like project component access road, permanent housing at powerhouse and headworks, quarry site, muck disposal area etc. of SKHP. The environmental study of Transmission Line (TL) alignment, access bridge over the Arun River and access road from Bumling to Budhabare is beyond the scope of this EIA study.

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2.3 Rationale for Conducting EIA Study Based on the project capacity criteria, the hydropower project with capacity of 1 MW to 50 MW is classified as Schedule 1 project by the Environmental Protection Rule (EPR) 1997 of Government of Nepal and requires IEE study and the hydropower project with capacity 50 MW and more is classified as Schedule 2 project and requires EIA study. Similarly, according to the statutory requirement of the EPR, 1997 Schedule 2under Forest Sector, to develop hydropower project requiring forest clearance of 5 hectares and above, it is mandatory to conduct EIA.

However, according to the project location of SKHP being in an environmentally sensitive area (bufferzone of Makalu Barun National Park), the project has been classified as Schedule 2 project by the EPR 1997 and hence the project requires an EIA in order to go ahead for development.Environmental Protection Rules (1997) obliges the project proponent to carry out Scoping and Terms of Reference (ToR) for the project requiring EIA. Letter of agreement from thenMinistry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) to carry out the proposed study is attached in Appendix A.

As per the preliminary estimation, about 14.702ha of land will be required for the project including permanent acquisition of 7.202ha of land for the construction of project structures and facilities including headworks structures, powerhouse, surge shaft, penstock alignment, switchyard and permanent housing at powerhouse and headworks and project component access road etc. Out of 7.202ha permanent land required for the project, about 3.104 ha is forest land.

2.4 Objectives of EIA Study The main objective of the EIA study is to assess whether the proposed project is acceptable or not from the environmental point of view and make the proposed project technically and environmentally sustainable. The specific objectives of the EIA study are to:

Collect baseline data on environmental and social conditions of the project area; Carry out alternative analyses for various options including layout and design from the

environmental point of view; Identify environmental and social impacts of the selected alternative in terms of magnitude,

extent and duration that may be expected to occur during construction and operation phase; Identify the critical environmental and social problems that require further studies and/or

monitoring; Suggest mitigation measures for adverse impacts and enhancement measures for beneficial

impacts; Develop an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan; Assess the institutional arrangements and capacity for the implementation of the Environmental

Management and Monitoring Plan; Consult and inform the project affected parties and other stakeholders, and ensure their active

participation through public consultation and public hearings and

Inform decision makers and interested parties about the environmental implications of the project.

2.5 Project Description 2.5.1 Project Location

SKHP is a run-of-river (RoR) hydropower project on the Sankhuwa Khola, a snow fed perennial Khola that originates from high Himalayas and traverses through several valleys and meets the Arun River at Bumling, in the Sapta-Koshi River Basin. The project is located in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur Districts of the Province – 1 (then Eastern Development Region) of Nepal (Figure 2-1).

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Figure 2-1: Project Location in Nepal map

Project Location

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SKHPP is located in Silichong Rural Municipality in Sankhuwasabha District (Previously Bala VDC 1-9, Sisuwakhola VDC 1-9 and Tamku VDC 1-9) and Salpachilichho Rural Municipality in Bhojpur District (Previously Kulung VDC 1-9) of Nepal (Figure 2-2). The proposed project lies between 8705'00” E to 8708'30”E and 2725'40” N to 2728'39” N. The headworks is located at Ward no. 1 of Silichong Rural Municipality in Sankhuwasabha District about 100 m downstream from the Sakhuwa-Sisuwa confluence near Siktimtar. The powerhouse is located at Ward no. 1 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality in Bhojpur District about 900 m downstream of existing suspension bridge above Arun River.

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Figure 2-2: Project location map

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2.5.2 Accessibility

Overall Accessibility

At present, the proposed project area is about half an hour walk (about 2 kms) from the nearest vehicle station located at Heluwabesi to reach the powerhouse site located about 900 m downstream from existing suspension bridge over Arun River at Bumling. Heluwabesi is linked from Tumlingtar by a fair weather road which takes about 4 hours (approximately 35 km) drive to reach Heluwabesi. The intake is located about 100 m downstream from the confluence of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa Khola near Siktimtar which is about 10 km from Bumling. The nearest airport is situated in Tumlingtar, Sankhuwasabha District.

Currently, the road from Bumling to Budhabare is under construction with initiatives from District Coordination Committee (then District Development Committee) and other local agencies. From Bumling, track opening has already been started and reached Budhbare and vehicular movement from Power House to Headworks is possible during dry weather. However, it has to be noted that approximately 1 km of road and a Bridge over Arun River is needed to connect Heluwabesi with the powerhouse area. In addition, half a km of road has to be constructed to connect Surgeshaft from the nearest road head.

Another alternative access to the project site from Tumlingtar airport is via Chewabesi along the Arun River. There is a seasonal road upto Chewabesi from Tumlingtar which is about 10 km long. With this alternate, currently, the project is accessible after about two hours walk upto Bumling from Chewabesi.

Track opening has also been completed to connect the the Project area with Bhojpur headquarter through Dingla and some vehicles also ply in the dry season. However, this option, even if the track is upgraded will be a very long option.

Project Component Accessibility

Currently, the road from Bumling to Budhabare is under construction and and track has already been opened. However, it has to be noted that approximately 1 km of road and a bridge over Arun River is needed to connect Heluwabesi, the nearest vehicle station, to Powerhouse and Switchyard area. Further, the project also needs to construct half a km of approach road to Surge Shaft. The proposed adit area and location for diversion structure are located along the Bumling-Budhabare road alignment. The construction camp, muck disposal site and crusher site are also located close to the alignment.

2.5.3 Project Features

Proposed SKHP is a run-of-river (RoR) type project with installed capacity of 41.06 MW. Water will be diverted from the Sankhuwa Khola at a point about 100 m downstream from the confluence of Sankhuwa-Sisuwa Khola by constructing a 6.0 m high concrete weir. The weir crest level will be at 670.0 masl. A maximum discharge of 15.68 m3/s at 40% probability of exceedence level will be diverted for power generation through the side intake located along the right bank of the Sankhuwa Khola. This project utilizes a gross head of 315.92 m in between the intake at an elevation of 670.0 masl and the tailrace at an elevation of 354.08 masl. The total length of waterways including approach culvert, headrace pipe, headrace tunnel, penstock and tailrace tunnel will be about 6 km.Project features are described in the subsequent sections and the project layout map is presented in AppendixC1.

2.5.3.1 Headworks

The major components of the headworks are diversion weir, under sluice, orifice type side intake, gravel trap with flushing culvert, approach culvert with spillway and settling basin.Proposed headworks area is presented in Photo 2-1.

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Photo 2-1: Proposed headworks area

Diversion Weir

The diversion weir is located at about 100 m downstream from Sankhuwa Sisuwa Khola confluence. a simple uncontrolled free overflow diversion weir with abrasion resistant concrete (C50) lining is proposed with a provision of flushing undersluice on the right bank. There will be a gate hoist deck to operate hydro mechanical gate at undersluice. The weir will have 42.0 m long free overflow crest at an elevation of 670.0 masl which will be 6.0 m high above from the existing riverbed level. The diversion weir is designed to maintain the water level required for the diversion of 15.68 m3/s discharge, which has 40-percentile probability of exceedence.

Under Sluice

The proposed undersluice is set on right side of the diversion weir and basically proposed for the prevention of the large amount of sediment from entering in to the intake and in addition to pass a portion of high flood discharge and large size sediment. However, during the low flow season the design discharge should be allowed to flow through the intake by closing the sluice gate. The undersluice facilitates flow to pass through an orifice intake with least amount of sediments during flood. The total width of undersluiceis 7.45 m including 0.65 m wide divide wall. The floor of the sluice is 6.0 m below the crest elevation of the weir i.e. at an elevation of 664.0 masl.

Intake

According to the river characteristics at the headworks area, side orifice intake has been proposed.The intake consists of four orifices of size 2.5 m x 2.5 m on the intake right bank headwall aligned at an angle of 75º to river flow. The orifices are separated by 3 number of piers of 0.75 m width. The sill level of the intake opening is set at the elevation of 666.50 masl. The debris flow in the intake is controlled through the coarse trash rack, placed infront of the intake orifice.

Gravel Trap and Gravel Flushing

Two numbers of gravel traps is designed with single hopper bottom for conventional hydraulic flushing. The size of each gravel trap is 5.75 m wide and 4.2 m long. The areas in gravel trap and flushing culvert exposed to wear and tear due to high velocity are lined with dressed hard stone. At the end of the gravel trap, there will be a gravel-flushing gate which can be operated to allow necessary flushing discharge.The gravel-flushing culvert is 58.90 m long, 1.6 wide and 1.3 m high with a bed slope of 1 in 25.

Weir axis

Sankhuwa Khola

Sisuwa Khola

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Overfall Spillway and Approach Culvert

Two numbers of approach culvert are designed to convey water from each gravel trap to the settling basin. An overfall spillway is provided at the left approach culvert to spill the excess discharge passing through the intake. The crest length of the spillway is 20.45 m long and is maintained at the elevation of 670.20 masl. The approach culvert is provided with a free board of 1.50 m upto the spillway hence making the culvert 3.75 m x 3.3 m in dimension. The length of this portion is about 34.0 m. The cross section gets reduced to 3.75 m x 1.70 m after the spillway. The length of this stretch is about 58 m.

Settling Basin

Considering the availability of 15% of design discharge for flushing, settling basin is designed for continuous flushing. Depending upon the water level, the flushing head is calculated as 7.80 m with 3.5 m of storage depth and 4.30 m of water depth. Four bays, two from each approach culvert are proposed in the settling basin considering the site conditions and also to ensure continuous supply of flow for power production when one settling basin chamber will be closed for maintenance.

The settling basin is designed to trap 90% (Vetter’s Criteria) of 0.2 mm particles sized sediment. It will have four equal and parallel settling chambers, each 60.0 m long and 8.0 m wide. The maximum flow velocity in main settling zone is 0.192 m/s. The 29.99 m long inlet transition zone has horizontal and vertical transition slope of about 1:4.70 and 1:6.74 respectively. The flushing channel of the settling basin has a slope of 1 in 40. The top of the settling basin wall is fixed at 669.75 masl. From the settling basin the water will pass through outlet transition zone to the headrace tunnel intake. Provision of gates is made to control the flow at each outle.

2.5.3.2 Fish Ladder

The fish ladder is designed as vertical slot fishway. The fish ladder is designed under the trashpassage with the gate of trash passage partly kept open during the migration season. The migration pattern show the upstream migration of the fish takes place between March-June. Accordingly, the fish ladder has been designed. The velocity at the fish ladder is maintained at 1 m/s. The length of fish ladder is 19.65 m and the width of vertical slot is 1 m. The pool at the fish ladder will be maintained atleast upto the weir height i.e 0.95 m. The distance between adjacent ladders is maintained at 1.40 m c/c.

2.5.3.3 Headrace

Right bank of Sankhuwa Khola is selected as suitable alignment for headrace waterways of the project to convey the flow from the settling basin to the penstock. As per the topography, headrace tunnel intake portal is located approximately 630 m downstream of the settling basin outlet. The headrace tunnel is connected to the settling baisn outlet through a 2.80 m dia steel headrace pipe. Total length of the headrace tunnel is 4567 m.

Waterway intake

The intake for waterway is located at the outlet of settling basin. The purpose of the intake is to draw water into the waterway. To minimize the surface velocity and prevent air trap inside the intake, sufficient submergence is provided at the intake. Arrangements to prevent debris flow inside the waterway is done by providing a fine trashrack in front of the intake portal.

Headrace Pipe

As tunnel portal is located approximately 630 m downstream of settling basin outlet, a headrace pipe is provided to connect tunnel with waterway intake. The headrace pipe is located along the right bank of Sankhuwa Khola and is maintained at a slope of 1:100.The headrace pipe is designed at 2.8 m in diameter with the invert level of 654.2 maslat entry. It is designed as cut and cover by maintaining certain backfill cover for protection. The alignment consists of saddle supports along with two anchor blocks at the horizontal bend.

Headrace Tunnel

The headrace tunnel conveys the flow to the penstock pipe and thereby to the turbines. Design flow of 15.68 m3/s will be conveyed through the headrace tunnel. Considering the velocity in the tunnel, a 4 m diameter inverted D-shaped tunnel having cross-sectional area of 14.28 m2 is chosen.The total

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length of the tunnel from the intake portal down to the penstock pipe inlet is 4567 m. There will be one intermediate adit in between the intake portal and the outlet portal. For easy drainage during construction and maintenance phase, certain bed slope of headrace tunnel is provided. The headrace tunnel alignment crosses light greyish white, fresh to slightly weathered, medium strong to strong, moderately to thickly foliated Gneiss and Schist. Upon completion of tunnel excavation, adit plug at tunnel adit and at the start point of penstock will be constructed and bulkhead door will be provided.

Rock Trap

The rock trap is designed to trap the sediment from unlined portion of the tunnel. It has been proposed at the end of the headrace tunnel. The size of the rock trap is 21.35 m x 4.0 m x 7.0 m.

Tunnel adits and portals

There will be one adit tunnel located at 1600 m from inlet portal in the headrace tunnel. The length of this tunnel is calculated as 744 m. This tunnel will be maintained at the slope of 1 in 180 for easy mucking and haulage. The adit tunnel will be inverted D with 4.0 m diameter. Another Adit tunnel is provided near the surge shaft area. This tunnel is 128.0 m long at an inclination of 1 in 55. This adit tunnel will be inverted D with 3.5 m diameter.

A typical type of concrete portal structure has been designed at the inlet and at the outlet of headrace tunnel. The size of the portal will be 4.0 m wide, 4.0 m high. The length of the portals will be varied as per site condition. The outlet portal will be constructed at end of headrace tunnel and also used for offset tunnel for the surge shaft.

Spoil tip arrangement

The tunnel spoils from the end of the headrace, the adit and other spoil from surface excavation should be managed properly. There will be two numbers of spoil tip areas: one at adit portal area and the last one at near Powerhouse area. The total volume of spoil at adit portal will be about 81,974 m3. The toe of the spoil tip is protected by gabion wall. Further 0.8 m x 0.9 m of peripheral drain will be provided for drainage facility. The total volume of spoil at surge shaft area will be about 44,614 m3 including spoil of surge shaft, vertical shaft, inclined shaft and adit tunnel. The spoil tip area has been proposed at near by the surgeshaft at the least haulage distance.

Required slope of the spoil tip area is maintained as 1 in 1.5. As per the site condition, there will be sufficient height of gabion structure for preventions from the stones rolling down. In additions sufficient drainage systems has also been proposed.

2.5.3.4 Surge Shaft

The surge shaft is located at an elevation of 699.50 masl. The cylindrical surge shaft is underground type and the diameter is 6.0 m. The height of surge tank is 58.50 m.The result of the surge analysis for the total instantaneous closer of the all units shows that the upsurge reaches to 684.39 masl. So the top level of the surge shaft is fixed to 699.50 masl considering both safety and constructability aspect. The free board is more than of 25% of maximum upsurge so that the water will not get spilled even in worst case of upsurge. A steel wire mesh manhole on top of the surge shaft is provided for access during maintenance.

2.5.3.5 Penstock / Vertical/ Inclined Shaft

The penstock pipe is used to convey water from surge tank to the powerhouse. A preliminary optimisation of the penstock diameter has been carried out. The optimum size is approximately 2.0 m and this diameter has been selected. Wall thickness will range from 10 mm to 36 mm.

The proposed alignment consist of 32 m long horizontal embedded penstock followed by 120 m long vertical shaft, 479 m long inclined embedded penstock and 369 m long surface penstock. The penstock will be embedded in a minimum of 200 mm of concrete on all sides within a tunnel of cross-sectional area 4.52 m2. A 350 mm thick reinforced concrete (RC) lining will be adopted in the headrace portion between surge shaft and penstock. The steel penstock pipe will be welded in sections and concreted inside the tunnel.

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2.5.3.6 Powerhouse

The proposed surface powerhouse is located in the cultivated fields of Arun Valley in Bumling on the right bank of Arun River. The location of the powerhouse has been determined ensuring that it is free from the risk of flooding that can arise in Arun River during high flow period. Also, the powerhouse location is free from the risk of landslides and rockfall. The proposed location is also perfectly suitable for placing switchyard and other ancillaries. Overall size of powerhouse is about 30.0 m long, 14.0 m wide. Considering the head and flow available in the site, Francis turbine with vertical axis alignment has been selected.

Powerhouse complex contains main inlet valve, turbines, generators and electromechanical accessories. The proposed size of powerhouse is selected based on size and number of electromechanical component.The machine floor of the powerhouse is 30 m long and 20.5 m wide. It contains two 21.39 MW vertical axis Francis turbines and generator assembly with the axis at an elevation of 357.91 masl. A 10.2 m x 9.5 m maintenance bay is located next to the turbine-generator area. Power cables from the generator will be connected to the control panel through under floor ducts. Control cables will also run through under floor ducts.

The control room, high voltage switchgear room and offices facilities are provided at 364.65 masl near the northern end of the powerhouse structure. The control room is located on the generator hall and contain all necessary equipment required to control the powerhouse operation and monitor the operation of headwork structure. Proposed powerhouse area is presented in Photo 2-2.

Photo 2-2: Proposed powerhouse location

2.5.3.7 Switchyard area

The proposed switchyard area is located close to the powerhouse on the right bank of Arun River at North East side of powerhouse. The switchyard covers 30 x 13 meter area at an elevation of 364.65 masl. The security fence with an entrance gate will be built in the switchyard area to prevent unauthorized access during operation.

2.5.3.8 Tailrace

The tailrace structure is of box culvert type and passes along the alluvial deposits on the right bank of Arun River.The total length of tailrace culvert is 97.5 m long.Two sets of electric rope drum operated gates has been proposed at tailrace area. This gates help to block the backflow from the tailrace and maintenance of the turbine section.

2.5.3.9 Project Component Access Road

The project need to construct 1.861 km of access road for differenct project components. From Bumling to Powerhouse0.944 km and from Kulung Heluwabesi Margato Surgeshaft 0.917 km of access road will be constructed. The width of road is kept 5.25 m to facilitate the transportation of heavy equipment. About 9.072 km of road from Bumling to Budhabare is under construction with the inititation of District Coordination Committee. This road will provide access to the proposed Intake site of SKHP.

Arun River

Arun River

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2.5.4 Salient Features of the project

The salient feature of the proposed SKHP is presented in Table 2-1.

Table 2-1: Salient features of the project

Descriptions Parameters

Project name Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP)

Location (Longitudes and latitudes of the points bordering the project area)

North-West corner 2728’ 39” N and 8705’ 00” E

North-East corner 2728’ 39” N and 8708’ 30” E

South-East corner 2725’ 40” N and 8708’ 30” E

South-West corner 2725’ 40” N and 8705’ 00” E

Province Province Number 1

District Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur

Rural municipality and Ward Ward No. 1 of Silichong Rural Municipality (previously Sisuwakhola VDC), Ward No. 3 of Silichong Rural Municipality (previously Tamku VDC), Ward No. 4 of Silichong Rural Municipality (previously Mangtewa VDC) of Sankhuwasabha District and Ward No. 1 and 2 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality (Previously Kulung VDC) of Bhojpur District

Type of power plant

Type Run-of-river

Hydrology

Catchment area at intake site 335.3 km2

Long term annual average flow 23.53 m3/s

Average minimum flow 5.21 m3/s

Design flood at intake (1 in 100 Years) 1141 m3/s

General hydraulics

Gross head 315.92 m

Net head 298.9 m

Design flow 15.68 m3/s (40% probability of exceedance)

Capacity 41.06 MW

Diversion weir

Type Concrete weir

Length 42.0 m

Height 6.0 m above natural bed

Crest elevation 670.0 masl

Intake chamber

Type Orifice type side intake

Size of opening 2.5 m (W) x 2.5 m (H) (4 Nos.)

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Coarse trash rack 2.5 m (W) x 4.0 m (H) (4 Nos.)

Undersluice

Size of opening 3.4 m (W) x 3.5 m (H) (2 Nos.)

Gravel trap and flushing culvert

No. of bays 2

Gravel trap width 5.75 m

Gravel trap length 4.2 m

Fine trash rack 5.75 m (W) x 4.0 m (H) (2 Nos.)

Flushing culvert type Box culvert

Dimension 1.0 m (W) x 1.3 m (H) (2 Nos.) 1.6 m (W) x 1.3 m (H) x 58.9 m (L) (1 No.)

Flushing culvert Stoplog 1.0 m (W) x 1.3 m (H) (2 Nos.)

Flushing culvert control gate 1.0 m (W) x 1.3 m (H) (2 Nos.)

Bed slope 1 in 25

Approach culvert

Box culvert 3.25 m (W) x 1.7 m (H) x 104.96 m (L)

Bed slope 1 in 700

Approach culvert control gate 1.625 m (W) x 1.7 m (H) (4 Nos.)

Side Spillway

Crest Elevation 670.2 masl

Crest length 20 m

Spillway canal 4.0 m (W) x 65.82 m (L)

Bed slope 1 in 15.5

Settling basin

No of bays 4

Nominal size of trapped particle 0.2 mm

Trap efficiency 90% (Vetter’s)

Length

Inlet transition 29.99 m

Uniform section 60.0 m

Outlet transition 13.45 m

Width

Uniform section 8.0 m (each bay)

Depth

Total depth including hopper 7.8 m (at outlet)

Flushing culvert

Gate and stoplog 1.0 m (W) x 1.0 m (H) (4 Nos.)

Type Box culvert

Dimension 1.0 m (W) x 1.5 m (H) (4 Nos.)

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1.3 m (W) x 1.5 m (H) x 40.3 m (L) (1 No.)

Bed slope 1 in 40

Headrace Pipe

Type Circular Steel Pipe

Length 623.0 m

Diameter 2.8 m

Thickness 10 mm

Slope 1 in 100

Headrace tunnel

Shape D-shaped

Length 4567.0 m

X-Section 4.0 m dia.

Average bed slope 1 in 1000

Cross-sectional area 14.28 m2

Tunnel Adit – 1 744.0 m long and 4.0 m dia.

Surge shaft

Type Underground

Internal diameter 6.0 m

Height 58.5 m

Tunnel Adit -2 128.0 m long and 3.5m dia.

Vertical shaft / Inclined shaft / Penstock

Type Mild steel pipe

Diameter 2.0 m before bifurcation 1.6 m after bifurcation

Length 32 m horizontal embedded penstock shaft, 120 m long vertical shaft, 479 m long inclined embedded penstock shaft, 369 m long surface penstock

Thickness 10 mm to 36 mm

Powerhouse

Type Surface

Size 30.0 m long, 14.6 m wide and 31.0 m high

Switchyard

Area 30 m x 13 m

Elevation 364.65 masl

Tailrace

Type Free flow box culvert

Size 2.5 m (W) x 2.8 m (H) (2 Nos.) 3.5 m (W) x 3.3 m (H) (1 No.)

Length 97.5 m

Slope 1 in 1000

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Turbines

Type Francis

Alignment Vertical shaft with bearing

Rated net head 298.9 m

Rated discharge 7.84 m3/s

Turbine rated output (power on shaft) 21.39 MW x 2

Turbine efficiency 93 %

No of units 2 Nos.

Speed 750 rpm

Tailwater level 354.08 masl

Generators

Type Salient Pole, Synchronous

Capacity 25 MVA x 2

Generator Efficiency 97%

Voltage 11 kV

Power factor 0.85

Frequency 50 Hz

Transmission line* *Not a scope of this EIA study

Length 17.5 km (from Bumling to Tumlingtar)

Voltage 132 kV

No. of circuit Single

Configuration 3 phase, 3 wire with single Optical ground wire (OPGW)

Tower type and support Galvanized steel lattice towers (both suspension and tension type) with good foundation works, tower wings and earth wire (OPGW) at top

Transformer

Type Three phase, Outdoor, Oil Immersed

Rating 25 MVA x 2

vector group Ynd11

Power factor 0.8

Voltage ratio 11/132 ±5% in step of 2.5%

Frequency 50 Hz

Energy generation

Mean annual energy per year 233.92 GWh

Dry energy 70.69 GWh

Wet energy 163.23 GWh

Access

Road Class District Rural Road Class 'A' (DRRA)

Length

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Budhabare to Bumling 9.072 km (not a scope of this EIA study)

Bumling to Powerhouse 0.944 km

Surgeshaft to Kulung Heluwabesi Marga 0.917 km

Financial indicators (based on 2018 January price level, economical life = 30 years)

Project cost excluding transmission line and overall access road

NRs 6,585.72 million

Project cost including transmission line and access road

NPR 7,732.90 million (US$ 75.07million)

Cost per kW NPR 188,329.179 (US$ 1,828)

Financial Net present value (NPV) NPR 2,039.18million (US$ 19.79million)

Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) 15.43%

Financial B/C ratio at discount rate of 10%

1.73

Construction Period 3 Years

Source: Feasibility Study of SKHP, 2018, JV of ERMC and HCEL

2.6 Construction Planning Construction Schedule

The project construction work will be completed within threeyears. After completing preparatory works, tendering, and land acquisition work, construction of infrastructure and other temporary facilities will be started. Detail construction schedule is presented in Appendix D.

Construction of major civil work is proposed to begin on 21st September 2020. The total civil work, hydro mechanical and electromechanical works of the project is estimated to be completed in 3 years. Hence, the RCOD of the project is proposed at 25th September 2023 in Feasibility Study report. However, approximately 5 months of time has been separately allotted for PPA and financial closure before commencing major civil works.

The average length of daylight in the project area is roughly 8 to 10 hours so that surface constriction activities have been assumed to extend over the same period. A margin for time loss due to adverse weather or other unforeseen delaying conditions has been allowed in the adopted production rate.With regard to underground works, proper lighting and ventilation will be required. This work is assumed to continue uninterrupted for 24 hours in three shifts a day with each eight hours shifts resulting in a total working time of six hundred hours per months for 25 working days.

The construction of the project will involve works at four sites simultaneously that is work atheadworks on Budhabare, tunnel alignment, adit at Surgeshaft area and Powerhouse area on Bumlingtar.

Camp Area

Camps will be constructed at the Headworks, Adit area and the Powerhouse area. In Headworks, temporary housing will be constructed at Siktimtar village. In adit area, temporary housing will be erected at the Kanduwa village. Similarly, a permanent housing will also be constructed near Powerhouse area.

Quarry Site and Crusher Site

Aggregates and sand deposits are explored in many locations along the banks of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa Khola. Two number of Quarry sites are found for the required construction materials. One of them is located near Bandewa at the right bank of Sankhuwa Khola. Crusher site is also found suitable in the same location. Another Quarry site is located near the Powerhouse area in Bamling.

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From the lab test result, the quarry site at powerhouse area show a huge sand content. (96.3%). Also, the quarry site area in headworks has sufficient sand content (77%). Therefore, the amount of sand required for construction can be fulfilled from quarry sites in headwork and powerhouse site.

The required aggregate for the project can also be fulfilled from the quarry site. In powerhouse area the volume of gravel is 52%. The specific gravity of the gravel is 2.72 from the specific gravity results, the los angeles abrasion value of gravels from this quarry site is found to be 34% which is acceptable for concrete on the non-wearing surface. Similarly, the Aggregate Impact Value and Aggregate Crushing value is 20% and 30.6% respectively, which is also within the limit for aggregates. The soundness of the coarse aggregate is also found within the standard limit. Similarly, gravel content in proposed quarry location at headworks site is 29%. Approximately, 23,000 m3 of coarse aggregates can be extracted from the identified quarries.

The approximate co-ordinates of these sites are listed in the table below:

Table 2-2: Co-ordinates and Area of the Quarry site identified

Quarry site Easting Northing Area (Sq.m)

Near Headworks area 509560 3039140 23,340 508766 3039628 10,058

Near Powerhouse area 512700 3034863 18,000 513285 3035382 18,160

The crusher plant (Table 2-33) shall be installed near Siktmetar village on the right bank of Sankhuwa Khola (E509862, N3038636), approximately 670 m downstream of proposed tunnel inlet portal.

Table 2-3: Crusher plant equipment and capacity

Equipment Capacity Unit

Impact Crusher 25-45 Tonnes/Hr

Spiral Classifier 1600-700 Tonnes/day

Vibrating Screen 20-125 Tonnes/hr

Muck disposal

Muck and spoil disposal area has been identified near adit tunnel-1 at Kanduwa village of Salpachilichho and near powerhouse area at Salpachilichho. Muck disposal will be carried out only in designated sites so that it does not mix and carried away by the river flow. Management of disposal sites should seriously consider on matters like spoil volume and its weight, topography, slope stability, depth of overburden, rock mass properties, and likelihood of generating new landslides.

Required slope of the spoil tip area is maintained as 1 in 1.5. As per the site condition, there will be sufficient height of gabion structure for preventions from the stones rolling down. In additions sufficient drainage systems has also been proposed.

Spoil Tip area near powerhouse is 10,400 m2 tentatively, it will accommodate the muck volumes deposited near outlet portal and adit tunnel-2 portal. Taking into account the muck volume of 45,000 m3, the spoil height in the Spoil tip area will be approximately 4.5 m. The slope of muck in the spoil tip area will be maintained at the slope of 1 in 1.5. As per the site condition, there will be sufficient height of gabion structure for preventions from the stones rolling down. In additions sufficient drainage systems has also been proposed.

Similarly, the muck area near adit tunnel-1 portal is approximately 30,000 m2. Considering 80,000 m3 of muck to be deposited, the height of the muck in the area will be approximately 3 m. The slope of muck in the spoil tip area will be maintained at the slope of 1 in 1.5. The maximum height of a particular

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layer will be maintained at 1.5 m and sufficient height of gabion structures will be provided to prevent the stones from rolling down. Additionally, proper drainage system has also been proposed.

Table 2-4: Muck Volume Calculation

Description Dimension Unit

Muck Volume Near Adit Tunnel-1

Length of Adit Tunnel 744 M

Diameter 4 M

Area 14.28 m2

Total Volume of excavation 10,626.69 m3

Length of HRT through Adit Tunnel-1 2267 M

Diameter 4 M

Area 14.28 m2


Length of HRT through Inlet portal 815.16 M

Diameter 4 M

Area 14.28 m2

Total volume of excavation 11643.08 m3

Total muck volume to be deposited near Adit Tunnel-1 81,974.63 m3

Muck Volume Near Adit Tunnel-2

Height of Surgeshaft 66.00 M

Diameter of Surgeshaft 6.00 M

Area 28.27 m2


Length of Adit Tunnel-2 128 M

Diameter 3.5 M

Area 10.94 m2


Length of HRT through Adit-2 1,452.66 M

Diameter 4 M

Area 14.28 m2


Total Volume of Muck to be deposited near Adit Tunnel-2 36,021.71 m3

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Description Dimension Unit

Muck Volume Near Outlet Portal

Total length of Vertical Shaft excavation 153.33 M

Diameter 2.40 M

Area 4.87 m2

Total volume 746.23 m3

Total length of Inclined shaft 474.97 M

Diameter 3.5 M

Area 10.94 m2

Total volume of excavation 5,194.06 m3

Total volume of Muck to be deposited near Outlet portal 8,910.45 m3

Construction Power

Electricity during the construction can generally be availed via installation of the Diesel plant or by tapping the energy from the nearest NEA’s Transmission Line. However, in this case tapping from NEA is not possible as it has to be brought from Khandbari, the nearest grid point available. So, the most feasible option of Construction power at present context in by installation of Diesel Generator.

For construction purpose, Diesel Generator sets with various capacity (Table 2-5) shall be installed particularly in headworks, tunnel portal/adit and power-house/surge-shaft area. Since all these generators are to be operated on full-time duty, appropriate backup power source for lighting and emergency demands shall also be provided (Table 2-6). These materials will be stored at mechanical and storage yards proposed.The handling plan of diesel and lubricants with their appropriate mitigation measures are presented in the subsequent sections.For economic reason, the availability of NEA grid or other reliable power source shall also be considered by the time project goes under construction.

Table 2-5: Capacity of Generator sets

Capacity of Generator sets Number

20kW/25kVA 5

40kW/50kVA 3

60kW/75kVA 1

75kW 2

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Table 2-6: Estimation of consumptioin of fuel

SN Equipment/Components Power in kW

Power in kVA

Load Total Hours

Rate (gal.hr)

Total Fuel (gal)

1 Head works Area

1.1 Dewatering of headworks components 60 75 0.75 2184 3.8 8,299.20

1.2 Drilling & Dewatering of tunnel work from tunnel inlet portal side

40 50 0.75 3850 3.2 12,320.00

1.3 Concrete/Spray 20 25 0.25 1050 0.6 630.00

1.4 Crusher plant stationed at headworks area

75 93.75 1 910 6.1 5,551.00

1.5 Lightening/workshop 20 25 0.5 1890 0.9 1,701.00

2 Powerhouse Area -

2.1 Concreting 20 25 0.5 420 0.9 378.00

2.2 lightening/workshop 20 25 0.5 420 0.9 378.00

3 Surge Shaft area -

3.1 Drilling & Dewatering of tunnel from Surge shaft side

40 50 1 1260 4 5,040.00

3.2 Drilling & Dewatering of pressure shaft and surge shaft, winching machine operation

40 50 1 1365 4 5,460.00

3.3 Lightening/workshop 20 25 0.5 420 0.9 378.00

4 Additional crusher plant

4.1 Crusher plant stationed at Arun river

75 93.75 1 1365 6.1 8,326.50

Sum 48,461.70

In litres 183,447.40

Explosive materials and Explosive materials handling

A suitable location of bunker will be near Adit tunnel-1 portal located in Kanduwa Village. The tentative surface area for locating bunker will be 1500 m2. Additional 700 m2 of area has been allocated for setting up temporary camp for bunker protection. The area is free from geo-hazards and away from settlement, thus making is ideal for bunker construction. Alternative location of bunker has been identified at Kamletar, which is 1.3 km downstream of the proposed bunker location. The tentative surface area at Kamletar will be 1600 m2. Estimation of explovise material is presented in the following Table 2-7. Explosives transport, delivery, and handling is totally regulated and controlled by the government of Nepal under the Explosive Act, 1961. The security during transport and even in the storage yard and in the active construction site shall be provided by the government of Nepal.To ensure safety and avoid possible risk of explosive substances, storage and handling of explosive materials will be carried out under direct supervision of the Army personal.A safe place will be identified for the construction of bunker house. The area used for the storage of explosive materials

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will be properly fenced off and security personal will be deputed 24 hours. Necessary precaution and warning signs will be placed at the site to make proper awareness.

Table 2-7: Explosive material estimate

Area Qty Unit Excavation

Qty

(m3)

Gelatine

(kg/m3)

Gelatine Qty

(kg)

Detonator

(Nr/m3

)

Detonator Qty

(Pcs)

Detonating cord

(m/m3)

Deto Cord Qty

(m)

Headrace tunnel

4,567.00 m

64,800.00

4.50

291,600.00 3.50 226,800

3.00

194,400.00

Adit #01, 02

872.00 m

12,100.00

4.50

54,450.00 3.00

36,300.00

3.00

36,300.00

Surge Tunnel

66.00 m

2,000.00

4.50

9,000.00 3.00

6,000.00

3.00

6,000.00

Inclined shaft

475.00 m

5,900.00

4.50

26,550.00 2.50

14,750.00

3.00

17,700.00

Drop shaft 155.00 m

800.00

4.50

3,600.00 2.50

2,000.00

1.00

800.00

Access road

915.00 m

11,895.00

3.50

41,632.50 2.50

29,737.50

1.00

11,895.00

Other area rock excavation 1,000.00 m3

1,000.00

2.50

2,500.00 2.50

2,500.00

1.00

1,000.00

Total 98,495.00 430,000.00 318,500 270,000.00

Batching Plants, Aggregate Crushing Plants and Construction Material Storage area

The facilities for aggregate crushing, storage area of construction materials and batching plants will be located at the headworks in Sikmetar and at powerhouse site in Bumling close to the active construction sites. These facilities will be operated with provisions of air pollution control, noise arrest facilities, and water and waste water management facilities. These will be temporary facilities to be demolished at the end of the construction period. The areas occupied by these facilities will be rehabilitated to the original land conditions and returned to the respective owners.

Human Resource Requirement

Approximately 500 human resources per day during peak construction period will be required for the project construction. Among them about ten percent will be the skilled, about thirty percent as semi-skilled and about 60 percent unskilled workers. Since the project area is sparsely populated area there will be shortage of workers and thus it is likely that a bulk of outside workers will be engaged in the construction.

Land Requirement

A total of 14.702ha of land will be required for the project. Of the total, 7.202ha is permanent land while temporary land is 7.5 ha. Of the land use types acquired permanently, only 1.965ha isagriculture land,3.104ha is forest land, and 0.748 is barren land, and 1.385 ha is riverine area. The temporary land is required for temporary camp, storage yares, muck disposal area and quarry sites. The permanent land requirement is presented in Table 2-8 and temporary land requirement is presented in Table 2-9.

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Table 2-8: Estimates of the prermanent land requirement for project

Permanent Land Requirement

SN Project Sub-Components

Land type (In ha) Total area (In ha.)

Forest Agriculture Barren River & Flood Plain

Built up/ Residential

Gvt CF LHF Rel Pvt Govt

-P]nfgL_

Pvt Gvt Pvt Public

Pvt.

1 Headworks Area

HR surface pipe, HR inlet portal, Intake & settling basin

1.454

0.275

1.327

3.056

Permanent Camp 0.730 0.067 0.797

Adit portal 0.158 0.158

Outlet portal, surge shaft and penstock 0.257 0.046 0.028 0.331

2 Powerhouse Area

Powerhouse and Tailrace 0.069 0.028 0.058 0.155

Permanent camp 0.220 0.22

3 Switchyard 0.080 0.012 0.034 0.092

4 Muck disposal 0.352 0.352

4 Quarry site 0.804 0.804

6 Access to Surges haft 0.505 0.505

7 Access to PH 0.052 0.680 0.732

Total 2.184 0.92 1.965 0.748 1.385 7.202

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Table 2-9: Estimates of the temporary land requirement for project

Temporary Land Requirement

SN Project Sub-Components

Land type (In ha) Total area (In ha.)

Forest Agriculture Barren River & Flood Plain

Built up/ Residential

Gvt CF LHF Rel Pvt Govt

-P]nfgL_

Pvt Gvt Pvt Public

Pvt.

1 Muck disposal site 2.5 2.5

2 Construction and storage yards at Headworks area

1.0 0.5 1.5

3 Construction and storage yards at Powerhouse area

1.5 1.5

4 Construction camp 0.75 1.25 2.0

Total 0.75 3.75 0.5 2.5 7.5

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Construction Materials

Most of the construction materials required for the project will be procured from the domestic producers/ suppliers. Coarse and fine aggregates will be produced from the rocks and river deposit boulders obtained from the quarries as per site condition. The materials for backfill and rock fill will also be processed from the excavated materials. As per site condition and materials required, some materials will be procured within the country or imported from outside markets. The preliminary estimated quantity of major construction materials is as follows:

Table 2-10: Volume of Construction Materials required

Description Volume, m3 Volume from Quarry m3

Additional Volume From Muck (m3

Sand 18,931.09 17,488+17,971

Aggregate 29,564.18 18,803+ 10019 741

Boulders for Riprap 700 700

Stones 19,904.58 19,904

Cement 10,675 m3

Cement admixtures 107 m3

Timber 16,442 m3

Steel 11689.96 tons

Project Activities Having Environmental Consequences

The project will carry out activities (Table 2-11) that may have adverse environmental consequences during preconstruction, construction and operation phase.

Table 2-11: Project activities having socio-environmental consequences

Project Activities

Preconstruction Construction Operation

Delineation of land area

Survey and pegging Drilling work for

geological investigations

Land acquisition

Site preparation Drilling and excavation Blasting Scaffolding Muck and spoil disposal Quarrying and borrow pits Tree felling and vegetation clearance Operation of heavy machinery,

parking & movement of vehicles River diversion for dam construction

Demolition of temporary structures

Flushing for desanding basin and impoundment maintenance

Repair and maintenance of project structures

River diversion for project operation

2.7 Project Operation Modality Proposed project is a Run-of-River (RoR) Project. Considering the available river flow and the riparian water release, a detailed calculation showing the results for monthly operation is shown in Appendix E, which presents the calculations for minimum release and energy generated. Table 2-12presents the available mean monthly flow, flow that will be diverted for electricity generation and flow released in the Sankhuwa River downstream weir for the different months.

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Table 2-12: Flow regulation of Sankhuwa Khola during operation of the SKHP project

S.

N.

Month

Avg. Monthly

discharge in the river

at intake (m3/s)

Total d/s Release

Including env. Flow

and others(m3/s)

Diversion

for power

(m3/s)

1 January 6.15 0.62 5.54

2 February 5.21 0.52 4.69

3 March 5.28 0.53 4.76

4 April 6.35 0.64 5.72

5 May 9.10 0.91 8.19

6 June 32.96 3.30 15.68

7 July 64.88 6.49 15.68

8 August 54.74 5.47 15.68

9 September 52.90 5.29 15.68

10 October 25.11 2.51 15.68

11 November 10.97 1.10 9.87

12 December 8.73 0.87 7.85

Annual Average 23.53

Source: Feasibility Study of SKHP, 2018, JV of ERMC and HCEL

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CHAPTER 3

STUDY METHODOLOGY

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3 STUDY METHODOLOGY

This EIA study of the Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP) has been carried out in accordance with all the legal requirements of Government of Nepal (GoN), following all the procedures and conditions put forth by EPA, 1997 and EPR, 1997 and approved ToR of the proposed project.All the conditions set forth in the approval letter of Scoping document and ToR by the Ministry of Forests and Environment (then Ministry of Population and Environment) are fully followed during the EIA study and the EIA report preparation. From the Scoping exercise relevant issues were identified that are prioritized in the ToR report and these are further discussed here in detail EIA study. All of the data and information from the field visit and literature review are compiled and analyzed. The methodology adopted to accomplish the EIA study is described in detail below:

3.1 Project Impact Area Definition For the purpose of the EIA study, the study area is defined as the project area consisting of the project site as well as the area that will be impacted due to the construction and operation of the project. The study area is divided into two categories based on the proximity and magnitude of impacts.

3.1.1 Direct Impact Area

In this area, environmental components will be directly affected by the project construction activities. These are the locations that will house major project components like Headworks, Waterways, Powerhouse, Quarry sites, Surge shaft, muck disposal sites, as well as areas that are in low flow zone. These are villages/settlements of ward no. 1, 3 and 4 of Silichong Rural Muncipality and ward no. 1 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality. Details of project components and their nearby villages which are considered to be directly affected by the project are presented in Table 3-1below. None of the settlement of the project area will need relocation.

Table 3-1: Project component and direct impact area

Project Components Villages/ Settlements

Former VDCs

As per the new Administrative Boundary

Headworks (Weir; approach canal; flushing canal; settling basin; inlet portals); mock disposal sites; workforce camp; low flow zone

Sisuwatar, Siktimtar, Chhudak, Taktiling, Chaliliwa

Sisuwakhola ward no. 1 of Silichong Rural Muncipality

Headworks (weir), low flow zone Kolwa, Boktang Tamku ward no. 3 of Silichong Rural Muncipality

Water ways (Headrace Tunnel; surge shaft; adit tunnel), muck disposal area, powerhouse; tail race canal; access road to powerhouse, adit tunnel and surge shaft area, workforce camp, low flow zone

Kongduwa, Charpate, Saldanda, Agrigau, Dungma and Bumling

Kulung

ward no. 1 and 2 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality

Low flow zone Salleri Mangtewa ward no. 4 of Silichong Rural Muncipality

3.1.2 IndirectImpact Area

Villages and settlements that are not likely to be directly affected by the construction of project structures, but will be affected due to the induced effects of project construction are grouped into this category. It is expected that the project construction workers activities and the supply of goods to the increased population, and extraction of raw materials for the project structures may further disturb

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the environment and social harmony of the surrounding villages. Further, it will have a boom and boost effect (localized trade effect) in the area. The indirectly impacted areas are presented in Table 3-2 in detail.

Table 3-2: Project activities and indirect impact area

Use of resources Impact area/settlements

Construction materials (sand, gravel etc.) quarry

Sisuwatar, Bumling and along the banks of Sankhuwa Khola and Arun river

Traffic Congestion Bumling to Sisuwatar

Consumption of local agriculture products

Bumling, Sisuwatar

Boom and boost of local market Along the road alignment from Bumling to Sisuwatar

3.2 Data Collection Procedures/Methods

3.2.1 Desk Study and Literature Review

The key documents of the projectwere collected and reviewed to determine the nature and scope of project activities that influences the environmental conditions of the project area. Published and unpublished literatures and documents available in the libraries/ documentation sections of government and non-governmental organization and maps (topographical maps, land use maps, aerial photographs, cadastral survey map etc.) related to the project were collected and reviewed to get information on the existing baseline conditions on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural aspects of the project area. Existing policies, legislations, guidelines and manuals related to the hydropower development in Nepal and other international conventions such as Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Species (CITES) to which Nepal is signatory were also reviewed. Apart from the above, approved ToR and Scoping Documents and the project related reports were thoroughly reviewed.

The data collected through literature review on the physical environment include topography, geology and soil, drainage and hydrology, meteorology, land use, erosion, landslide and land stability etc. On the biological environment, information related to the forest coverage and types, floral and faunal biodiversity, rare, endangered and protected faunal and floral species, habitats and ecological conditions of the project area were collected. Demographic characteristics of the project district and the affected wards, quality of life, culture and traditions were the key information collected in the socio-economic and cultural aspects.

3.2.2 Field Study, Data Collection and Data Analysis

For the collection of primary data and field verification of secondary data collected during the desk study, field visit by a team of multi-disciplinary experts was conducted from 20th April to 29th April, 2018. The study team carried out field visit in the project affected area.

The required baseline information on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment of direct and indirect impact areas of the project were collected during the field visit.

3.2.2.1 Physical Environment

i) Data required and collection methods

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Status of land use patterns, topography and soil erosion in the project area and its surrounding was collected through direct observation and field survey using a checklist (Appendix F). The data required for the evaluation of the physical environment were topography and geomorphology, climate and hydrology, geology, soil erosion and land instability, air quality, water quality, noise level, watershed conditions and natural hazards. Of the above data required, information on topography and geomorphology were derived from the topographic maps. Important topographic and geomorphic features were mapped and located in the topographic maps during field survey for the key project facility sites. Status of land use patterns and soil erosion was collected through direct observation and field mapping. Data on ambient environment (air, water, noise) were obtained through assessment of air quality; water sample collection and laboratory analysis; and direct observation of sound level and sources of noise in project area.

For the assessment of air quality, various air detiorating sources within the project constructionsites and key settlements were inquired and studied.For the water quality testing, water samples were collected fromthe Sankhuwa Khola for the intake siteand dewatered stretch and the Arun River for the powerhouse site of the proposed SKHP and were analyzed in the laboratory for the identification and quantification ofrequired indicators.Noise level was monitored in the field at two locations, one at intake area and other at powerhouse area with a portable Sound Level Meter.The site specific data for air, noise and water quality of the project area is collected on the following dates and time at different localities in project area (Table 3-3).

Table 3-3: Date time and location of air, noise and water sample collection in project area

Date Time Parameter Method Locations

22/04/2018 Air Quality Field observation of various air detiorating sources

Project area and proposed project construction sites

24/04/2018 and 28/04/2018

07:30, 17:00

Noise level Measurement through Sound Pressure Level

Powerhouse site and Intake area respectively

28/04/2018 08:30 16:30

Water Quality

Water sample collection Near the powerhouse area at the Arunriver and Just downstream of the proposed intake site at the Sankhuwa respectively.

Furthermore, a walk over surveywas also carried out to obtain data on river morphology, mass wasting, soil erosion, landslides and slope stability, fan deposits and rock fall within the project area. The watershed conditions and the potential natural hazards were evaluated based on the field observation taking into account of the land usage, forest coverage, historical records of natural events and activities of the communities located in the project areas.

Apart from the above information, discussions with local people were also carried out to fill the gaps in collected information such as flooding events, GLOF events, seismic history, landslide events and locations and land degradation process among others. Surface and sub-surface geological investigations were carried out during the Feasibility study. Results of those investigations formed the basis for further verification of surface geological features like historical seismic events, mass wasting, flood etc through discussion with the local people to understand such events in the project area.

b) Data analysis

The data obtained from the literature review and the field investigations on the topography and geomorphology, climate and hydrology, geology, soil, erosion and land instability, air quality, water quality, noise level, watershed conditions and natural hazards were collated to generate comprehensive sets of database in the respective field. The geomorphic features were analyzed in the context of the geomorphic processes that led to the development of the geomorphic features. The climatic and hydrological records of the area were analyzed to generate spatial and temporal variations that characterize the area. Geologic maps were prepared to identify the weak geologic zones that are critical in terms of geologic instabilities. The erosion and land stability features were analyzed in terms of the

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geology and geomorphologic process including climate and hydrological variations to activate the erosion and land instabilities. Based on the industrial and anthropogenic activities of the area, the air quality, water quality and noise levels of the project area were evaluated.

3.2.2.2 Biological Environment

i) Data required and collection method

a. Forest and Vegetation Survey

Information on floral composition, distribution patterns and characteristics of vegetation and forest types, presence of protected, rare and endangered species and sensitive habitat in the project area were assessed from direct field observations, walkover survey, quadrate sampling, photography, maps, interaction with forest user groups, and collection of information from district forest offices. The type of forests and management practices around the project area were studied and identified. The local plant species were identified at field level and the scientific names of the species were later identified with the help of the book published by the Forest Research and Information Centre (FRIC, FSRO, et. al. 1984). Photo 3-1 depict the vegetation survey carried out during the field visit.

Photo 3-1: Vegetation survey carried out during the field visit

Information on presence of endemic, protected, rare and endangered plant species in the area were assessed after tallying species recorded in forest survey with International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) Red Data book CITES Appendices and the list of protected plant species of GoN listed in Forest Regulation, 2052. The status of the protected species recorded in the project area and project’s impact on them were identified during the field survey.

The total area of the forest affected within the project area were quantified. A detailed survey was conducted in the affected forests in the project area. For the sampling purpose, circular plot with radius 12.6m was laid down for the tree size species, 5.6m was laid down for the polesize tree species, 5m x 5m for shrub species and saplings and 1m x 1m for herbs.A total of seven purposive quadrats sampling were laid in the forest located in the project structures and facilities area for the study.

Height and diameter of all trees located within the plot were recorded to estimate wood volume and biomass in unit forest area. The volume and biomass so derived is multiplied by the forest area occupied by the project to estimate loss of wood volume and biomass. The volume and biomass of the affected

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tree species were quantified together with the loss of forests. Tree species having more than 30 cm diameters at the breast height (DBH) were counted and measured as tree. Tree species having DBH range between 10 cm – 30 cm were counted and measured as pole and rest were counted as seedling and saplings. DBH was measured at 1.3 meter from the ground level.

The important quantitative analysis such as density and frequency were determined as per Curtis and McIntosh (1950).

Density:

Density is an expression of the numerical strength of a species where the total number of individuals of each species in all the quadrats is divided by the total number of quadrats studied.

Density is calculated by the equation:

Density (tree/ha) = Total number of individual species in all quadrat

10000 Total number of quadrats studied x Area of a quadrates

Frequency:

This term refers to the degree of dispersion of individual species in an area and usually expressed in terms of percentage occurrence. It is calculated by the equation:

Frequency (%) = Number of quadrats in which individual species occurred

100 Total number of quadrats studied

Importance Value Index (IVI):

The IVI is used to determine the overall importance of each species in the community structure. In calculating this index, the percentage values of the relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance are summed up together and this value is designated as the Importance Value Index or IVI of the species (Curtis, 1959).

(i) Relative density.

Relative density is the study of numerical strength of a species in relation to the total number of individuals of all the species and can be calculated as:

Relative density (%) = Density of a species

100 Total density of all the species

(ii) Relative frequency.

The degree of dispersion of individual species in an area in relation to the number of all the species occurred.

Relative frequency (%) = Frequency of a species

100 Total frequency of all the species

(iii) Relative dominance.

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Dominance of a species is determined by the value of the basal cover. Relative dominance is the coverage value of a species with respect to the sum of coverage of the rest of the species in the area.

Relative dominance (%) = Dominance of a species

100 Total dominance of all the species

Species Richness

Species richness is a measure of the number of different species represented in an ecological community. For this study, species richness was calculated using Menhinick Species Richness Index (Odum, 1996) as presented below:

d2 = S √N

Where,

d2 = Menhinick Species Richness Index

S = Number of species

N = Total number of individuals at community.

Forest loss (forest area, tree volume and biomass) estimation

Loss of tree species and loss of standing wood volume were calculated for each tree species using the following formulas:

Basal Area = π d²/4

Volume (m³) = Basal Area x Tree height

Moreover, the losses of vegetation at project occupied area is presented in suitable tabular format considering the loss in terms of seedlings, saplings, trees and non-timber forest products.

Biomass estimation:

Stem, branch and foliage biomass has been estimated by using the following formula1;

Stem biomass = Volume x density

Branch biomass = r x stem biomass

Foliage biomass = r x stem biomass

Where, r is branch to stem, and foliage to stem ratios

r = s if d is < 10 cm

r = [(d-10) m + (40-d) s]/30 if d is 10 - 40 cm

r = [(d-40) b + (70 – d) m]/30 if d is 40 – 70 cm

r = b if d is > 70 cm

Where d = diameter, s = small, m = medium, and b = big

Value for branch biomass value for foliage biomass

s = 0.189 s = 0.101

1Uprety, B. K. (2003) Safeguarding the Resources Environmental Impact Assessment: Process and Practice was referredto estimate the biomass.

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m = 0.256 m = 0.046

b = 0.300 b = 0.033

b. Ethnobotanical survey

Ethnobotanical survey, as carried out to study about the socially useful and commercially important timber species as well as Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) of the project area. For this purpose, plant species of the area were listed during vegetation survey and local information on their use was recorded by interviewing the relevant local informants.

c. Wildlife (Mammal, Bird and Herpetofauna)

In order to collect information on wildlife both direct and indirect methods were used. For direct methods, transect walk was performed to observe wildlife status in each forest area that belong to the impact or activity area of the proposed hydropower project (headworks, quarry sites and surge shaft, powerhouse, access road to headworks and powerhouse, camp sites). Animals, reptiles and birds observed along the route were recorded along with information on their habitat.

Presence of animals, reptiles and birds were also recorded by the identification of pug marks/footprints, droppings/pallets, ground digging and uprooting, tree scratching and marking, etc.

Additional information on animal presence and movements was obtained by using indirect methods i.e. discussions with a range of stakeholders that included local people, forest-goers or cattle grazers and also forest users group members, among others etc.

To know the presence of any rare, threatened, protected, endemic and endangered wild animals in the area data recorded from the field were compared with the secondary sources and the species list was tallied with the list of endangered and protected species of Nepal listed in the CITES Appendices, IUCN Red Data Book, and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973.

ii) Data analysis The quantitative data from forest sampling plots were used for the analysis of density, basal area, crown coverage, and wood volume and biomass. These quantitative field data obtained on the sampling plots were used for the estimation of vegetation loss; tree, pole, sapling and seedling, protected, endemic, endangered and rare floral species, due to project implementation. Similarly, the data for wildlife, and birds were used for the estimations of abundance, range, typical habitats for feeding, breeding and nesting requirements within the project area. d) Fish and Aquatic Life Fish sampling

Fish sampling was conducted at three different stations (upstream of the weir, downstream of the weir and in Sankhuwa Khola upstream of the confluence with Arun) during the field vist from 20th April to 29th April, 2018with the help of cast net by mobilizing local people. A total of 225 casting were done at the four sampling stations.Photo 3-2 depicts the cast net used for fish sampling and Table 3-4 presents the sampling stations along the Sankhuwa Khola stretch in the project area.

Table 3-4: Sampling stations along the Sankhuwa Khola stretch in the project area

StationNumber Location Village

I Upstream of the weir site Siktemtar

II Downstream of the weir site Kanduwa

III In Sankhuwa Khola upstream of the confluence with Arun Bumling

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Photo 3-2: Cast net used for fish sampling

Informal discussion

Informal discussion with local people at Budhabare, Kanduwa and Bumlingwas also carried out during the filed visit. The discussionwas mainly focused on the fish diversity and current status of fish in the river.

ii) Planktons, zooplanktons and Aquatic Insects

Plankton and aquatic insects were sampled in three fish sampling stations namely Station I, II and III. For phytoplankton sampling, 10 liters of composite sample was prepared by mixing thesamples collected from 10 different area of a sampling site. One percent Lugol’s solution wasadded for the preservation.

For zooplankton sampling, 200 liters of river water from different areas of a site was filteredthrough 80 μm plankton net. The zooplankton collected at the bottom plankton net wasconcentrated by decanting 15-17 hrs and preserved by using 5% formaldehyde solution.

Aquatic invertebrates from the 1m2 substrate were collected from three sites in each fishsampling station (Moore, 1990). The substrate was place in water bucket and sieved, startingwith a 4 mm mesh size to 0.5 mm mesh size. Species thus obtained were preserved in 5%formalin and identified in lab (Sutherland, 1997). These samples were identified in laboratoryin Kathmandu.

b) Data Analysis The quantitative data from forest sampling plots were used for the analysis of density, basal area, crown coverage, and wood volume and biomass. These quantitative field data obtained on the sampling plots were used for the estimation of the loss of trees and vegetation and loss of vegetation diversity including the loss of rare and endangered species due to project implementation. Similarly, the data on wildlife, birds and aquatic life were used for the determination of importance or potential of the project location in term of wildlife and aquatic life habitat.

3.2.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment

i) Data required and collection methods

This section is based on the review of secondary data and qualitative and quantitative information obtained through field studies using participatory methods. Two types of socio-economic analysis are made for the project area. One deals with the overall socio-economic status of the project affected

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District and Wards through review of literatures. The review is based on the 2011 census survey and the secondary information collected from the relevant offices in the project districts. The other is a separate socio-economic survey of the project affected people. The details of the tools and techniques used to collect the required information and data on the socio-economic and cultural environment is discussed below.

Required firsthand data for this study were collected through various field methods usually employed in social and biological science researches adopting a participatory approach. The socio-economic and cultural environment related information of demography, economic status, education and skill level, health and sanitation, land use and agricultural practices, income generating activities, land loss and preferred mode of compensation, project affected households, gender issues, ethnicity and indigenous people, Dalits and disadvantaged groups, community infrastructure like schools, temples, post offices, health posts etc., local resources and their utilization, historical, archaeological and religious sites, trade, commerce and industries, transportation and communication, and tourismwere collected. The main tools of field research included household survey questionnaire, checklists, FGDs, formal and informal discussions, field observation, interactions and workshops.

a. Socio-economic household survey

The projected affected householdswho lose their land/assets/properties due to project activities were selected and surveyed. The name of land/property owners was identified with the help of cadastral map and the list of the person was verified on the ground.

A carefully designed structured questionnaire Appendix H was used to conduct survey of all project affected households. An orientation to the field enumerators was provided prior to the survey. The socioeconomic survey team visited the project areas on foot to observe and investigate the actual site conditions and to supervise the enumerators. Affected household owners/members, available at the time of survey, were covered to gather information like household size, agricultural practices and production, land holding, energy use, income expenditure, infrastructure and services like electricity, health, education transportation/communication, water supply, data related physical properties and assets acquired by the project, preferred mode of compensation and rehabilitation and perceptions towards the project.

b. Key informant interview

The people who have greater knowledge about the various aspects of the locality and project were selected purposively for their knowledge and experiences on project related issues and implications on local communities. The interviews were guided by a checklistcontaining topics/issues or open-ended questions. The interviewer subtly probed the interviewee to elicit information, opinions, and experiences regarding project related social and cultural issues and possible impacts. The interviews covered issues and potential effects likely to be of important to them - during construction, and during operation.

c. Focus group discussion

The FGD meeting was organized in the project area by the study team with prior information dissemination (Appendix J). The main objectives of FGD were to disseminate information about the project implementation to the local people and to collect information on views of local people towards the project, their perceptions aspirations and expectations,information on local development and their felt needs, their roles on project implementation, possible mitigation measures and institutional arrangements.

d. Field observations and informal interview

The team noted and recorded what they observed and heard at the study sites. Site observations were made to obtain supplementary information on different socio-economic and cultural activities in the project settlements and surrounding areas. This included recording of the physical surroundings, religious sites/structures, ongoing cultural religious activities, processes, and discussions.

Similarly, informal interview techniques have been used to gain insight into community social institutions and organization, including local arrangements for decision-making and leadership. It is also used to obtain descriptive information on topics such as household livelihood options, social differentiation,

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ethnic minorities, lines of solidarity and conflict, the role of women, key resource issues, local perceptions about the project and more. They also serve to enhance and verify quantitative data.

ii)Data analysis and interpretation

The data collected through various tools and sources were analyzed using both descriptive and statistical methods. Qualitative data like socio-cultural characteristics, knowledge, practices and attitudes and perceived need and problems expressed, suggestions and comments made by the people of the study areas have been analyzed under appropriate context under different categories and sub-headings. Quantitative data collected from household survey have been edited, validated and updated before the start of data analysis. Necessary tables and charts have been presented in the appropriate sections.The religious, cultural, and historical sites were evaluated in terms of their religious and historical significance based on the spiritual and historical linkage of the people of the area.

3.3 Public Consultation and Public Hearing 3.3.1 Public Consultation

Consultations in-house with the project technical team were carried out to get updates on project location, design aspects, project construction and operation modalities. Design merits and demerits of the various alternative options of project development and operation were also discussed.

Informal discussion with the local stakeholders and people of different backgrounds and social identities have been conducted to identify the key actors and agents associated with various issues of the project and explored the underlying socioeconomic, cultural and political situation that have shaped the life circumstances of the communities of the project areas. These discussion were helpful to recommend community participation and consultation policies and institutional arrangements for project implementation and to suggest the grievance mechanism. These discussion were also helpful to identify roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders to develop equitable benefit-sharing mechanism.

3.3.2 Public Hearing

Public hearing as per the EPR 1997 Rule 7 Sub-rule 2 was accomplished after completing three different stages namely; Planning and Organization, Implementation and Evaluation.

Planning and Organization: Stakeholders of SKHP were identified during the prior field visits during Scoping exercise, EIA field studies and different project level field visits by the client and the consultant. A public notice with invitation to participate in the public hearing on 2075/03/02 was published in the Aarthik national daily newspaper on 2075/02/15 (Appendix K). Notices in public places, ward offices, schools, health posts and various offices of project districts were affixed and the deeds were collected. The location and venue, timing, duration and food/snacks during the program were discussed with the local representatives and finalized.

Implementation:At the premises of Shree Sharaswati Aadharbhut Bidhyalaya, with participation of more than 100 stakeholders, the public hearing was concluded on 2075/03/02 (Appendix M). The program was conducted by the EIA study team with the representation from the proponent (DoED). The participants of the public hearing includes the local people, representatives from the rural municipalities and wards, CFUGs, Makalu barun buffer zone user groups, school teachers and other stakeholders. Brochure was distributed among the participants prior to the program, speakers were given the considerable time and public questions were answered to the possible extent. Photographs and the Video clips were recorded; attendance of participation recorded and the question and answers were noted.

Evaluation: The program received the good participation of stakeholders/their representatives. All the deeds and minutes of public hearing are compiled and presentedin Appendix L and Appendix N.

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Photo 3-3: Public Hearing conducted atthe premises of Shree Sharaswati Aadharbhut Bidhyalaya, Salpacilicho Ward No. 1

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3.3.3 Issues raised during Public Hearing

Locals have expressed their intrests and enquired about their participation in the project development. They expressed their concerns on the potential impacts due to implementation of the project. Local people were found to be positive towards the project development and were enthusiastic about potential benefits of the project development. Details of the concerns of the local people during public hearing is presented in Appendix N. The prioritized relevant issues owing to the scope of the project are llisted below:

Issue of slope instabilities and soil erosion Issue of part time fishing community Issue of loss of the forest Priority for local people for the employment Issues of compensation of land/property that will be acquired by the project Project should coordinate with locals, Buffer Zone User Group and National Park Issue of conservation of wildlife and biodiversity Issue of existing water use rights Support should be given for irrigation, education and health sector

These public concerns are addressed in Chapter 6 of the report and respective mitigation and enhancement measures are addressed in Chapter 8 of the report.

3.4 Impact Analysis and Prediction After the full documentation of the baseline environmental data of the project area, each of the environmental parameters was examined against the project activities at different stages of the project development using various methods and tools as required by the environmental parameter in question. Under the broader classification, impacts are grouped as Adverse Impacts, Beneficial Impacts and Cumulative Impacts in this report. By using the format of the National EIA Guideline (1993), the impacts were categorized as direct and indirect impacts. Each of the direct and indirect impacts was further evaluated in terms of its extent as site specific, local or regional. Each of these was further analyzed in terms of duration as short-term, medium-term and long-term. The magnitude of each of the impact was then evaluated as high, medium and low based on the conditions of the environmental parameter at present and estimated or projected changes with the project. While doing so, reversibility of the impacts was also examined to qualify their magnitude for impact significance.

There are several methods available for impact prediction in EIA. These are mathematical models, statistical models, geographical models, experimental methods, physical models and expert judgments. However, expert judgment method is used in this EIA report for impact prediction.

The Environmental impacts were further evaluated on the basis of guidelines given in the National EIA guidelines 1993, based on the Magnitude, Extent and Duration of the impact and the respective numerical ranking. The criteria for the rating of the impacts in terms of their magnitude, extent, and duration are elaborated below:

Magnitude of Impact: This is defined by the severity of each potential impact and indicates whether the impact is irreversible or reversible and the estimated potential rate of recovery. The magnitude of an impact cannot be considered high if a major adverse impact can be mitigated. A major adverse impact would affect the potential subsistence or recreational or commercial use of bio-physical resources with the result that the value of resources would be reduced far below the publicly acceptable level. Moderate to minor unmitigated impacts of similar nature will result in resources still being usable, but at some inconvenience to the public.

The magnitude of impact is often expressed as high (H), medium (M) or low (L) during the impact prediction.

Extent of Impact: The spatial extent or the zone of influence of the impact should always be determined. An impact can be site-specific or limited to the project area (SP); a locally occurring impact

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within the watershed of the proposed project (L); a regional impact that may extend beyond the watershed (R); and a national impact affecting resources on a national scale (N).

Duration of Impact: Environmental impacts have a temporal dimension and needs to be considered in an EIA. Impacts arising at different phases of the project cycle may need to be considered. An impact that generally lasts for only three to nine years after project completion may be classified as short-term (St). An impact which continues for 10 to 20 years may be defined as medium-term (Mt), and impacts that last beyond 20 years are considered as long-term (Lt). The types of impacts produced during the construction phase are generally short-termed.

Significance of Impact:The impact is significant if it is considerable and changes the baseline condition and insignificant if the change is so minor that the baseline condition is not affected considerably. The cumulative scores based on evaluation as mentioned above have been used to decide the significance of the impacts. If the total score is beyond 70, then the impact is considered as highly significant, if the total score is in the range of 45 to 70, then the impact is considered as moderately significant and if the total score is upto 44, then the impact is considred as low significant.

3.5 Preparation of Environmental Management Plan Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is prepared to ensure and evaluate the effectiveness of each of the mitigation and monitoring measures adopted to minimize the environmental impacts and to enhance the overall environmental conditions within the region of influence. The basic objectives of EMP are that it clearly spells out the environmental concerns of the project and prescribes a systematic environmental management system to be followed by all concerned to attain continuous environmental improvements in the project vicinity.

3.6 Report Preparation The EIA report has been prepared based on information collected from the field visit, consultative meetings and the concerns raised in public hearing. The report has been prepared by taking into considerations all the aspects mentioned in Schedule 6 of the EPR, 2054.

3.7 Study Team This EIA study has been performed and the report has been prepared by a multidisciplinary team of experts and are presented in the Table 3-5. Declaration forms signed by the members of study team are presented in the Appendix P.

Table 3-5: EIA Study Team

Name of Expert Expertise Education Position in study team

Dr. Ananda Raj Joshi Sr. Environmental Expert PhD in Environmental Science

Team Leader

Balram Bhattarai Botanist/Forest/Environmental Expert

M. Sc. in Environmental Management

Team Member

Narayan Bahadur Shrestha

Environmental Engineer M. E. in Environmental Engineering

Team Member

Amrit Poudel EMP Expert M. Sc. in Environmental Science

Team Member

Charles Pradhan Zoologist/Aquatic Life Expert M. Sc. in Zoology Team Member

Dr. Rishikeshab Raj Regmi

Sociologist/Anthropologist PhD in Anthropology Team Member

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3.8 EIA Study Time Schedule The time schedule for completion of the entire EIA study after the approval of Scoping and ToR isgiven in following Table 3-6. The time schedule incorporates indicative approval time by the concerned government agencies.

Table 3-6: EIA Study Time Schedule

Activities Months

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

EIA Study after approval of Scoping and ToR

Preparation for EIA field visit (Desk Study, Checklist and Questionnaire Preparation)

EIA Field Visit and Baseline data/Information collection

Data Tabulation and Analysis

Impact Prediction and Analysis

Mitigation Measures

Management Program Outline

Monitoring and Auditing Program Outline

EIA Report Preparation

Notice Publication for Public Hearing

Public Hearing

Report Finalization and Submission to the MoFE through MoEWRI and DoED

Public Notice for Public Review*

Review Meeting and Approval*

3.9 Estimated Budget for EIA study A total estimated amount of NRs. 34,74000.00has been allocated to complete the EIA study of SKHP.

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CHAPTER 4

REVIEW OF RELEVANT PLANS/POLICIES,

LEGISLATIONS, GUIDELINES, STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS

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4 REVIEW OF RELEVANT PLANS/POLICIES, LEGISLATIONS, GUIDELINES, STANDARDS AND CONVENTIONS

This chapter deals with the policies, legislative provisions, and administrative framework that have direct relevance with the implementation of the proposed project. The proponent will abide by any other laws besides those mentioned below that are attracted due to various activities that will be undertaken during project implementation.

4.1 Plans, Policies and Strategy 4.1.1 Constitution of Nepal

Article 30 of Constitution of Nepal under right to clean environmentproclaims,“Every citizen shall have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment. The victim shall have the right to obtain compensation, in accordance with law, for any injury caused from environmental pollution or degradation. This Article shall not be deemed to prevent the making of necessary legal provisions for a proper balance between the environment and development, in development works of the nation”. Under the same article the policies relating to protection, promotion and use of natural resources are: (1) to protect, promote, and make environmental friendly and sustainable use of, natural resources available in the country, in consonance with national interest and adopting the concept of inter-generational equity, and make equitable distribution of fruits, according priority and preferential right to the local communities: (2) to make multi-purpose development of water resources, while according priority to domestic investment based on public participation, (3) to ensure reliable supply of energy in an affordable and easy manner, and make proper use of energy, for the fulfilment of the basic needs of citizens, by generating and developing renewable energy,(5) to conserve, promote, and make sustainable use of, forests, wildlife, birds, vegetation and bio-diversity, by mitigating possible risks to environment from industrial and physical development, while raising awareness of general public about environment cleanliness, (6) to maintain the forest area in necessary lands for ecological balance, (7) to adopt appropriate measures to abolish or mitigate existing or possible adverse environmental impacts on the nature, environment or biological diversity, (8) to pursue the principles of environmentally sustainable development such as the principles of polluter pays, of precaution in environmental protection and of prior informed consent. (9) to make advance warning, preparedness, rescue, relief and rehabilitation in order to mitigate risks from natural disasters. Article 251proclaims about the Functions, duties and powers of National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission that states: (2) The National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission shall carry out necessary study and research work about environmental impact assessment required in the course of distribution of natural resources, and make recommendations to the Government of Nepal.

4.1.2 Hydropower Development Policy, 2058 (2001)

The Hydropower Development Policy of 2001has emphasized the need for environmental conservation considering hydropower as an alternative to biomass and heat energy. Similar emphasis has been given to minimize the environmental impacts and issues related to the resettlement of displaced population during the construction of hydroelectric projects. Similar, to the Tenth Plan's policy, the strategy of implementing small, medium and large hydropower projects has been continued to contribute, inter alia, to environmental conservation. The strategy also focuses on conserving the basins of specific rivers as a base of water resources development and management. The major strategic thrust on the environment is to release a minimum average of 10 percent water flow or as recommended by the EIA report to maintain downstream ecosystem.

4.1.3 The Fourteenth Plan2073/74-75/76 (FY2016/17- 2018/19)

The 14th plan aims to achieve sustainable, broad-based, inclusive economic growth. It has identified development of energy infrastructures as one of the priority areas. The plan aims to achieve energy security and self-dependence on electricity through hydroelectricity development. The plan calls to

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increase private sector investment in both energy generation and transmission sector. The plan also emphasizes on considering impact of climate change during hydroelectricity development.

4.1.4 National Forest Policy, 2071 (2015)

National Forest Policy, 2015 is the main policy document, which guides sub-sectoral programs relating to forests, plant resources, wildlife, biodiversity, medicinal plants, and soil and watershed conservation. The Forest Policy has aimed to maintain the environmental balance through conservation and management of forest, wetlands, wildlife and conservation areas along with increasing the forestry products and enhancing the livelihood of community dependent on forest resources. Periodic assessment and updating of information on forest resources of the country is also included in the forest policy.The current forest policy of Nepal also recognizes the need for updating the information of the country's forest resources.

4.1.5 National Wetland Policy, 2069 (2012)

National Wetland Policy, 2069 mentions the need for conservation, restoration and effective management of wetlands. In addition to this, its objectives ephasize wise utilization of wetland resources and support for community dependent on such wetlands. It also makes clear that development activities should not lead to reduced quality and area of wetland. The policy has classified wetlands based on ownership, vulnerability, management and Importance.

4.1.6 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (20014-2020)

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) provides a guiding framework for the management of Nepal’s biodiversity. It has been prepared to meet the national needs for managing biodiversity on a sustainable basis for the benefit of present and future generations, and to fulfill the country’s international obligations. It has a long-term (i.e. 35 years) vision, and includes specific short-term (up to 2020) strategies and priorities for action.Strategies and priority actions have been clustered into the six themes and prioritized by taking into account the links between them and with reference to key biodiversity threats, gaps and issues. The description and analysis of past efforts and achievements, and formulation of strategies and actions are focused around six thematic areas: (a) Protected Areas, (b) Forests outside Protected Areas, (c) Rangelands, (d) Wetlands, (e) Agriculture, and (f) Mountains. Fifteen crosscutting themes, including gender andsocial inclusion, and climate change impacts and adaptation have been dealt with separately.

4.1.7 National Water Resource Strategy, 2059 (2002)

Realizing the fact that the development and management of water resources should be undertaken in a holistic and systematic manner aimed at the sustainable use of the resources ensuring conservation and protection of the environment, Nepal has adopted the National Water Resources Strategy. This strategy underscores the interdependencies between water resource development and environment conservation, and has adopted environment principles related, inter alia, to the integration of ecological aspects at every level of hydropower development process, conserve biodiversity, watersheds and adopt ecosystem approach. The activities are also related to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, promote community participation for the sustainable management of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems.

National Water Strategy has defined ten strategic outputs for short, mid and long term for the overall development of the water resources. These outputs are categorized under security, use and mechanism aspects, and are listed below:

Security: Effective measures to manage and mitigate water-induced disasters are made functional and sustainable management of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems is achieved.

Use: Adequate supply of and access to potable water and sanitation and hygiene awareness is provided, appropriate and efficient irrigation is made available to support optimal and sustainable use of irrigable land, cost-effective hydropower is developed in a sustainable

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manner and economic uses of water by industries and water bodies by tourism, fisheries and navigation are optimized.

Mechanisms: Enhanced water-related information systems are made functional, appropriate legal frameworks are made functional, regional cooperation for substantial mutual benefits is achieved and appropriate institutional mechanisms for water sector management are made functional.

4.1.8 National Water Plan, 2062 (2005)

In order to implement the activities identified by the National Water Strategy, 2002, the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat formulated the National Water Plan (NWP), which was approved by the government in September 2005. The NWP recognizes the broad objectives of the Water Resource Strategy and lays down short-, medium- and long-term action plans for the water resources sector, including programs and project activities, investments and institutional aspects. The NWP attempts to address environmental concerns, which is reflected by the incorporation of the Environmental Management Plan in the document. This Environmental Management Plan will contribute to maximizing positive impact and minimizing or mitigating adverse impact in line with the environment sustainability concerns.

4.1.9 Leasehold Forest Policy, 2002

Leasehold Forestry Policy, 2002 mentions the need for increasing the participation of the private sector in a transparent way according to the legal provision of Forest Act and Regulation for the management of forests and natural resources in areas wherever the forests are degraded, rehabilitated forest areas destroyed by natural disaster and forest returned from encroacher. It also emphasize to increase the base of productive area and accelerate economic activities and should help to enhance the broad based economic growth rate as well as assist other sector through conservation of watershed area and environment.

4.2 Acts and Rules/Regulations

4.2.1 Environment Protection Act, 2053 (1997)

The Environment Protection Act, 1997 states that no development activities shall take place without conducting Initial Environment Examination (IEE) or Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study as per Schedule 1 and 2 of the Environment Protection Rules (EPR), 1997. Implementation of proposed project is only possible upon the approval of IEE/EIA by concerned governmental agencies (Sectoral Ministry) and then Ministry of Environment (MoE). The EPA outlines the process for the submission and approval of IEE or EIA Reports. The different sections of EPA, 1997 relevant to the proposed project are described below.

Section 3: Proponent should carry out IEE/EIA of the prescribed proposal.

Section 4: Proponent should not implement the proposals without approving IEE or EIA reports for the prescribed projects.

Section 5: Proponent should submit an IEE report for approval to the concerned agency, and EIA report to MoE through the concerned agency.

Section 6: Upon receipt of such proposal, the MoFE should approve the EIA Report if such proposal does not appear to have significant adverse impacts on the environment. Ministry of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation (MoEWRI) is the concerned ministry in the cases of Water Resources Projects (Hydro power and Irrigation).

Section 7: Industries or any others development projects owners are required not to discharge, emit or dispose waste, sound, radiation or any such acts which will cause pollution or to allow pollution to be caused in a manner which is likely to have significant adverse

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impacts on the environment or to harm human life or public health. Further, the section stipulates that causing pollution or allowing such pollution to be caused a punishable act.

Section 10:Any activity without the approval in the environmentally protected areas declared by GoN is prohibited.

Section 17: In case of pollution, creation of disposal, sound, heat or wastes by anybody contrary to this Act, any person or organisation that suffer any loss or damage, may, if she/he desires, have compensation recovered from the person, institution or proponent doing such act. An application must be made to the prescribed authority (Chief District Officer) stating the detail thereof. In connection with the determination of the amount of compensation, the CDO possesses the power to summon the concerned individual. The amount of compensation determined by the CDO under this rule must be appropriate and reasonable.

4.2.2 Environment Protection Rules, 2054 (1997)

The Environment Protection Rules(EPR), 1997 provides the detail provisions to prepare and submit the Scoping Report, Terms of Reference (ToR) and IEE/EIA report for approval. The different sections of EPR, 1997 relevant to the proposed project are described below.

Rule 3: A proponent shall be required to carry out the IEE of the proposals mentioned in Schedule 1 and EIA of the proposals mentioned in Schedule 2.

Rule 4: Proposal requiring EIA will have to prepare a scoping document incorporating the public concerns and apply to MoFE through concerned agencies. In this process a 15 days public notice in the national newspaper requesting suggestions and comments on environmental issues arising due to the proposal implementation has to be published. The MoE is empowered to review the document and give approval with or without needed amendments.

Rule 5: Proponent of both IEE and EIA proposals has to prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) of the proposal for approval. In the case of IEE, ToR is approved by the concerned agency whereas MoE will give ToR approvals for proposals requiring EIA.

Rule 7: Proponents of the EIA proposal has to organise a public hearing in the project affected area to collect public concerns and suggestions.

Rule 10: All the proposals submitted for approval will have to take letter of recommendations from the concerned affected VDCs and municipalities on the proposals.

Rule 11: MoE can only grant its approval to implement the proposal if it does not cause significant adverse effects on the environment.

Rule 12: Proponent is obliged to follow the terms of conditions set by concerned agencies or MoE in the approval letter during project implementation and operation.

Rule 13: Provides that the concerned agency to be responsible for the project monitoring.

Rule 14: Provides that the MoFE to be responsible for environmental audit after two years of project implementation.

4.2.3 Electricity Act, 2049 (1992)

The Electricity Act, 1992 enacted to manage the survey, generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and to standardize and safe guard electricity services enunciates some provisions related with environment.

Section 4(1) states that anybody who wants to conduct survey, generation, transmission or distribution of electricity shall be required to submit an application to the prescribed officer along with the economic, technical and environmental study report.

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Section 24 states that while carrying out electricity generation, transmission or distribution, it shall be carried out in such a manner that no substantial adverse effect be made on environment by of soil erosion, flood, landslide, air pollution etc.

Section 33 deals with the utilization and acquisition of land and houses. According to the Electricity Regulation, 2050, there is a mandatory provision of publishing a notice by DoED giving 35 days, stating the necessary particulars for information for public. Any person may furnish his reaction to DoED if the construction and operation of the project is likely to cause adverse effect. This section further states that GoN will assist in the process of land acquisition.

4.2.4 Electricity Rules, 2050 (1993)

In exercise of the power conferred by the Section 40 of the Electricity Act, 1992GoN, has framed the Electricity Rules, 1993.

The Rules 12 and 13 state that the proponent willing to produce and transmit electricity should analyze environmental impacts of the proposed projects and include impact mitigation measures and environmental measures including arrangements for the settlement of the displaced people.

Rule 88 state that any person or corporate body desiring to produce or transmit electricity shall submit an application requesting, for the use of such land. However, such land if regulated should be compensated (Rule 87), as determined by the Compensation Fixation Committee.

4.2.5 Public Road Act, (1974)

The Public Road Act, 1974 has been enacted to make provisions to classify all kinds of public roads and acquire lands required for the development, maintenance, expansion or improvement of the public roads and to collect development tax from landholders near the roads who benefit from the public roads, in order to maintain the convenience and economic interest of the general public.

4.2.6 Explosive Act, 2018 (1962)

Article 4 of the act emphasizes the need of permission for the use, sell, transportation and import of explosive item. The act made provision of penalty up to NRs. 20,000 if transporting or using the explosive items without proper permission. The act authorized chief District Officer to grant such permission. According to Article 8 of the act any accident caused by the use of explosives shall be informed to nearest Police Station to the earliest possible.

4.2.7 Water Resources Act, 2049 (1993)

The main objective of the Water Resources Act is to make legal arrangements for determining beneficial uses of water resources, preventing environmental and other hazardous effects thereof and for keeping water resources free from pollution.

Section 8 (1) states that any person or corporate body who desires to conduct survey or to utilize water resources has to apply to the prescribed authority and submit a detailed economical, technical and environmental report with other prescribed particulars.

Section 9 deals with the proper utilization of water resources for hydroelectricity.

Section 16 has a provision for land acquisition from government or public for the construction of a water resource projects. GoN will provide appropriate compensation as described under Land Acquisition Act, 2034(1977).

Section 18, 19 and 20 of this Act deals with water quality standards, water pollution and adverse effect on the environment. GoN may fix and maintain quality standards for water resources to establish the tolerance limits for the discharge of pollutants to minimize the adverse effect on the environment.

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Section 20 states that any construction activities, which utilize water resources, must minimize the impacts of soil erosion, landslide or other adverse environmental impacts.

Section 22 of this Act has a provision of penalties to the offenders who violates the rules and regulations.

4.2.8 Water Resources Regulations, 2049 (1993)

In exercise of the power conferred by section 24 of the Water Resources Act, 2049, Government of Nepal has made the Water Resources Rules.

Rule 17 obliges the proponents to analyze environmental impacts of the proposed action and include impact mitigation measures and environment protection measures including arrangements for the settlement of displaced people. The report should be a part of the application for the water resources utilization permits.

Rule 28 states that in a process of resolving any conflict, the Water Resources Utilization Investigation Committee should consider environmental impacts likely to occur from the proposal. It should also collect site-specific information on likely environmental impacts of the concerned project.

4.2.9 Soil and Watershed Conservation Act, 2039 (1982)

Watershed Conservation Act, 1982 was enacted as an expedient to make legal provisions on the land and watershed conservation by controlling natural calamities such as flood, landslide and soil erosion and maintain convenience and economic interests of the general public. Section 3 of the Act empowers GoN to declare any area a protected watershed area. Section 4 provides that the Watershed Conservation Officer, appointed by the GoN, has the authority to construct and maintain dams, embankment, terrace improvements, diversion channels and retaining walls, protect vegetation in landslide-prone areas and undertake afforestation programs, and regulate agricultural practices in protected watershed areas pertinent to soil and watershed conservation.Under Section 10 of the Act, power is extended to the Watershed Conservation Officer to grant permission to construct dams, drainage ditches and canals, cut privately owned trees, excavate sand, boulders and soil, discharge solid waste, and establish industry or residential areas within any protected watershed. The Act outlines the essential parameters necessary for proper watershed management (including both rivers and lakes). The Act is applicable only to protected watersheds.

4.2.10 Forest Act, 2049 (1993)

The Forest Act, 1993 recognizes the importance of forests in maintaining a healthy environment. As mentioned in the preamble, one of the major objectives of the enactment and enforcement of the Act is to promote the healthy environment. Decision - makers should take into account of all forest values, including environmental services and bio-diversity. The basis of the Act is to consider forest and forest products as "resource oriented" rather than" use oriented".

Section 49 prohibits reclaiming lands, setting fires, grazing, removing or damaging forest products, felling trees or plants, wildlife hunting and extracting boulders, sand and soil from the National forest without prior approval.

Section 68 empowers government to permit use of any part of government-managed forest, leasehold forest or community forest, if there is no alternative for the implementation of a plan or project of national priority without significantly affecting the environment.

4.2.11 Forest Regulations, 2051 (1995)

Forest Regulations, 1995, encourages the preparation and implementation of Operational Forest Management (Working) Plan in all categories of forests.

Rule 3 calls for the preparation and implementation of government managed forests, including programs related to soil conservation, and protection of the environment.

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Rule 9 (Clause 65) stipulates that the proponent of a project with national priority, occurring in any forested area, shall bear the amount of compensation to be paid for any loss or harm to any local individuals or communities. Similarly, the entire expenses required for the cutting and transporting of forest products in a forested area to be used by the project should be borne by the proponent.

Forest Regulations, 2051 has included 13 plant species and forest products legally protected under the regulation and GoN has, inter alia, banned the felling, transportation and export thereof.

4.2.12 Land Acquisition Act, 2034 (1977)

The Land Acquisition Act, 1977 is the core legal document to guide tasks related to land acquisition and resettlement activities in Nepal. Section 3 of the Act empowers GoN to acquire land for any public purpose, subject to the award of compensation.According to Section 4, institutions seeking land acquisition may also request GoN to acquire the land under the regularity provisions subject to be compensated by such institutions' resources. While acquiring land, GoN forms a Compensation Fixation Committee under the chairmanship of Chief District Officer (CDO) of the restrictive districts as per the Section 13 of the Act. Any grievances and objections will be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs through the local officers as per Section 11 of the Act.

The affected populations of the development projects have a limited role in the decision making of land compensation. The Act does not have provisions of rehabilitation measures to the affected parties and all decision powers are rested to the Compensation Fixation Committee a body comprising mostly government officials under the Act provisions.

4.2.13 Local Government Operation Act, 2074 (2017)

This act has been enacted to implement the rights and responsibilities of local level governments conferred by the Constitution of Nepal and to provide easy and quality service delivery by ensuring public involvement, responsibility and transparency by strengthening cooperation, coexistence and coordination between federal, state and local levels. This act defines the roles, responsibilities and rights of the local governments and their office holders. This act in Section 11 lists the rights, responsibilities and duties of local governments. Local governments hold the right to formulate, implement and monitor local level development programs and projects. The same section assigns the local government to formulate, implement and monitor policies, laws, standards and programs related to conservation of local environment and biodiversity, conservation of watershed, wildlife, mines and minerals, disaster management, land management and others. Local government also holds the right to levy taxes on properties, fees and charges on service.

4.2.14 Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangement Act, 2074 (2017)

This act have been enacted to provide necessary provisions regarding revenue rights, revenue sharing, grants, loans, budget arrangements, public expenditures and fiscal discipline of the Government of Nepal, the State and Local Level. This act has relevance regarding distribution of royalties imposed on the project. Section 7 of this act defines the procedure of distribution of royalty obtained from the natural resources. The distribution of revenue generated from the proposed development will be distributed adhering with this act.

4.2.15 Solid Waste Management Act 2068 (2011)

The solid waste management act 2068 vests the responsibility to make arrangement and management of Solid Waste on the Local Body (section 3 and 4). However, as per subsection 2 of section 4, the responsibility for processing and management of hazardous waste, medical waste, chemical waste or industrial waste under the prescribed standards shall rest with the person or institution that has generated the solid waste.

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4.2.16 Solid Waste Management Rules 2070 (2013)

According to this rule the concerned generator is responsible for managing the chemical or harmful solid waste. It provides the individual, organization or agency generating solid waste to make segregation of the wastes as prescribed. As such, the project is responsible for managing the waste generated by its activities. However, this rule is silent about specific solid waste management procedure to be adopted for different types of wastes.

4.2.17 Aquatic Animal Protection Act, 2018 (1961) (Amendment 2056)

The Aquatic Animals Protection Act, 1961 and amendment indicates an early recognition of the value of wetlands and aquatic animals. Section 3 renders punishable to any party introducing poisonous, noxious and explosive materials into a water resource, or destroying any dam, bridge and water system with the intent of catching or killing aquatic life. Under section 4, the government is empowered to prohibit catching, killing and harming of certain kinds of aquatic animals by notification in the Nepal Gazette. The act has been amended to include the provision that obliges the proponent to construct fish ladder at the dam site to ensure the movement of aquatic animal. If it is not possible, the proponent should establish fish hatchery or a nursery, close to the dam site of the water resource projects, for artificial reproduction and conservation (Section 5b).

4.2.18 Protected Area Management Regulations, 2017 BS (1997 AD)

In rule 29 of this regulation has provision of obtaining approval from the MoFE before utilizing water resources inside the protected areas.

4.2.19 Buffer Zone Area Management Regulations, 1996 BS (1996 AD)

Rule 17 - Gha of this regulation restricts introduction of harmful chemicals, poison or explosive in to river or water sources located inside buffer zones. However, use of these materials for development of hydropower or physical infrastructures with permission is not prohibited.

4.2.20 National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 (1973)

National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act makes arrangement for the management of national parks, conservation of wildlife and their habitat, regulate hunting and to conserve, promote, develop, and make appropriate arrangements for and the use of places which are of special importance from the point of view of natural beauty and to maintain good manners and welfare of the general public. The Act provides the legal basis for the management of Protected Areas. The Act recognizes the six categories of Protected Areas in Nepal, namely National Park, Strict Nature Reserve, Wildlife Reserve, Hunting Reserve, Conservation Area and Buffer zone. The Act defines the conservation area as the type of protected area that is managed according to an integrated plan for the conservation of the natural environment and the sustainable use of the natural resources contained within it. In Section 9, complete protection is accorded to 26 species of mammals, 9 species of birds and 3 species of reptiles and are considered as the protected wildlife and their hunting is prohibited.

4.2.21 National Park and Wildlife Conservation Regulation 2030 (1974)

These rules have set forth the provision for obtaining services from the national parks and reserves according to National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act.

4.2.22 Plant Protection Act, 2064 (2007)

Plant Protection Act, 2064 makes legal provisions for preventing the introduction, establishment, prevalence and spread of pests while importing and exporting plants and plant products, promoting trade in plants and plant products by adopting appropriate measures for their effective control.

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4.2.23 Labor Act, 2074

The act mandates the employer to give priority to the Nepalese citizen while employing the company personnel and workers. After a year of service, the company or employer has to employ the workers permanently with broadly defined position, roles and responsibilities and the pay scale. But those employed under contract for short duration of time will not entitled for permanent employment. The employer could terminate the employee with prior approval of the Department of Labour and prior notice to the employee as defined by the law. The labour act prohibits the employment of the child or under-aged person. The employer could not force the workers to work for long hours other than defined by the law. The employer has the responsibility to ensure the health environmental conditions of the workplace as defined by the law.The contract documents for the provision and management of work camps and working sites should be revised in light of the provisions made by the act. Safety gears will be provided to the workers.

4.2.24 Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora International Trade Control Act, 2073

This act has been enacted to regulate and control the international trade of endangered wild fauna and flora to ensure implementation of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 1973 to which Nepal is a party. It spells on the necessity of permission from the management authority to sell, purchase, hold, use, rear, exchange, import or export rare and threatened wild fauna and flora. Prior providing permission, the management authority needs to consult and obtain recommendation from the scientific authority. It identifies and defines the duties, responsibilities and rights of the management and scientific authorities in this regard.

4.3 Guidelines and Manuals

4.3.1 National Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines, 2050 (1993)

To address environmental impact assessment as envisaged by National Conservation Strategy, 1987, National Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines were endorsed by Government of Nepal on 27 September 1992 and gazetted on 19 July in 1993. The guideline provides criteria for project to conduct IEE or EIA studies. The guideline contains objectives, methods for screening projects required on the level of environmental assessment (IEE or EIA). This includes preparation of scoping and preparation of terms of reference for EIA, methods of EIA report, impact identification and prediction, impact mitigation measures, review of the draft EIA report, impact monitoring, evaluation of impact studies, impact auditing, community participation and schedules and annexes to IEE and EIA. Similarly, to ensure minimum impact on the environment, the guidelines stress to consider alternatives to the projects.

4.3.2 Buffer Zone Management Guideline, 2056

Buffer Zone Management Guideline 2056 aim to assist the national parks and reserves for the sustainable protection and conservation, and for the sustainable utilization and conservation of natural resources in the Buffer zone as well as to carry out community development programs with the local people through users, in an effective and uninterrupted manner in the buffer zone.

4.3.3 EIA Guideline for Forestry Sector, 2052 (1995)

The EIA guidelines for forestry sector aim to facilitate the sustainable use of forest resources for the socio-economic development and to meet the basic needs of the communities for forest products. The positive and negative impacts of any development project in the forest area are to be identified and plans must be developed to minimize environmental damage, conserving genetic resources and bio-diversity. The guideline encourages the proponent to identify the likely impacts of the projects particularly on the forests, propose mitigation measures and monitoring and evaluation system to ensure least impacts on forests and biodiversity.Any projects which will be implemented in the forest area need to addressed number of aspects in the IEE /EIA report mentioned in the guideline.

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4.3.4 DoED Manuals

Department of Electricity Development, Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development and International Resource Group have developed a series of manuals for the conduction and preparation of EIA and IEE documents in the power and transmission line development sector. Important manuals developed are:

Manual for preparing Scoping Document for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Hydropower Projects, 2001

The purpose of this manual is to facilitate the work of developers in the Scoping process as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of hydropower projects. Up to the present, the Scoping documents produced in Nepal have varied greatly in both size and content. This manual helps to guide the developer to prepare the Scoping report in a common format in order to save time and money.

Manual for Preparing Terms of Reference (ToR) for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Hydropower Projects, with Notes on EIA Report Preparation, 2001

Different types of ToRs for undertaking EIAs of hydropower projects are being developed and approved, although EPR, 2054 has recommended only one format of ToR. No uniformity exists in ToR and consequently the quality of EIA format is not consistent. Thus, the goal of this manual is to regularize the process and help to achieve the objectives of creating ToRs by creating more uniformity between the requirements of the EIA report and the matters discussed in the ToR.

Manual for Conducting Public Hearings in the Environmental Impact Assessment Process for Hydropower Projects, 2004

As per legal provisions, public hearing is mandatory and the proponents of hydropower development should conduct a public hearing. However, EPR, 2054 does not specify the number, location, timing, or process to conduct the public hearing. This has resulted in some confusion among the proponents and the concerned authorities and a lack of uniformity in conducting public hearings. This manual provides the general guidelines for the public hearing process and to help proponents conduct public hearings effectively for hydropower projects. Public hearing process will facilitate the public involvement process.

Manual for Public Involvement in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process of Hydropower Projects, 2001

This manual has been designed to help hydropower developers, concerned government agencies, the general public and other stakeholders to plan hydropower projects in cost-effective ways by carefully and sensitively addressing the socio-economic and cultural issues. The main objective of this report is to address the issues of public concern during the EIA study and to make the public participate during the assessment of physical, biological and socio-economic aspects of the environment. Public participation will improve the harmony between the project and the public to diminish conflicts during the project implementation phase. Thus, this manual recommends the developers to involve the public from the early phase of the project in order to lower time and costs during project planning and implementation.

Manual for Preparing Environment Management Plan (EMP) for Hydropower Projects, 2002

The principle objective of this manual is to guide the developer, whether public or private, to ensure that all mitigation measures recommended by the EIA are implemented and to provide a basis for examining whether the mitigation measures implemented are effective.

4.3.5 A guide to Environmental Monitoring of Hydropower Projects, 2006

The document has been developed by then Ministry of Science and Technology in 2006 toincrease the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures in the environmental assessment, to understand the ingredients of environmentalmonitoring and to include monitoring requirements in the environmental

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assessment reports forimplementation. The documents clearly describes about the institutions to be involved in environmental monitoring, timing of the monitoring, monitoring procedures and the monitoring parameters for hydropower projects.

4.3.6 Community Forestry Inventory Guidelines, 2061 (2004)

Community Forest Inventory Guidelines details the process and procedures for evaluating the forest stock and it’s harvesting potentials while preparing the operational plans with an objective to ensure sustainable harvesting by limiting the extraction within the annual increment.

4.3.7 Environmental Management Guidelines (Road), 2054 (1997)

The Guideline consists of environmental mitigation measures to be incorporated into Road projects, procedures for public participation, and socio-economic consideration. The Environmental Mitigation Measures are divided into 12 categories or activities and a method for implementation is given for each mitigation measures. The 12 categories are i) Quarries, ii) Borrow Pits, iii) Spoil and Construction Waste Disposal, iv) Work Camp Location & Operation v) Labour Camp Location & Operation, vi) Earthworks/Slope Stabilization vii) Use of Bitumen viii) Stockpiling of Materials ix) Explosive, Combustible and Toxic Materials Management x) Setting Up and Operation of Stone Crushing Plants xi) Water Management and xii) Air & Nose Pollution. These environmental mitigation measures should be used in conjunction with good engineering design, construction and operation practices. The guideline also suggests considering the various socio-economic issues like land acquisition and compensation, economic impacts and cultural heritage. The various implementation strategies are also suggested in the guideline.

4.3.8 National Health Care and Waste Management Guideline, 2059 (2002)

The guideline sets procedures for handling of health care waste. Which includes details of collection, separation, and final disposal of the waste for the safety of human health and hygiene vis a vis environmental contamination.

4.3.9 Work Procedure Regarding Use of National Forest Area for Projects of National Priority, 2074

This work procedure has been formulated and brought into effect in order to provide necessary guidance and regulate the matters related to giving assent for the use of national forest to the projects having national priority as provided by Section 68 of the Forest Act, 2049. In case there is no alternative except to use the Forest Area for the implementation of the projects having national priority, the Government of Nepal may give assent to use any part of the National Forest (including Government Managed Forest, Community Forest, Lease hold Forest or Religious Forest) for the implementation of projects and remove the trees thereof. This work procedure presents the procedural guidelines and list of documental evidences to be presented by the concerned ministry for receiving the assent for using national forest land. This work procedure requires such projects to prepare EIA or IEE report as per the prevailing act and rules prior implementation and the concerned ministry should receive consent from the Ministry of Forestsand Environment before approving the report.

The projects implemented with a motive to make profit should handover land equal in area of land used by its structural components as compensation. Projects that are to be handed over to the GoN after a period, if unable to provide such land can compensate in terms of money the land determined based on the standard devised by the Ministry of Forests and Environment. The proponent should plant 25 saplings for each tree felled in the land provided in compensation to the national forest land used by the project or land identified by the Divisional Forest Office if such lands are not provided and manage and conserve the plantation for at least 5 years at its own cost and hand over to the

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District Forest Office. In case the project is unable to do the compensatory plantation on self, it should provide the cost necessary to do the plantation and management and trending for five years to the respective DivisionalForest Office which will do the necessary plantation and trending works.

Projects that use national forest area temporarily should annually deposit money equivalent to the cost allocated for leasehold forest in Schedule 20 of Forest Regulation 2051 in the Federal Reserve Fund for the national forest land used temporarily. The projects implemented on states’ sources and non-profit ventures are exempt of such costs. Besides, the proponent should duly implement the mitigation measures identified in the approved EIA or IEE report at its own cost. After the GoN gives assent to the project for the use of national forest area, the respective department (Department of Forest) should make an agreement with the proponent with conditions to be followed by the project while using national forest area. The ministry of forest on self or through its subordinate agencies will monitor the compliance of the conditions of agreement and take necessary action in case of non-compliance.

4.3.10 Working Policy on constructing and operating physical infrastructures in Protected Area 2065 (2008)

There are mainly fourteen clauses in the working policy. Some of the project related clauses mentioned in the working policy are described below:

Working Policy 1: Land within the national park, reserve, conservation area or buffer zone will not be made available except for national priority projects.

Working Policy 4: For the project that uses the water from the river that flows through the boundary of national park, reserve, conservation area, or buffer zone will be granted permission for construction and operation of hydropower project on the following condition:

o Most of the project features shall be located outside the boundary of the national parks and reserve;

o The project shall release 10 % of monthly discharge of water and shall release the amount of water during the construction and operation period of the project as prescribed by the project related EIA report.

Working Policy 6:NationParks and Wildlife Conservation Act and Rules related to the Act should be followed while carrying out the feasibility study and constructing the proposed hydropower project that utilizes the river that flows within the national park, reserve, conservation area or their boundaries.

Working Policy 7:After operation of the project, the proponent of the hydropower project should provide 10% royalty, out of the total royalty to be provided to the GoN, to the related national park, reserve or conservation area for environmental conservation and social development.

Working Policy 8: MoFE, MoEWRI, DoED and DNPWC shall carry out annual monitoring whether the mitigation measures are implemented or not by the project proponent with its own resources as prescribed in the IEE/EIA reports.

Working Policy 9:For the purpose of environmental conservation, the proponent should plant 25 times of the trees felled or removed and should take care for such plantation.

Working Policy 10:The proponent should carry out plantation on the area equivalent to the government land area of national park, reserve, conservation area or buffer zone occupied by the project features. The plantation should be carried out in the area as identified by the related office. The project should manage the plantation area for 5 years at its own cost and handover the plantation to related office. If the proponent is unable to do so, they should

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provide the cost for planting the trees and caring for five years to the related office that will carry out the plantation as per the norms.

Working Policy 11: Royalty for the forest products used for the construction of the project should be paid to the related national park, reserve, or conservation area as defined by the Forest Regulation, 2051 (1995).

Working Policy 12:Monitoring unit comprising the technician of national park/reserve/conservation area or buffer zone management committee and project official should be established for monitoring the project construction and operation activities.

4.3.11 Concept Paper on Elimination of Energy Emergency and Electricity Development Decade, 2015 (2072)

The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (then the Ministry of Energy) has issued a Concept Paper on Elimination of Energy Emergency and Electricity Development Decade, 2015 (2072) (“Concept Paper”) on February, 2016, with the objective to substantially end the power outage within the next one year, completely end power outage (even in the dry season) within the next two years, and to ensure energy security within the next decade.It is relevant to note that this is the third time the GON has declared “Energy Emergency” in the last eight years. However, this time around, the GON has identified a detailed action plan with timelines, to ensure that the aforesaid objectives are met.

4.3.12 Wildlife Damage Relief Guideline -jGohGt' af6 xg] Ifltsf] /fxt;xof]u ;DaGwL lgbl{]zsf_, 2066

As per the preamble of the Wildlife Damage Relief Guidelines 2066 (2009) the main reasons for the introduction of the relief/compensation scheme is to reduce conflict between local communities and conservation agencies and to increase communities’ support and ownership for conservation initiatives. The Wildlife Damage Relief Guidelines have provisions for compensation of loss of human life and livestock, damages to vegetables and fruit orchards and physical assets and treatment in case of injuries.

4.3.13 Forest Product Collection, Sales and Distribution Guideline, 2056 (2000)

The guidelines clauses 3 to 10 have specified various procedure and formats for getting approvals for vegetation clearance, delineation of lands for vegetation clearance, evaluation of the wood volume etc, and government offices and officials responsible for the approval. These provisions have a direct relevance to the development of the projects and need compliance to these provisions.

4.3.14 Community Forest Guidelines, 2058 (2001)

Realizing the contribution by the Forest User’s Group in management, preserving and Development of forest in the country and for the proper management and development of the community forest in the country, then the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation issued Community Forest Guidelines 2058. This has further strengthened the management capability of the Community Forest User’s Group.

4.4 International Conventions

4.4.1 Convention on Biological Diversity, (1992)

GoN is committed to the protection and management of biological resources and their diversity on a sustainable basis for the benefit of Nepal's present and future generations and for the global community as a whole in accordance with the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The objective of this convention was to conserve the flora and fauna useful to human being and for the Sustainability of ecosystem. The Nepalese parliament ratified the convention in 1993 and has taken policy and legal measures for the conservation of biodiversity in compliance with the convention. This convention

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provides the broader framework on the need for carrying out EIA or IEE to minimize adverse impacts of the projects and programs on biodiversity. The convention has 27 Articles. Some of them related to our study are given below.

ARTICLE 1

Objectives: The objectives of this convention, to be pursued in accordance with its relevant provisions are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding.

ARTICLE 12

Impact assessment and minimizing adverse impact: Each contracting party, as far as possible and as appropriate shall introduce appropriate arrangements to ensure that the environmental consequences of its programs and policies that are likely to have significant adverse impacts on biological diversity are duly taken into account.

4.4.2 Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Nepal became a contracting party in this convention in 1975. It is an international agreement between governments with an aim to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. This convention provided for the international coordination of trade and control of wild fauna and flora whose conservation status is unfavourable through the acceptance of obligations under international law. The objective of the treaty is to arrest, reduce or eliminate the international trade in those species whose number or contribution suggests further removal of individuals from its natural habitat and the activities that would be detrimental to the species survival.

Roughly 5,000 species of animals and 25,000 species of plants are protected by CITES against over-exploitation through international trade. They are listed in the three CITES Appendices. Appendices I, II and III are lists of species with different levels or types of protection from over-exploitation.

Appendix I list species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. These are threatened with extinction and CITES generally prohibits commercial international trade in specimens of these species. However, trade may be allowed under exceptional circumstances, e.g. for scientific research. In these cases, trade may be authorized by granting both an export permit (or re-export certificate) and an import permit.

Appendix II list species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called "look-alike species", i.e. species of which the specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons. International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting an export permit or re-export certificate; no import permit is necessary.

Appendix III is a list of species included at the request of a Party that already regulates trade in the species and that needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation. International trade in specimens of species listed in this Appendix is allowed only on presentation of the appropriate permits or certificates.

4.4.3 International Labor Organization Convention (169), (1989)

The General Conference of the International Labour Organisation adopted convention No. 169 in 1989 at its seventy-sixth session. The Legislative Parliament of Nepal ratified it in 2007. Convention No. 169 aimed at the protection of indigenous and tribal peoples and their rights. It is the foremost international legal instrument which deals specifically with the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, and whose influence extends beyond the number of actual ratifications. The convention has 40 Articles.

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Some of them related to our study are given below:

ARTICLE 4.1

Special measures shall be adopted as appropriate for safeguarding the persons, institutions, property, labour, cultures and environment of the peoples concerned.

ARTICLE 6.1

In applying the provisions of this Convention, governments shall consult the peoples concerned, through appropriate procedures and in particular through their representative institutions, whenever consideration is being given to legislative or administrative measures which may affect them directly

ARTICLE 6.2

The consultations carried out in application of this Convention shall be undertaken, in good faith and in a form appropriate to the circumstances, with the objective of achieving agreement or consent to the proposed measures.

ARTICLE 7.1

The peoples concerned shall have the right to decide their own priorities for the process of development as it affects their lives, beliefs, institutions and spiritual well-being and the lands they occupy or otherwise use, and to exercise control, to the extent possible, over their own economic, social and cultural development.

ARTICLE 7.3

Governments shall ensure that, whenever appropriate, studies are carried out, in co-operation with the peoples concerned, to assess the social, spiritual, cultural and environmental impact on them of planned development activities. The results of these studies shall be considered as fundamental criteria for the implementation of these activities.

4.4.4 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (1992)

Realising the scientific evidence on greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, the United Nations General Assembly established the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in 1990 to prepare an international instrument on climate change. The INC drafted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was adopted on 9 May 1992 at the UN Headquarters in New York. The UNFCCC - a global treaty - provides the international framework for managing climate change. The Convention has the ultimate objective of achieving stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system; and of achieving such a level within a time-frame sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to economic development to proceed in a sustainable manner. Nepal signed this Convention on 12 June 1992 and became Party to it in 1994.

4.4.5 Ramsar Convention 1975 (Convention on wetland of international importance especially as waterfowl habitat)

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl habitat, known as the Ramsar Convention, has entered into force in 1975. It aims to protect the wetland ecosystems from further destruction. It urges the parties to conserve wetlands, promote their sustainable utilization, and set aside special areas as wildlife reserve. Every country is required to designate at least one wetland for inclusion on the list of wetlands. Nepal is an international flyway for migrating waterfowl in South Asia. This agreement may have a bearing on the development potential of wetland area at hydropower project sites.

The Strategic Plan of the Ramsar Convention has emphasized on the conservation of the wetlands and urges parties to conduct environmental assessment of the development proposals that are likely to have significant impacts on wetlands

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4.5 Standards

4.5.1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nepal, 2060 (2003)

Ministry of Forests and Environment (then the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology) published the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Nepal in 2003 to comply with the standards. The standards set a concentration limit in ambient air for different parameters like Total Suspended Particulates (TSP), PM10, Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Lead and Benzene.

4.5.2 Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standards, 2069 (2012)

GoN has released the Nepal Vehicle Mass Emission Standard, 2069, popularly known as EURO III standard to regulate vehicular emission. This standard is primarily based on vehicles fuelled with gasoline and diesel and parameters such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matters have been considered. Furthermore, these standards are based on type approval and conformity of production of the vehicles.

4.5.3 National Ambient Sound Quality Standard, 2069 (2012)

It has set the limit of allowable noise in different areas like industrial area, commercial area, settlement areas in rural and urban settings, etc. The equipment used during may emit noise beyond the limits. However, they will be instantaneous and the government standard will be complied will as far as practicable for the work situation.

4.5.4 Standard on Emission of Smoke in Air by New and Existing Diesel Generator, 2069 (2012)

These standards prescribed for diesel fuelled vehicles primarily based on parameters such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen and particulate matters. It adopts EURO III Standard to be followed for New Diesels Generator and Euro II for Existing Generator. The generators used during project construction will follow these standards.

4.5.5 National Water Quality Standard, 2064 (2008)

National Water Quality Standard, 2064, has set the limit for different physiochemical parameters as well as micro-organisms for drinking water.

4.5.6 Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be discharged into Inland Surface Waters, 2003

It has set tolerance limits for the industrial effluents to be discharged into the inland surface water. Since the project is considered as an industry, it will have to comply with the tolerance limits set in the standard prior to the discharge of the effluents into the inland surface water during the construction and operation period.

4.6 Administrative Framework

4.6.1 Central Level Administrative Framework

Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MOEWRI)

One of the major functions of Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation is integration of IEE, EIA and other aspects of environment in water resources projects. In this Project, the MOEWRI will facilitate the EIA report approval process by timely sending it, with its comments and suggestions, if any, to the Ministry of Forests andEnvironment (MoFE). It can also make necessary arrangements for land and property acquisition for the smooth implementation of the Project. As per the EPR (1997), the Ministry shall be involved in environmental monitoring and it should also issue necessary directives

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to the Proponent to adopt measures to reduce or avoid adverse environmental impacts. The Ministry has also the responsibility to inform MoFE about such directives issued to the Proponent.

Department of Electricity Development (DoED)

DoED is a Government department, which works under the mandate provided by the MOEWRIand actsunder the legislative authority provided by the GoN. DoED can provide valuable input during the IEE/EIA study and report preparation. It could speed up the approval process by providing early suggestions during the preparation of the report. DoED shall appoint the staff especially during the public hearing so that the consultant cannot neglect local people's concerns during the implementation of the project. Further, the DoED can participate in environmental monitoring works on behalf of the MOEWRI.

Ministry ofForests and Environment (MoFE)

Ministry ofForests and Environment (MoFE) has the responsibilities for the implementation of the Environmental rules and regulations and comply the developer to follow the rules and regulations for the betterment of the environment. In the field of EIA, the legislation empowers MoFEto approve all EIA reports. As per the environmental law, MoFEshould be involved in preparing the environmental auditing report after two years of operation of the project. It has got the authority to appoint or designate environmental inspectors to ensure the compliance of the environmental requirements by the proponent during the construction and operation phase of the project.Once the EIA report is received, MoFEshall approve it in the stipulated time period as per the EPR, 1997 with a view to assist the Proponent to implement the Project in time.

The Ministry, through the related District Forest Office, will allow the use of forest land for project by taking the appropriate mitigation measures and under the current norms and regulations. But it strictly bans the unnecessary felling of trees. Respective district forest office and range posts provide the technical support to the proponent during the project implementation regarding matters of forestry and environmental monitoring of the forestry sector.

4.6.2 Local Level Administrative Framework

Ward, Rural Municipality and District Coordination Committee

Gaunpalika or Rural municipality is the newly formed lower administrative division in Nepal. The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development dissolved the existing Village Development Committees (VDCs) and announced the establishment of this new local body. The main purpose of a Gaunpalika is similar to that of a VDC. Besides this, this division has the authority to collect various taxes like entertainment tax, business tax and residential tax at the local level. The chief is the head of a Gaunpalika. Similarly, Ward Chairperson and Ward members of a Ward under the Gaupalika shall carry out functions, duties and responsibilities subject to the supervision and directives of chief of gaupalika in addition to other functions, duties and powers provided in the existing laws.

The District Coordination Committee (DCC), is a district-level authority found in Nepal. It was formed in 2017 to replace the existing District Development Committee.The DCC is elected by the District Assembly, which consists of the Heads and Deputy Heads of all the Rural Municipalities and Mayors and Deputy Mayors of all the municipalities in the district. The DCC acts as an executive to the District Assembly. The DCC coordinates with the Provincial Assembly to establish coordination between the Provincial Assembly and rural municipalities and municipalities and to settle disputes, if any, of political nature. It also maintains coordination between the provincial and Federal government and the local bodies in the district.

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CHAPTER 5

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL

CONDITION

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5 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION

The baseline information collected on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment of the project area is described below:

5.1 Physical Environment

5.1.1 Regional Geology

According to geological map of Nepal published by Deparment of Mines and Geology, the Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project lies in the Arun Window of eastern Nepal (Figure 5-1). This window is an erosional feature created along the Arun River valley where the upper thrust sheet of the Higher Himalaya has been eroded away exposing the underlying metasedimentary rocks of the Lesser Himalaya. Granitic augen gneiss is the main rock type exposed in the project area.

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(Source: Upreti and LeFort, 1999)

Figure 5-1 Geological Map of Nepal showing project area

SKHP Location

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Following the stratigraphy of Bordet (1961) and Lombardo et al (1963), the project area lies in the Granite augen gneiss and Kyanite Schist of Num Orthogneiss Unit of Lesser Himalaya. The regional geological map showing the stratigraphy of the area is given in Figure 5-2.

Figure 5-2 Regional geological map of Arun Window after Bordet, 1961 and Lombard et al, 1963

The augen gneisses schuppe consists of mylonitic biotite gneiss with large augen shaped potash feldspars porphyroblasts. The original rock of this gneiss is unknown whether it is the basement gneisses or the midland metasediment group (Akiba et al, 1973).The resistant nature of the bedrock has given rises to steep cliffs and hillslopes in the project area where river valleys form deep V-shaped (and U-shaped)

Project Area

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valleys.The river terraces and flood plain consists of recent alluvial deposits and the hillslopes consists of residual and colluvial soil in the area. The stratigraphy of the area as suggested by Bordet (1961) is given below.

Table 5-1 Litho-tectonic division of the project area (Bordet, 1961 and Lombardo et al, 1963)

Unit Group Formations Main lithology Age

Quaternary Deposit

- Alluvial and colluvial soil

Sub-rounded pebble to cobble to boulder with proportion of clast higher than that of matrix in alluvial soil

Angular to sub angular gravel to pebble sized clast in silty sandy clay matrix with proportion of matrix higher than that of clast

Recent

Higher Himalaya

MCT

Higher Himalaya Crystallines

Makalu Granite

Black Gneiss

Migmatite

Barun Gneiss

Granite, gneiss, migmatite Precambrian

Lesser Himalaya

Upper Thrust Unit

Granite Orthogneiss

Marble, Calc-silicate rocks, Aphibolite

Quartzite

Garnet Schist

Granite, Gneiss, Marble, Amphibolite, Quartzite, Garnet Schist

Precambrian to Lower Palaeozoic

Num Orhtogneiss

Granite Augen Gneiss, Kyanite Schist

Granite, Augen Gneiss and schist

Precambrian

Lower Thrust Unit

Granite Orthogneiss

Quartzite and Schist

Orthogneiss, quartzite and schist -

Tumlingtar Unit Phyllite, quartzite, garnet schist

Phyllite, quartzite and Schist -

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5.1.2 Project Geology

Rock types

Granite, augen gneiss and kyanite schist are the main rock type in the project area. Throughout the project alignment, granitic augen gneiss is exposed as the bedrock. The rock is light grey, fresh to slightly weathered, strong to moderately strong, medium to coarse grained, moderately to thickly foliated, and is generally dipping in south-east direction.

Soil types

The project area consists of colluvial and alluvial loose coarse-grained soil. Residual soil is also observed in some places.

Alluvial soil

The flood plains along the bank of Sankhuwa Khola comprises of recent alluvial deposits. The soil consists of boulder to cobble to pebble sized clasts in sandy silty matrix. The soil is light grey in color and contains about 40% clasts (gravel, cobble and boulders), 40% sand and 20% silt matrix. Boulders with diameter <1m are observed sparsely throughout the plains. The clasts are rounded to sub-round contained in non-cohesive fine to coarse grained sand and silt. The thickness of the alluvium deposit varies from 2 to more than 15m. Some of the alluvial soil along the river bank are used by locals for cultivation.

Colluvial soil

Colluvial soil are deposited along the hill slope and at foothill throughout the project area as a result of landslide and/or local erosion. The soil consists of gravel to cobble sized very angular to angular fragments of bedrock distributed through the silty sandy matrix. Colluvial soil in the project area are brown to dark grey in color and consists of 50-60% coarse material and 40-50% fine materials. Cohesive, fine soil deposit is also observed in some locations within the colluvial soil. The thickness of the soil deposit varies from less than a meter to more than 25m in some places.

Residual soil

Residual soil formed as a result of in-situ weathering of bed rock are present in the hill slopes on the banks of Sankhuwa Khola, mostly on the uphill slopes. The soil is formed of brown to dark grey cohesive clay mix with sand and silt and occasionally contains angular gravels of parent rock. The thickness of the soil varies from 0.5 m to >20 m. Most of the cultivated land in the hill slopes of the project area are composed of this type of soil.

5.1.3 Geological Structures of the Project Area

Arun Window

Structurally the project area lies in the Arun Window formed by dissection of deep V-shaped valley along the Arun River. The higher Himalayan Thrust sheet is eroded along the valley exposing the lower Lesser Himalayan Sequence. The Main Central Thrust outlines the boundary of Higher Himalaya and Lesser Himalaya throughout the window. The project area lies in the Lesser Himalayan sequence consisting of granitic augen gneiss belonging to Num Orthogneiss Unit.

Main Central Thrust (MCT)

The Main Central Thrust (MCT) is a major lithologic, metamorphic and structural discontinuity, which separates the underlying Lesser Himalaya from the overlying Higher Himalayan sequences. The MCT is a thick thrust fault represented by high-grade metamorphic rock sequences formed under ductile conditions in deeper parts of the crust. It is believed to be inactive and has very less to no motion along the thrust. The project area is sandwiched between Upper Thrust Unit and Lower Thrust Unit making MCT exposed to the North as well as South of the project alignment. However both exposed thrusts are significantly away from the project alignment, thus has almost no effect on the rock mass in the

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area. Hence from engineering point of view the MCT will not cause any problem during construction of tunnels.

The other major Himalayan Thrusts namely The Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) lies considerably far from the project location and do not have any influence in the project area. Proximity of the major faults of Nepal in the project area is presented in Table 5-2.

Table 5-2 Proximity of the Major Faults of Nepal in the Project Area

Name of the fault Proximity to the project area Remarks

MCT About 4.6km North and 2km South Thrust, inactive

MBT About 60km South Thrust, active

HFT About 68km South Thrust, active

Weak/Shear zones and faults

No major shear or weak zones are observed during the geological mapping along the project alignment. The geophysical investigation work carried out in different locations also shows no such bands or zones. However layers of competent and incompetent rocks are obtained from geophysical investigation and such pattern can also be found in the tunnel during construction.

Joints

In general three sets of joints including the foliation joint are observed throughout the project area. The foliation joint is dipping toward south east to south west with dip angle ranging from 30o to 40o.

5.1.4 Geological conditions of the major project structures

Headworks Area

The headworks site of the SKHP is located near Budhabare village of Sankhuwasabha district. Granitic gneiss is well exposed on the both bank of the Sankhuwa Khola. The rock mass of granitic gneiss is slightly to moderately weathered, medium to coarse grained, moderately foliated and jointed in nature. The geological condition in each project component in the headworks area is described in the following sections.

Diversion weir

The Sankhuwa Khola at the headworks site has a steep slope and river bed contains numerous large boulders. The weir is proposed at about 100 m downstream from the confluence of Sisuwa and Sankhuwa Khola near Budhabare. Suitable location for intake site is available at the outer bend of the river course at the right bank. At the right bank of the Sankhuwa Khola just below a big boulder, side intake location is fixed. This is considered as the best location for the Weir/ intake available in this stretch.

On the left bank of the proposed weir axis, there is a terrace consisting of alluvial deposits of about 10m high. The right bank is a flat area consisting of the same material and has enough space for the construction of intake, gravel trap and settling basin. The nearest rock exposure present from both banks of the Sankhuwa Khola consists of the gneiss rock. The hill slope far beyond from the proposed settling basin area consists of steep slope of Gneissicrockmass. The attitude of foliation plane is 190/35 (dip direction/dip amount). The attitude of the prominent joint set observed are 95/55, 05/50 (dip direction/dip amount).

On the left bank of the river, alluvial deposit covers the weathered bedrock where thickness of the soil cover gradually increase to the downstream part as depicted by SRT result.On the right bank in diversion area, the ERT and SRT results show alluvium deposit with an average thickness of 6m. However, to further confirm this interpretation, two drill holes were carried out in the headworks

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area. One is at the left bank of the diversion weir and other is at the right bank of the weir axis each of 15 m indicating bedrock is not encountered upto the drilling depth. Hence, the foundation of each bank of weir is on the riverved materials. The coefficient of permeability value is in the range of 0.26 to 0.039 in drill hole oneand 0.024 to 0.074 in drill hole two shows that the soil of that area is permeable.

Approach culvert

From the intake, approach culvert will be constructed on alluvial deposit along the right bank of Sankhuwa Khola. Throughout the length of the approach culvert the foundation will be on alluvial deposit. A 15m drilling depth is conducted at the approach culvert area showing bedrock is not found upto the drilling depth indicating foundation material at approach culvert is of alluvial deposit. The coefficient of permeability value is in the range of 0.01to 0.009 shows that the soil of that area is permeable.

Surface settling basin and Headrace Pipe

Settling basin is selected at an open flat area on the right bank of Sankhuwa River. This location is about 100m downstream from the proposed weir axis. Settling basin is proposed on alluvial deposit on the right bank of the Sankhuwa Khola. The alluvial soil consists of about 40% gravel, 40% sand and 20% silt mixed with boulders. The area is sufficient to locate the settling basin. The settling basin clearance from the valley slope should be sufficient or need protection of the slope considering possibility of slope failure in the future.

In the settling basin area two SRT profiles (across and along the settling basin)and an ERT profile were surveyed. The ERT result shows thick alluvium deposit with the thickness between 5 and 15m.The alluvium deposit is underlain by a 10-20m thick layer of weathered rocks as depicted by SRT.

Core drilling of 15 m drilling depth, conducted at the settling basin area shows no bedrock upto the drilling depth indicating foundation material at settling basin is of alluvial deposit. The coefficient of permeability value is in the range of 0.01 to 0.034 shows that the soil of that area is permeable.

Right bank is selected as suitable alignment for headrace waterways of the project to convey water from settling basin to the surge shaft.

Headrace tunnel Inlet Portal

The inlet portal is located on the right bank of the Sankhuwa Khola. The rock is fresh to slightly weathered, light grey, medium to coarse grained, moderately to thickly foliated and strong to medium strong gneiss. The attitude of foliation is 190º/35º (dip direction/ dip amount) and that of joint set are 95/55 and 05/50 (dip direction/dip amount). The slope stability analysis shows that the area is prone to wedge failure thereby, creating the possibility of getting jointed block or wedge block failure from J1 and J2and F and J1, if not anchored properly.

Along SRT near to the inlet portal, 2-7 m thick colluvium deposit overlies the weathered rock. An ERT was surveyed at inlet portal along the headrace tunnel, the result of which shows thickness of 3-6 m of surface soil. A thin layer of weathered rock with an average thickness of 5 m is underlain by fresh bedrock.

Headrace Tunnel

The total length of the headrace tunnel is 4567m starting from the inlet portal to the outlet. The proposed alignment was selected based on the sufficient rock cover, rock mass quality as well as hydraulic gradient of the proposed waterway. The pre-dominant rock type along the headrace tunnel alignment is light greyish white, fresh to slightly weathered, medium strong to strong, moderately to thickly foliated gneiss and schist. In general, tunnel alignment is almost perpendicular to the foliation plane which is fair excavation condition. An orientation of foliation is 110/25 (dip direction/dip amount) with two prominent joint set 140/80 and 150/25 (dip direction/dip amount). The slope stability analysis shows that the area is not prone to any types of slope failure. The rock mass quality ranges from poor rock to very poor rock, basically lining type will be steel fibre shotcrete with pattern rock bolting and some part (85m) will be concrete lining.

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According to the surface observation, the quality of rock mass distribution at the level of the proposed tunnel alignment was estimated. This estimated quality of rock mass distribution is mainly based on rock mass rating at different rock exposures and it may vary in situ structural grade. The rock mass quality distribution is given in the Table 5-3.

Table 5-3 Rock mass distribution prediction along the headrace tunnel

Rock class Q- value Percentages Tentative length

I) Fair rock >4.0 - -

II) Poor rock 4.0 -1.0 32.12 1467

III)Very poor rock 1.0 – 0.4 59.38 2712

IV) Very poor rock 0.4 -– 0.1 2.12 97

V)Extremely poor rock 0.1 – 0.02 0.5 25

VI) Extremely -Exceptionally poor rock <0.02 5.8 266

Adit

The rock in the area is thinly to moderately foliated, light grey, medium grained, strong to moderately strong, and fresh to slightly weathered granitic augen gneiss. The attitude of foliation is 182/30 (dip direction/ dip amount). The colluvial cover above the portal location slope shall be cleared and the slope will be shotcreted with the combination of rock bolts as required. From the surface geological mapping and rock mass classification, support of class IV type is estimated for the adit tunnel.

Surge shaft

The surge shaft is located on the Lukuwa forest of Bhojpur district on the left side of Lukuwa Kholsi. Gneiss is exposed in the kholsi and most of the area is covered by colluvial soil. The attitude of foliation is 120/40º (dip direction/ dip amount) and that of joint set are 165/60 and 230/55 (dip direction/dip amount). The slope stability analysis shows that the area is not prone to wedge failure. Results and interpretation of the ERTcarried out in surge shaft area reveals a thin (2-5m thick) layer of colluvium underlain by weathered rocks and 5-10m thick colluvium overlies weathered rocks.

Headrace Tunnel outlet portal

Bedrock is slightly exposed and most of the area is covered by colluvial soil. The rock outcrop is moderately foliated, light greyish white, medium to coarse grained, strong to medium strong gneiss. The attitude of foliation is 120/40 (dip amount/dip direction). The portal location is covered by deposit. It needs some slope excavation to get appropriate rock face for the portal.

Penstock alignment

The penstock alignment consists of the combination of approximately 32 m long embedded penstock followed by 120 m long vertical shaft, 479 m long inclined pressure shaft and 369 m long surface penstock. The vertical shaft and horizontal pressure shaft runs from the fresh to slightly weathered, strong to medium strong, moderately to widely foliated gneiss rock. The surface alignment is almost straight and runs from the cultivated lands consisting of colluvial of dominance of fine particles.

The attitude of foliation plane is 110/25 (dip direction/dip amount). The attitude of the prominent joint set observed are 155/55, 210/45 (dip direction/dip amount).

To explore subsurface geological conditions of penstock, three ERT-profiles were surveyed. Among them ERT at ventilation portal reveals thick (12 m in average) colluvium deposit and ERT along penstock shaft reveals 15 m thick colluvium deposit underlained by weathered rocks.

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Powerhouse

Powerhouse location is proposed at the alluvial terrace deposit on the right bank of the Arun River in Bumling.The location of the powerhouse has been selected to ensure that it is free from the risk of flooding that can arise in the Arun River in the monsoon season. The space available for the powerhouse is sufficient to accommodate all necessary facilities.

SRTwere surveyed across the powerhouse and ERTwas surveyed at penstock outlet across the powerhouse. The results along these profiles indicate 5-15m thick colluvium on the surface.

A 25m drilling depth is conducted at the powerhouse area showing bedrock is not found upto that drilling depth indicating foundation of powerhouse is on the river bed material.

Tailrace

The tailrace structure of the SKHP is of box culvert type and passes along the alluvial deposits on the right bank of the Arun River. The alluvial soil in this area consists of coarse grained sand and gravel with pebbles, cobbles and boulders and also small amount fines. The coarse materials are rounded to subrounded and are poorly sorted in this location.

Project component access road

Proposed project component access road alignment (Bumling to Powerhouse) will follow the right bank of the Arun River to reach Powerhouse location in Bumlingtar. The road alignment passes through the cultivated land until it reaches to Bumlingtar. The cultivated land consists of alluvial deposits of Arun River. The alluvial deposits in this area is composed of coarse grained sand and gravel with pebbles, cobbles and boulders with small amount of fines. The coarse materials are round to sub-round and are poorly sorted in this location. The road follows a gentle slope. The road alignment is not prone to any kind of geo-hazards.

The access road to Surgeshaft (Surgeshaft to Kulung Heluwabesi Marga) lies mostly on the colluvial soil. The exposed rock outcrop is moderately foliated, light greyish white, medium to coarse grained, strong to medium strong gneiss. The attitude of foliation is 120/40º (dip direction/ dip amount) and that of joint set are 165/60 and 230/55 (dip direction/dip amount). The slope stability of the terrain shows that the area is not prone to wedge failure or any other type of slope failure. Towards the surgeshaft opening the road will follow a steep terrain.

5.1.5 Slope instabilities, mass wasting, landslides and soil erosion

Major mass wasting affecting the project is not observed so far along the project alignment. No major landslide features have been reported or noted close to the project development sites.But onelandslidesiteislocated along the right bank slope of the Sankhuwa Khola near Kamletar. Minor landslides are also present along the existing road from Bumling to Budhabare which are formed probably due to slope cutting for road construction.

5.1.6 Mineral resources in the project area

Detail geological mapping of the project premises show the presence of non-economical minerals as the constituents of rock mass. Different rock samples having thin layers of mineral constituents from the project area are presented in the follwong Table 5-4.

Table 5-4: Mineral constituent percentage

Minerals Rock Type

Gneiss Schist

Quartz 46- 50% 15-20%

Feldspar 20-35% 10-15%

Biotite 20% 25%

Muscovite 15% 20%

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Toumaline 1% 1-2%

Garnet 5%

Kyanite 5%

Silliminiite 8%

5.1.7 Topography and Land Use Pattern

Project districts (Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur) are located in Province – 1 (then Eastern Development Region) of Nepal covering a combine total area of about 5008 km2. Sankhuwasabha extends from elevation range of 250 masl at lowest point to 8,463 masl at highest point of Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth highest peak. The total area of the district is (3468 km2) 370,416 ha with total cultivated land area of 31,596 ha, which consisted of 8.53% of the total land area. The district is covered with pasture land of 38,900 ha, bushy rocky area of 73,054 ha, government land of 3,160 ha, and others 76,400 ha of the total cultivated land, irrigated land constituted 4,950 ha (15.7%), seasonal irrigated area constituted 9,422 ha (20.8%) and rain fed 17,224 ha (54.5%).

Similarly, Bhojpur district extends from 153 masl at lowest point at Hansapur to 4,153 masl highest point at Silichun. The total area of the district is 1,522 km2 (150700 ha) which constitutes 41.29% (62,229 ha) cultivated land, 50.29% forest area, 3.36% pasture land and 4.75 % rivers, rocky mountain and steep slopes. Out of total 62,229 ha of cultivated land, only 14.6% is irrigated land (DDC, Bhojpur 2069).

The project extends from 354.85 masl altitude at the Powerhouse area (tail water level) to 670 masl altitude at the intake site (weir crest level). The terrain in the project area exhibits wide variation in slope gradient with settlements, cultivated land and forests at different locations. The majority of the land of the project affected area is being occupied by forest vegetation followed by agriculture land. The topography of the project affected area shows that the low land and flat land with gentle slopes are being used as cultivated terraced.

5.1.8 Geomorphology

Geomorphology of the project area is characteristics of typical hilly terrain of the Himalaya. The project area lies in the Midland zone of Eastern Nepal. Steep slopes and cliffs are general characteristics of the region. The hill slope ranges from gentle to very steep in the project vicinity. Some flat alluvial lands are observed on the riverbank. Gently sloping area are used by locals for cultivation.The resistant nature of the bedrock has given rises to steep cliffs and hillslopes in the project area where river valleys form deep V-shaped (and U-shaped) valleys.The river terraces and flood plain consists of recent alluvial deposits and the hillslopes consists of residual and colluvial soil in the area.

In the project area, Arun River is the main drainage of the area which flows from North to South in general. Sankhuwa Khola is one of its major tributaries that flows from northwest to southeast. Almost all rivers and streams make narrow V-shaped valley dissected by numerous small kholsi as tributaries.

5.1.9 Seismicity

Nepal has experienced a number of large earthquakes over the past few decades which have caused the substantial damage of life and property.The Seismological Centre, Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) has prepared a micro seismic epicenter map of the Nepal Himalaya and adjoining region to show the distribution pattern of earthquake epicenter in Nepal and adjoining region as well as the seismicity characteristics of the region.The map suggests that, western Nepal is seismically less active than rest part of Nepal.It is also clear from the map that there is a sparse cluster of earthquake epicenters in western Nepal.The data of epicenter map shows that the tectonic blocks of western, central and eastern part of the country are sensitive to earthquake hazard. Cluster of epicenters location indicates the frequency of reoccurring of the quake in those regions. The recent evidence of this fact is the disastrous quake of 12th Baisakh 2072 Gorkha Earthquake.This big earthquake recorded

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as moment magnitudes (Mm) of 7.8 is successively followed with few other major and hundreds of minor (>4 ML) earthquakes till date.

Figure 5-3: Micro seismicity epicentre map of Nepal

(Prepared by National Seismological Centre and Department of Mine and Geology)

The specific project related seismic studies were not carried out so far; however the SKHP area lies in the Seismic Zone 3 identified by the Building Code Development Project for Nepal (BCDP, 1994). According to Seismic Hazard Map Department of Mines and Geology (DMG), National Seismological Centre and the reduction factor 0.5-0.6 and the calculated effective design seismic coefficient for SKHP area is approximately 0.15 g to 0.20 g.

Figure 5-4: Project location on seismic hazard map of Nepal

(Bedrock peak ground horizontal acceleration contours in gals, DMG 2002)

Project area

N

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5.1.10 Climate and Meteorology

There is a huge diversity in climate across north to south in Nepal basically due to wide elevation difference and therefore climate is classified corresponding to the altitudes. Since the headworks of the SKHP is located at an elevation of 670 masl and thus the climatic condition of the project area is tropical type. However, as the Sankhuwa River basin at SKHP intake site extends up to the 6100 masl, the climate here is extended from Tropical to Arctic Zone with Cold temperate zone and Sub-arctic zone in between (Feasibility Study of SKHP, JV of ERMC and HCE, 2018). There is seasonal variation in climate throughout the project area. The climate of the project area can be divided into four seasons: Winter, Pre monsoon, Monsoon, and Post monsoon.

Climate in Nepal is dominated by Monsoon precipitation with more than 80 % of the annual precipitation occurring during monsoon (i.e, mid-June to mid-September). In general, precipitation above 5000 m falls as snow in winter period (Sharma, 1993).

Strong spatial and temporal variations exist in rainfall distributions of Nepal (Shrestha et al., 1999, 2000; Shrestha). July peaks with gradual onset are mainly concentrated in the Middle Mountains of the East (SR Kansakar et al., 2004). The catchment area of SKHP lies mostly in windward side thus receiving good amount of rainfall. Climatic data of the area were collected from the nearest meteorological stationat Khadbari (Latitude:27°23' N, Longitude: 87°12' E and Elevation: 1064m). Considering the rainfall pattern in nearby stations maintained by DHM, mean annual rainfall in Sankhuwa catchment is 2771 mm and mean monsoon precipitation is 1814 mm (Feasibility Study of SKHP, JV of ERMC and HCE, 2018). Spatial distribution of annual precipitation is presented in Figure 5-5.The nearest meteorological station from project direct impact area at Khadbari reveals the average annual temperature to range between a maximum of 25ºC to a minimum of 16.5 ºC.

Figure 5-5: Spatial distribution of annual precipitation in SKHP catchment

5.1.11 Catchment Characteristics

Sankhuwa Khola catchment lies in the Arun River Basin which has one of the major contributions in the Koshi River System that flows in the Eastern part of Nepal.

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The catchment at intake site ranges from 675 masl to about 6100 masl. The total catchment area upto the proposed intake site is 335.3 km2, out of which 61.9% of total area lies below 3000 m elevation, while only 1.1% of area lies above 5000 m elevation. As only around 1% of catchment area lies above permanent snow line i.e. 5000 masl, the catchment mostly consists of thick forest cover. The catchment of the Sankhuwa Khola upto the proposed intake site and Powerhouse site is shown in Figure 5-6.

Figure 5-6Catchment areain Intake site and Powerhouse Site

Sankhuwakhola is a small tributary to the Arun River which is itself one of the major tributary to Saptakoshi River System. The river is steep with an average gradient of 1 in 13 in the vicinity of headworks.

The catchment characteristics according to the topography of the Sankhuwa Khola at the proposed intake area are presented in Table 5-5. The calculation is entirely based on catchment delineation using ArcGIS. According to the hydrological regions of Nepal, categorized by WECS and DHM, the catchment area belongs to the Hydrological Region Iwith Monsoon Wetness Index (MWI) 1814 mm.

Table 5-5 Catchment characteristics according to topography

Elevation, masl

Catchment area, Km2

Headworks Area Powerhouse Area

% Area % Area

Above 5000 1.1 3.8 38.7 12035.8

Between 3000 and 5000 37 123.9 57.7 17956.0

Below 3000 61.9 207.6 3.7 1143.1

Total 100 335.3 100 31134.9

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5.1.12 Sankhuwa Khola Hydrology

There’s no gauging station installed and maintained in Sankhuwa River; hence SKHP is considered as a project on ungauged river. All the hydrological analysis thus, has been done in reference with the gauging stations available in the vicinity of project, maintained by Department of Hydrology and Meterology (DHM). However, a gauging station has been established in 2015 as a part of feasibility study in headworks site of Sankhuwa Khola in Budhabare.

Mean Monthly Flow

Estimation of mean monthly flow can give an indication whether the flow at the proposed site seems adequate for power generation. For the larger part of the year, the flow in any stream will be lesser than mean monthly flow because average flow is obviously between low flow and high flow. Therefore, the power flow diverted through intake of the project should be somewhat less than that of mean monthly flow. In order to develop an annual hydrograph of Sankhuwa Khola, various methods were considered during the Feasibility Study of SKHP. The values calculated by different methods were compared carefully.

Sankhuwa being ungauged catchment, regional analysis was considered more reliable in prediction of long term flow. Hence, the flow generated from Regional approach is adopted for further studies. Table 5-6 gives the discharge generated by different methods used for generating mean monthly flow.

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Table 5-6 Mean monthly flow generated from different methods

Month

Emperical Method Catchment area ratio

Regional Hydrology

(m3/s)

Discharge Measured at site (m3/s)

HYDEST

(m3/s)

Modified HYDEST (DHM 2004)

(m3/s)

MHSP

(m3/s)

Dudhkoshi at Rabuwa Bazzar

(m3/s)

Sabaya khola at Tumlingtar

(m3/s)

Balephi Khola at Jalbire

(m3/s)

Jan 4.16 8.09 4.75 5.26 6.03 6.92 6.15 7.35

Feb 3.54 6.86 3.92 4.33 5.08 6.01 5.21 6.87

Mar 3.22 4.17 3.64 4.11 4.67 5.76 5.28 6.11

Apr 3.41 4.3 4.62 4.92 6.19 6.53 6.35 5.77

May 4.72 6.13 5.3 8.86 15.23 9.43 9.10 8.86

Jun 15.41 30.05 16.16 30 32.13 29.09 32.96 25.62

Jul 47.15 72.53 46.24 70.97 48.4 73.28 64.88 33.87

Aug 56.34 98.77 54.98 73.6 50.83 89.96 54.74 30.90

Sep 43.02 66.23 42.55 56.49 46.69 63.25 52.9 28.83

Oct 18.88 31.53 19.82 21.95 24.27 27.85 25.11 15.67

Nov 8.19 14.72 9.59 10.53 12.42 13.65 10.97 11.87

Dec 5.32 10 6.24 6.97 7.93 9.24 8.73 8.20

Note: Catchment Area Ratio (CAR), Medium Hydropower Study Project (MHSP), and Methodologies for estimating hydrologic characteristics in ungauged locations (HYDEST)

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Flow Duration Curve

The Flow Duration Curve is a probability discharge curve that shows the percentage of time a particular flow is equaled or exceeded. In a run-off-the-river hydropower project, it is useful to know the variation of flow over the year so as to make ease to select the most appropriate turbine configuration as well as for project optimization.

The flow duration analysis was calculated from the daily flow and mean monthly flow.The flow duration curve generated using the monthly coefficient given by the ratio of regional monthly flow with monthly flow of Dudhkoshi at Rabuwa Bazzar to the daily series of Dudhkoshi gave a reasonable result and thus the same was adopted for further studies (Figure 5-7).

Figure 5-7Flow duration curve at the intake

Flood Flow

Flood flow plays an important role for the design of hydraulic structure. Basically such flow is considered in design of diversion weir, drainage works and canal or pipe crossings. The value of flood flow acts as safety factor in hydraulic design.

There is no flood data for the Sankhuwa Khola. The lack of flood data prevents the use of a traditional flood frequency analysis for estimation of the design floods. Hence, Flood frequency method and regional regression method was used to generate the flood flow.

Flood estimated using several methods are included in Table 5-7 andTable 5-8. The results given by these methods were compared. It was observed that the regression analysis method overestimated the flow for the small sized catchment like Sankhuwa, whereas, CAR with Sabayakhola and Balephi underestimated the flood flow. The flood flow derived from CAR method with Dudhkhoshi was found reasonable for intake site and thus adopted for further studies.

As powerhouse of Sankhuwa is proposed on right bank of Arun River, flood estimation for powerhouse site is considered more reasonable from CAR with Arun at Turkeghat.

Thus, the adopted 100 year return period floods for SKHP at intake (Sankhuwa Khola) and powerhouse location (Arun River) was calculated as 1141 m3/s and 6151 m3/s, respectively.

05

101520253035404550556065707580859095

100

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85% 90% 95%

Flow

, m3/

s

% Exceedance

Flow Duration Curve

15.68 m3/s

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Table 5-7: Flood flow at Sankhuwa Khola in Intake location using various methods

Return period

CAR with Dudhkoshi

(m3/s) (Adopted)

CAR with Sabaya Khola

(m3/s)

CAR with Balephi Khola (m3/s)

Regional Regression

analysis (m3/s)

2 296 181 350 358

5 522 293 557 709

10 672 367 693 942

20 816 439 825 1164

50 1002 531 995 1453

100 1141 600 1122 1670

200 1280 669 1249 1886

500 1463 760 1416 2170

1000 1601 829 1543 2385

Table 5-8 Flood flow at Arun River in Powerhouse location using various methods

5.1.13 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)

International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with several other organizations prepared an inventory of glaciers, glacial lakes and glacial lake outburst floods across the Hindu-Kush Himalaya in 2001. This study identified 2,323 glacial lakes above 3500 masl in Nepal. (Mool et al., 2001). In the case of Sankhuwa catchment as mentioned above, only around 1% of area lies above 5000 m elevation with significant area coverage by thick vegetation of Makalu Barun Conservation Area. The topographical characteristics as well google images suggest that there is no significant risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)(Refer Figure 5-8).

Return period CAR with Arun(m3/s)

(Adopted) Regional Regression analysis

method (m3/s)

2 2795 2275

5 3693 4111

10 4288 4096

20 4859 3930

50 5598 4791

100 6151 8169

200 6703 7889

500 7430 8682

1000 7980 8390

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Figure 5-8: Catchment Area of SKHP adopted from Google Earth

5.1.14 Existing Water Pollution Discharges and Receiving Water Quality

Rapid assessment indicated that the water quality of the Sankhuwa Khola is good. There are not any big industries that discharge effluents in the river directly. However, waste water discharged after activities like open defecation, bathing, washing utensils from the settlements and run-off from the animal huts located near by the riverbank are likely to be contributed to microbial contamination.Water quality monitored during the study in April 2018 is presented in detailes in Appendix Q.

5.1.15 Sedimentation

The river water in the post monsoon (December through March) is clear with moderate suspended sediment load. Average suspended sediment concentration in Sankhuwa Khola in 2015 found to be 517 PPM whereas in 2016 the average concentration was 653 PPM(Feasibility Study of SKHP, JV of ERMC and HCEL, 2018).

5.1.16 NoiseLevel and Air Quality

Except the noise of the following river and birds in the surrounding forest, the permanent source of noise of higher decibel was not detected during this site visit. Further, since the project area is not connected with motorable road and located away from industrial setting, vehicular and industrial noise is also not heard in the area. The equivalent sound level measured by the sound level meter in the headworks and powerhouse sites were 50 dBA and 48 dBA respectively.

The absence of road networks and industries has kept the area relatively clean. The major source of air pollutants observed was smoke coming from firewood burning at houses. Indoor air quality in the project area is found to be poor due to the use of traditional Kiln in the communities. Use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and ‘improved cooking stoves’ is limited to few household in the project area.

5.1.17 Solid Waste Management Practice

Since the project area is located away from industrial setting and urban area, source of solid waste in the project area is limited to households, pedestrian, animal waste and weekly bazaar. Even though, the area has no defined waste management practice, there is no significant issue of solid waste. The kitchen waste is usually feed to the animals and other household waste are thrown to the back yard. The animal waste/dung is used as manure in the farm land. The waste generated from weekly bazaar are usually left scatter. In the project area, scattered waste like plastic can also be seen along the foot trail thrown by the pedestrians.

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5.2 Biological Environment 5.2.1 Regional Context

Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur are adjoining districts and are located in Province -1 (then Eastern Development Region) of Nepal covering a combine total area of about 5008 km2 (Sannkhuwasabha; 3,486 km2 and Bhojpur; 1,522 km2).Out of this, more than half of the district area is covered with forest and pasture land. The forest and pasture land together covers 51.68% area of Sankhuwasabha district and 53.96% of Bhojpur district (DDC, 2069 and GON, 2010). The project districts exhibits the diverse landform, complex topographic conditions with high elevation, steep slopes, snow cap-mountains, narrow gorges and variation on seasonal moisture availability and temperature. Consequently, high diversity of forest type ranging from near-tropical dipterocarp monsoon forest on lower altitude to subalpine conifer stand and alpine grassland and tundra on higher altitude is available in the districts. The dominant tree species of the districts are Sal, Chilaune, Uttis, Pine, Katus etc. (DFO, Sankhuwasabha 2072, and DFO Bhojpur 2071).

Vegetation/Forest types

Forest span five bioclimatic zones (tropical, subtropical, lower and upper temperate, and subalpine and alpine) as follows:

Tropical zone (435-1000 masl)

The principal tree species of this zone are Shorea robusta and broad leaved forest species like Schima wallichii, Castonopsis indica, Alnus nepalensis, Albizia spp., Lagestroema spp., etc.

Sub-tropical zone (1000-2000 masl)

Forest of Pinus roxburghii, Alnus nepalensis, Schima wallichii, Castonopsis indica and other broad-leaved forests are present in this zone.

Temperate zone (2000-3000 masl)

This zone is characterized by relatively dense forests of Rhododendron spp., Quercus spp., Gerardinia diversifolia, Maple and Alder. There is sparse distribution of Arundinaria spp. in the areas, but in disturbed sites this species invades the entire area and makes it difficult to penetrate forest.

Sub-alpine zone (3000-4000 masl)

The forest tree component of this zone includes forests of Rhododendron hodsonii, Betula utilis, Abis spectabilis, Juniperus recurva etc. On the exposed area are Berbaris spp., Cotoneastor spp., and Viburnum spp. are widely found.

Alpine zone (4000-5000 masl)

This zone is characterized by alpine grass lands, bushes, medicinal herbs, juniper, and Rhododendron scrub in the low regions. The region above 5000 m comprises mainly of rock and ice with little vegetation.

Eastern Himalayan Ecoregion and Regional Biodiversity

The project area lies in the Eastern Himalayan Region that encompasses Bhutan, north-eastern India, and southern, central, and eastern Nepal. Sitting at the juncture between Asia and the Indian subcontinent, the region is geologically young and characterized by extreme altitudinal variations, which contribute to its rich biological diversity. Three bio-geographical realms meet in the Eastern Himalaya Region;namely, the Indo-Malayan, Palaearctic, and Sino-Japanese,and it contains parts of three of 34 globalbiodiversity hotspots, accounting for 39% of theHimalayan hotspot, 8% of the Indo-Burma hotspot, and13% of the Mountains of Southwest China hotspot. Thecomplex topography and extreme altitudinal gradientsfrom less than 300 m (tropical lowlands) to more than8,000 m (high mountains) have led to a variety ofvegetation patterns. The geographic complexity exertsconsiderable influence on the weather patterns inthe region, in many instances creating microclimaticconditions that lead to formation of unique assemblagesof vegetation and wildlife (Chettri et al.2001).

The Eastern Himalayan Region supports one of the world’s richest alpineflora; and about one-third of them are endemic to theregion (Dhar 2002). There are at least 7,500 floweringplants, 700 orchids, 58 bamboo

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species, 64 citrusspecies, 28 conifers, 500 mosses, 700 ferns, and728 lichens.The Region is home to 175 known terrestrial mammal species and more than 500 bird species(WWF and ICIMOD2001). Among these 175 mammals, 45 are threatenedamong which 14 are endangered, 29 vulnerable, andtwo are critically rare (CEPF 2005).Altogether28 mammals are endemic and theseare distributed among 14 ecoregions, of which 18are strictly endemic to their respective ecoregion types.

Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA)

Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP) has been designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). IBAs are the sites of international significance for the conservation of world’s birds and other nature. IBAs are Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) identified for birds using internationally agreed criteria applied locally by BirdLife Partners and experts. The park is especially important for the globally threatened Wood Snipe which breeds, and the near-threatened Satyr Tragopan and Yellow-rumped Honeyguide which are resident and probably breed.

5.2.2 Vegetation and Forest Types of the Project Area

The project area lies in tropical bioclimatic zone. Hence, the vegetation found in this area is characteristic of the tropical broadleaved forest. Hill Sal forest was observed throughout the project area including headworks, waterway alignment,surge shaft and near by powerhouse area. The trees recorded along the overall project alignment are Sal (Shorea robusta), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Khirro (Sapium insigne), Mauwa (Engelhardtia spicata), Simal (Bombax ceiba), Saaz (Terminalia alata), Siris (Albizialebbeck), etc.Plantation of Rudrakshya (Elaeocarpus sphaericus) was also observed in the private land in the project area.The ground vegetation consists of different herbs and shrubs such as Gandhe (Houttuynia cordata), Sisno (Urtica dioica), Paniamala (Nephrolepsis cardifolia), Lajjawati (Mimisa pudica), Titapati (Artemisia vulgaris), Dubo (Cynodon dactylon), Ganja (Cannabis sativa), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) etc. Vegetation reported and recorded during the field visit are are presented in Appendix R.

Photo 5-1: Vegetation pattern of Gaudeni Lukuwa Community Forest

Headworks: Headworks area is proposed within Buffer Zone of Makalu Barun National Park. Forest vegetation in the area are Hill Sal (Shorea robusta)with associated tree species of Chilaune (Schima walichii), Siris (Albizia lebbeck), Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Khirro (Sapium insigne), Mauwa (Engelhardtia spicata), Simal (Bombax ceiba), Gayo (Bridelia retusa),Kabro (Ficus lacor), Khirro (Sapium insigne)etc.

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Photo 5-2: Vegetation in the headworks area

Headrace alignment: The entire headrace alignment has mixed broadleaved forest with dominancy of Hill Sal (Shorea robusta). It is associated with species like Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Katus (Castanopsis indica), Mauwa (Engelhardtia spicata), Simal (Bombax ceiba), Saj (Terminalia alata), Siris (Albizialebbeck), Bhalayo (Rhus wallichii), Sindure (Mallotus philippensis), Gayo (Bridelia retusa),Kabro (Ficus lacor), Khirro (Sapium insigne)etc.

Adit portal: Adit portal is located in Yangi Singhadevi Community Forest (CF). The tree vegetation in and around the area mostly composed of Sal (Shorea robusta), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Mauwa (Engelhardtia spicata), Simal (Bombax ceiba), Saaz (Terminalia alata), Siris (Albizia sps.), Kyamuno(Cleistocalyx operculata), Bot Dhayero(Lagerstroemia parviflora)etc.

Surge shaft, Penstock/Vertical/Inclined shaft:Surgeshaft, Penstock/Vertical/Inclined shaft are located in Gaudeni Lukuwa CF. However, the surface portion of penstock (369m) passes through agricultural land. The tree vegetation in and around the area mostly composed of Sal (Shorea robusta), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Mauwa (Engelhardtia spicata), Simal (Bombax ceiba), Saaz (Terminalia alata), Siris (Albizia sps.), etc.

Project component access road: Access road to surge shaft passes through Gaudeni Lukuwa CF with vegetation compositon of mostly Sal and Chilaune in the upper section and lower section composed of Sal (Shorea robusta), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Bot Dhayero(Lagerstroemia parviflora), Kyamuno (Cleistocalyx operculata), etc. Access road from Bumling to Powerhouse area passes through agricultural and barren land.

Powerhouse area:The powerhouse is located in relatively flat agriculture land on the right bank of Arun River. The scattered vegetation of Badhar (Artocarpus lacucha), Mauwa (Engelhardtia spicata), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), etc. was observed in this area, however the surrounding forest in the area also dominated with Sal (Shorea robusta) forest in association with Chilauna (Schima wallichii), Gayo (Bridelia retusa), Botdhayenro (Lagerstroemia parviflora) Uttis (Alnus nepalensis) etc.

Buffer Zone of MBNP Buffer Zone of MBNP

Weir axis

Sankhuwa Khola

Sisuwa Khola

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5.2.3 Protected Area, Buffer Zone and CommunityForests2

Sankhuwasabha district along with Solukhumbu district hosts Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone area (previously Makalu Barun Conservation Area). It was established in 1992. This park is administered and managed by Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). From tropical forests along the Arun River to icy mountain summits, Nepal's Makalu-Barun National Park and Buffer zone, is the only protected area on earth with an elevation gain of 8,000m. This National Park covers 1500 sq. km area and it’s Buffer zone cover 830 sq. km area. The protected area contains 25 species of rhododendron, 47 types of orchids, and 56 rare plants. Snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, wild boar are among the wildlife found here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makalu_Barun_National_Park).

Figure 5-9 Project Location in Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone Area, Source: MBNP 2070

2 Administratively, the forests of Nepal are divided into six types: GovernmentManagedNational Forest, ProtectedForest, CommunityForest, LeaseholdForest, ReligiousForest and PrivateForest.

Protected forest is a National Forest declared as a ProtectedForest pursuant to section 23 (Forest Act, 1993), considering it to be special environmental, scientific or cultural importance or any other special importance. Forest Act 1993 has provision for developing forest management plan within the protected forest. The Department shall prepare a work plan and the Ministry with necessary alterations, if any, provides approval on such work plan.

Community Forest is a National Forest handed over to a user group pursuant to section 25 (Forest Act 1993) for its development, conservation and utilization for the collective interest. The formulation of the National Forestry Plan (1976) provided a policy base for initiating forestry development works in Nepal and was a bold shift in policy towards participatory forestry. The Forest Act, 1993 (FA) is the latest forestry legislation that provides legal measures for protecting the forests and involving the local people in the conservation and development of forest resources.

Project Area

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All project structures of headworks like diversion weir, settling basin, approach canal, inlet portal and project facilities such as construction camp and permanent housing at headworks and some section of headrace tunnel are located within Buffer Zone of Makalu Barun National Park (Figure 5-9). Similarly, adit portal is located in Yangi Singhadevi Community Forest (CF) and surge shaft is located in Gaudeni Lukuwa CF. The penstock pipe will be passes through and Gaudeni Lukuwa CF. These Community Forests are managed by locally formed Community Forest User Groups and Buffer Zone Forest is managed by locally formed Buffer Zone Forest User Groups. The main objectives of these forests are: to provide communities with timber, firewood, fodder, foliages and other utilizable goods from the forest, to prevent soil erosion and landslides, to conserve biodiversity and to preserve the environment. As per the user groups, forest fire incidents has not been occurred in these forest. Local people are dependent on these forest for timber, fuel wood, NTFPs, fodder etc.

Table 5-9: Community Forests and Buffer Zone Forests directly impacted by the project

SN Name of CF and BZ User Group

Location Area (Ha) Dependent Households

Major tree species

1 Gaudeni Lukuwa CF Salpachilichho RM-1

78.5 80 Sal, Chilaune, Uttis, Badhar, Khanayo, Amala etc.

2 Yangi Singhadevi CF Salpachilichho RM-2

191.31 54 Sal, Chilaune, Katus, Mauwa, Siris, Tooni, Jamuna, Chiuri etc.

3 Singhadevi BZ Sankhuwasabha, Silichong RM-1

116.75 155 Chilaune, Katus, Mauwa, Siris, Bhalayo

Source: DFO Bhojpur, 2071, MBNP 2072 and Field Study 2018

5.2.4 Ethno-botanical Information

The ethno-botanical species in surrounding forest in project area are distributed over various life form viz. tree species, herbs, shrubs, climber and grasses. These ethno-botanical species have diverse use value for forage, fiber, food, local construction, shade, agriculture implants, traditional medicine, and income generation as well as socio-cultural and environmental values.

Collection of wood, wild fruits and vegetables for own consumption and selling them in the local market is the common practice in the area. Among all NTFP available in the area, Rudrakshya seed and Cardamom are the most valuable at present. According to the local people, the Rudrakshya seed is highly priced and per unit cost is depends on number of Mukhi/Face3 in it. Sal (Shorea robusta), Chilaune (Schima walichii) are the timber value species mostly used in the project area. Bamboo is widely used as construction materials in houseslocal bridge across the small streams and household use product and Khar is used for thatching of huts, Tarool (Dioscorea spp.) and fruits of Kaphal (Myrica esculanta), Chiuri (Aesandra butyracea),Ainselu (Rubus ellipticus), and Bayer (Zizyphus spp.)are edibleand consumed by the local people. Badahar (Artocarpus lahoocha), Gayo (Bridelia retusa), Kabro (Ficus lacor), Kutmiro (Litsea monopetala), Khaniya (Ficus semicordata) etc. are the species with high fodder value. Bar (Ficus bengalensis), Pipal (Ficus religiosa) and Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) are used for religious purposes. Similarly, Harro (Termanalia chebula), Barro (T. Bellerica), Amala (Phyllanthus emblica), Asuro (Justicia adhatoda), Tejpat (Cinnamomum tamala), Tapra (Cassia tora), Pudina (Mentha viridis), Ghodtapra (Centella asiatica), Sisnu (Urtica dioica), Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus), Paniamala (Nephrolepis cordifolia), Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), Jiwanti (Curculigo orchoides), etc. are used by the local community because of high medicinal value.

5.2.5 Fauna

Due to the presence of Makalu Barun National Park, the project district is rich in terms of wildlife and avifaunal availability. The DNPWC has mentioned the presence of 315 species of butterflies, 43 species of reptiles 16 species of amphibians, 78 species of fish, 440 bird species and 88 species of mammals within the

3Naturally grown groves, starting from the natural vertically or horizontally stalkpoint reaching the opposite point, are termed as Mukhi/Face (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudraksha).

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park.

The different ecosystem types including forests, scrubland, grassland, rocky areas including cliffs and streams and the transition between them present the diverse habitats for a wide range of fauna. The majority of the land of the project area is being occupied for agricultural purpose followed by forest vegetation. The vegetation in upper hill in project area is dominated by broad leaved forest, whereas downhill sides are comprised of sal vegetation.

Vegetation at the project development site is sporadically distributed. The crown coverage of most of the forest area in the project's direct impact area is only 10-35 percent.However, these habitats have been abruptly interrupted by human settlements, agricultural field and other activities. The distribution of mammals and birds of the project area is not uniform due to the habitat type and topography. Most of the animals and birds at the project sites exhibit seasonal migration and they are not confined to the project affected area only but have much larger habitat in the upper slopes of the project. Project site is not the prime habitat or migratory route ofconservational or economical important mammals or any other animal life, though a few animals ofconservation significance seasonally visit forests in vicinity of project area.

Based on direct encounters with the animal and their indicator and information given by the local people, the common birds, mammals, herpeto-fauna and fish found in the zone of impact of the project site is briefly summarized below:

Mammals Altogether 25 mammals were reportedin and around the project area. According to the local people and field survey, the common mammalian species of the project area are Bandar (Macaca mulata), Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus), Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Barking deer (Muntiacus muntijak), Lokharke (Dremomys lokriah), Ban Lokharke (Funambulus pennantii), Nyaurimusa (Herpestes edwardsii), Malsapro (Martes flavigula), etc. Similarly, Leopard (Panthera pardus), Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Flying squirrel (Petaurista petaurista) Jackal (Canis aureus), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), etc. are occasionally sighted in forest surrounding the project area according to the local respondents. Mammalian species reported during the field visit and with discussion with the local people are presented in the following Table 5-10

Table 5-10: Mammals reported in and around the project area

SN Common

Names Scientific Names

Status of occurrence Habitat

Migratory Status

Common Sparse Rare F B O A M/R/V

1 Asian Mouse Shrew

Suncus murinus √ √ R

2 Barking Deer Muntiacus muntjak √ √ R

3 Bat Scotophilus heathi √ √ R

4 Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis √ √ M

5 Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus √ √ R

6 Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla √ √ R

8 Common Goral Naemorhedus goral √ √ R

9 Common Leopard

Panthera pardus √ √ √ M

10 Eurasian Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

√ √

M

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SN Common

Names Scientific Names


Migratory Status

Common Sparse Rare F B O A M/R/V

11 Five-striped Palm Squirrel

Funambulus pennantii

√ √ R

12 Flying squirrel Petaurista petaurista √

√

R

13 Golden Jackal Canis aureus √ √ M

14 House Rat Rattus rattus √ √ R

15 Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus √ √ R

16 Indian Hare Lepus nigricollis √ √ R

17 Jungle cat Felis chaus √ √ R

18 Nepal Grey Langur

Semnopithecus schistaceus √ √ R

20 Large Civet Viverra zibetha √ √ R

19 Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii √ √ √ R

20 Mountain Weasel Mustella altaica √ √ R

21 Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel

Dremomys lokriah √ √ R

22 Porcupine Hystrix brachyura √ √ R

23 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta √ √ R

24 Small Civet Viverricula indica √ √ √ R

25 Yellow-Throated Marten

Martes flavigula √ √ √ √ R

Source: Field Survey, 2018

Note: Habitats = F- forest, B – Bush, O- Open grass land, A – Agricultural land, Migratory status and season = M – Migratory, R = Resident, V = Visitor occasionally, Location: F- Forest, A- Agricultural Land

Birds Mixed forest types, bamboo groves, fields, cliffs and rivers in the project area provide suitable habitats for a number of bird species. Altogether 40avifaunal species were reportedin and around the project area. According to the local people and field survey, the common avifaunal species of the project area are Kag (Corvus macrorhychos), Jungali Kag (Corvus splendens), Fista (Seicercus castaniceps), Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos), Lampuchre (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Bhangera (Passer montanus), Suga (Psittacula krameri), Dhukur (Streptopelia decaocto), Parewa (Columba livia), Dangre (Acridotheres fuscus), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Jureli (Pycnonotus leucogenys), Cuckoos (Cuculus spp.) etc. Avifaunal species reported during the field visit and with discussion with the local people are presented in the following Table 5-11.

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Table 5-11: Birds reported in and around the project area

SN Common Names Scientific Names

Status of occurrence

Habitat Migratory Status

C Sp Ra F B O A M/R/V

1 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus √ √ R

2 Black Kite Milvus migrans √ √ R

3 Chestnut-crowned warbler

Seicercus castaniceps √ √ R

4 Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto √ √ √ √ R

5 Common cuckoo Cuculus canorus √ √ √ R

6 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops √ √ √ R

7 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis √ √ R

8 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna √ √ M

9 Dark kite Milvus migrans √ √ √ R

10 Great Barbet Megalaima virens √ √ R

11 Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis √ √ R

12 Grey-sided BushWarbler

Cettia brunnifrons √ √ R

13 Himalayan Bulbul Pycnonotus leucogenys √ √ R

14 house crow Corvus splendens √ √ R

15 House Sparrow Passer domesticus √ √ R

16 Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris √ √ M

17 Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus √ √ R

18 Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus R

19 Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos √ √ R

20 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos √ √ R

21 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiates √ √ R

22 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger √ M

23 Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schacth √ √ √ √ R

24 Mountain Scoops Owl Otus spilocephalus √ √ R

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SN Common Names Scientific Names


Migratory Status

C Sp Ra F B O A M/R/V

25 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis √ √ R

26 Orange-breasted GreenPigeon

Treron bicincta √ √ R

27 Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis √ √ √ R

28 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosus √ √ R

29 Pale-headed Woodpecker

Gecinulus grantia √ √ R

30 Red Jungle fowl Gallus gallus √ √ R

31 Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythrorhyncha √ √ R

32 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer √ √ √ √ R

33 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus √ R

34 Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus √ √ R

35 River Lapwing Vanellus duvaucelii √ R

36 Rock Pigeon Columba livia √ √ R

37 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri √ √ √ √ R

38 Rufous Woodpecker Celeus brachyurus √ √ R

39 Small Button quail Turnix sylvatica √ √ R

40 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis √ √ √ R


Note: Status of Occurrence: C – Common, Sp – Sparse, and Ra - Rare Habitats = F- forest, B – Bush, O- Open grass land, A – Agricultural land, Migratory status and season = M – Migratory, R = Resident, V = Visitor occasionally

Herpeto-fauna

During the field visit Bengal Monitor Lizard (Varanus bengalensis), Common Rock Lizard (Agma tuberculata), Common Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), Mountain Pit Viper (Trimerserus montocola), Water Snake (Enhydris enhydris), Asian Bullfrog (Rana tigrina) and Asian Toad (Bufo melanosticus) are reported from the project area. Herpeto-fauna reported during the field visit and with discussion with the local people are presented in the followingTable 5-12.

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Table 5-12: Herpeto-fauna found in the project Area

S.N. Local Name Scientific Name Habitat Local Status

1 Common Rock Lizard Agma tuberculata Rocks Common

2 Asian Toad Bufo melanostictus Mud Flats Common

3 Sikkim Skink Scincella sikkimensis Forest floor Common

4 Common Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor Near Settlement Common

5 Mountain Pit Viper Trimeresurus montocola Forest Common

6 White-lipped Pit Viper Trimeresurus albolabris Forest Common

7 Asian Bullfrog Rana tigrina River bank, pool, ponds Common

8 Skittering Frog

Rana cyanophlyctis Cultivated land, River pools

Common

9 Water Snake Enhydris enhydris River Common

10 Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Houses Common

11 Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis Forest Common

12 Sikkimense Mountain Lizard

Japalura tricarinata Forest Common


5.2.6 Fish and Aquatic Life

5.2.6.1 Fish species

Habitat Conditions

Sankhuwa Khola is a small tributary to the Arun River which is itself one of the major tributary to Saptakoshi River System. The river is steep with an average gradient of 1 in 13 in the vicinity of headworks and then it flows through the fairly stable gradient. Further downstream, at some sections the river gradient flattens considerably. As a result, a series of run, riffle and pools have been developed along the Sankhuwa Khola course, which provide suitable habitat condition for diverse aquatic life. Besides the presence of stones, boulders, cobbles and pebbles on river bed in project area; headworks, powerhouse and in between also represent to good habitat condition for fish species. Visual estimation of the river in the survey period shows that 60% water is run type, 35% riffle type and 5% pool type. The river is composed of boulders, cobbles, pebbles and sand approximately in a composition of 65%, 25%, 5% and 5% respectively. Temperature of water at Sankhuwa Khola is recoded as 120C. The water quality of the Sankhuwa Khola at different sampling stations is presented in Annex K.

Fish Species

The study based on fish sampling at three locations and discussion with local informant reveal the presence of nine species of fish in the Sankhuwa Khola. Table 5-13presents the recordedduring sampling and reported fish species during the field survey. Fish diversity in the Sankhuwa Khola is reported to vary with season. Table 5-14presents the number of fish species sampled in each stations.

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Table 5-13: Fish species in project area

S N Local name English name Scientific Name Remarks

1 Chuche Asala Point-nosed Snow trout Schizothorax progastus Recorded during sample

2 Buchche Asala

Blunt-nosed Snow trout Schizothorax richardsonii Recorded during sample

3 Katlae Copper Mahseer Neolissochilus hexagonolepis Recorded during sample

4 Buduna Stone Sucker Garra annandalei Local informants

5 Nakata Sucker head Garra gotyla Local informants

6 Kabre Sucker Throat Catfish Pseudecheneis sulcatus Local informants

7 Tite Stone Carp Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis Recorded during sample

8 Raja Bam Fresh Water Eel Anguilla bengalensis Local informants

9 Gurdi River Rohu Labeo dero Local informants

Source: Field survey, 2018

Table 5-14: Fish Species Recorded in the Sampling Stations

S.N Scientific Name of Fish

Local Name of Fish

Station No. 1 (Upstream of

the weir)

Station No. 2

(Downstream of the weir)

Station No. 3 (In Sankhuwa Khola

upstream of the confluence with Arun)

1 Neolissochilus hexagonolepis

Katle +

2 Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis

Tite +

3 Schizothorax progastus

Chuchche asala

+ + +

4 Schizothorax richardsonii

Buchche asala +

Total 1 2 3


Description of Some Major Fish Species of the Project Area

Schizothorax richardsonii (Buchche Asala) and Schizothoraichthys progastus(Chuchche Asala)

Asala is the dominant fish species in the SKHP project site. It is an omnivorous fish and feeds on algae, pieces of aquatic plants, diatoms, periphyton and insects. Prefers rocky bottom streams and rivers with moderate current velocities on pool, run and riffle habitats. This species has a wide distribution in Nepal and is reported from all the river networks of Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali, the eastern, central and western regions of Nepal. It breeds twice a year in autumn (September/October) and in spring (March/April). Normally it breeds after the migration in the upstream areas after the recede of the monsoon floods. The timing of spawning, however, varies with the local thermal regime and flooding conditions. These species have a wide range of distribution in Nepal and are found in altitudes ranging from 200 to >3,000m. To cope with the sharp fall in temperature in the winter months, these species migrate downstream at lower altitudes and as the temperature increases- in the upstream areas in the months of March.

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Neolissochilus hexagonolepis (Katle)Neolissochilus hexagonolepis prefers streams and rivers with rocky bottoms and moderate currents. It is an omnivorous species and feeds on algae, aquatic insects and crustaceans. It is a short to mid-distant migratory fish, which migrates upstream and into the tributaries during the breeding season. The females attain maturity in the months of June - September and release ripe eggs in the month of August to September in pools feed by running water. They breed once a year but fractionally release several batches of eggs during the breeding season. Katle broadcasts ripe eggs in installments in gravel beds. This fish species is commonly found in the altitude of up to 2,000 masl in the Himalayan snow feed rivers The species has a wide distribution in Nepal and is found in all river networks of Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali, the eastern, central and western regions of Nepal.

Garra annandaleii (Buduna)

This fish is locally known as ‘Buduna’. It is a dark grey hill-stream fish with blackish-brown dorsum and pale belly. The fish of this species has a slender body with a smooth, pointed snout having the groove and tubercles. Barbels with two pairs, the ventral adhesive disc is much reduced, small and oval. The ventral adhesive disc is used for climbing over rocks and stones. It occurs in high mountain streams, lakes of rivers above 200-1000m. This fish spawns in late July. It is a herbivorous species and is widely distributed in the eastern and central Nepal in the Koshi and Gandaki river network.

Garra gotyla (Nakata)

A dark brown fish with greenish golden tinge and pale belly. The head is small and eyes are large. Snout obtuse with median proboscis beset with coarse tubercles. This species prefers backwater pools and rocky areas of the hill streams and lakes. An adhesive apparatus in the ventral region. This fish species occurs in all water masses of Nepal ranging from 100-1400m. This fish grazes over algal slime. They breed during June and July. The species is widely distributed in the river networks of Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali Rivers of eastern, central and western Nepal.

Pseudecheneis sulcatus (Kabre)

The body of the fish is elongated, flattened ventrally. It has conical and tapering body. This fish in living state is greyish brown or blackish with four large irregular yellowish blotches on the sides of lateral line. It has reddish orange oval adhesive disc composed of 16 transverse folds on chest. It is an insectivorous and bottom feeder fish. They feed mainly of aquatic insect larvae, predominantly chironomids and stone-clinging ephemeropterans. The breeding period of this fish commences from July to early October.

Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis (Tite)

Its body is elongated, depressed and flattened with distinct 3 to 5 transverse folds on ventral side. Generally body color is darker with greenish tinge on the dorsal side. The head is bluish brown while ventral side yellowish. A faint dark band presents along lateral line from just behind operculum to base of caudal. This fish breeds in August-September. Breeding takes pale in fast streams with gravel beds. It forms dense schools during the spawning runs. Eggs are laid in fine gravel, hatch within 8 to 15 days. The food composed of algae, small aquatic insects, tiny mollusks and crustaceans. They also take large quantity of mud. This fish is endemic fish to Nepal.

Anguilla bengalensis (Raj bam)

The colour of Anguilla bengalensisis brownish above and yellowish beneath. Sometimes with black spots superiorly. The maximum size is 129 mm. Both jaws and lower jaw are produed and teeth are not joined to form sharp-edged plates or chisel-like incisors. It is also found in Bheri, Karnali, Koshi and Narayani zone with altitudinal range of 190m to 450m.

Fish Composition and Dominancy

A total of 21 fishes of four species namely Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis, Schizothorax richardsonii, Schizothorax progastus and Neolissochilus hexagonolepis were sampled from the sampling stations of Sankhuwa Khola. Out of four sampled species, Schizothorax progastus(42.86%) is the dominant species in terms of number followed by Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis(28.57%). Species composition of sampled fishes and their dominancy is mention in theTable 5-15.

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Table 5-15: Species Composition and Dominancy Observed During Field Visit

S. N.

Scientific Name

Nepali Name

No. of fish caught by Cast net

Number of fish caught

No. of fish caught %

1 Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis Tite 6 28.57

2 Schizothorax progastus Chuche Asala 9 42.86

3 Neolissochilus hexagonolepis Katlae 4 19.05

4 Schizothorax richardsonii Buchche Asala 2 9.52

Total 21 100


Fish Abundance Trend in the Study Area

The abundance status of different fish species in the study area throughout the year is not clearly known. According to local fisherman, the maximum diversity of fish in the river stretch occurs in the monsoon month. The sampling result shows that percentage of fish caught is not identical throughout the river stretch. Both the percentage caught by number and species are highest at the Station number 3 (in Sankhuwa Khola upstream of the confluence with Arun) with 52.38% and 75.00% respectively and gradually decreases upstream(Table 5-16).

Table 5-16: Percentage Abundance at Sampling Stations (Caught by cast net)

Station

No.

Name of Station

Number of Fish Caught

Number of Species

Percentage caught by

Number No. ofSpecies

I Upstream of weir site 4 1 19.05 25.00

II Downstream of weir site 6 2 28.57 50.00

III In Sankhuwa Khola upstream of the confluence with Arun

11 3 52.38

75.00

Total 21 4 100 100


Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE)

A total of 21 fishes were caught at three sampling stations of the Sankhuwa Khola. The catch per unit effort for stations number3 is the highest i.e.1:0.147followed by station II and I respectively (Table 5-17).

Table 5-17: Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) at Different Sampling Stations

Station

No.

Name of Station Level of

Effort

No. of Fish caught

Catch per unit effort (CPUE)

Attempt

Catch Ratio

I Upstream of weir site 75 4 0.053 1: 0.053

II Downstream of weir site

75 6 0.080 1: 0.080

III In Sankhuwa Khola upstream of the confluence with Arun

75 11 0.147 1: 0.147

Total 225 21 0.093 1: 093


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Fish Migration and Migratory Pattern

Fishes undertake upstream and downstream migration for spawning, feeding and for searching suitable habitat. Some fish species of migratory nature are observed on the basis of interactions with the local fishermen, direct observation and relevant literatures. Among nine fish species, one species Anguilla bengalensis is found as long range migratory species, four species namely Schizothorax richardsonii, Schizothorax progastus, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis and Labeo dero as medium range migratory species and the rest four fish species namely Garra annandalei, Garra gotyla, Pseudecheneis sulcatus and Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis are resident species (Table 5-18). The migration pathways of migratory fish species in different seasons is presented in Table 5-19.

Table 5-18:Migratory Pattern of Fish Species

S.N. Local name English name Latin name

Migratory status

1 Buchche Asala Blunt-nosed Snow trout

Schizothorax richardsonii Medium range

2 Chuche Asala Point-nosed Snow trout

Schizothorax progastus Medium range

3 Katlae Copper Mahseer Neolissochilus hexagonolepis Medium range

4 Buduna Stone Sucker Garra annandalei Residential

5 Nakata Sucker head Garra gotyla Residential

6 Kabre Sucker Throat Catfish Pseudecheneis sulcatus Residential

7 Tite Stone Carp Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis Residential

8 Raja Bam or Bam Fresh Water Eel Anguilla bengalensis Long range

9 Gurdi River Rohu Labeo dero Medium range


Table 5-19: Migration Pathways of Migratory Fish Species in Different Seasons

Fish species J F M A M J J A S O N D

Anguilla bengalensis ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↓

Neolissocheilus hexagonolepis

↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓

Labeo dero ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓

Schizothorax richardsonii ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓

Schizothorax progastus ↑ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓

Note: ↑ upstream migration, ↓ downstream migration

Conservation status of Fish

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Out of nine recorded species, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis is listed as Near Threatened (NT) species and Schizothorax richardsonii is listed as Vulnerable (V) species. Psilorhynchus pseudecheneis is endemic fish species to Nepal (Table 5-20).

Table 5-20: Conservation Status of the Fish Species of Project Area

SN Scientific Name Nepali Name IUCN Red List

1 Anguillabengalensis RajBam LC

2 Garraannandalei Buduna LC

3 Garragotyla Nakata LC

4 Labeodero Gardi LC

5 Neolissochilushexagonolepis Katle NT

6 Pseudecheneissulcatus Kabre LC

7 Psilorhynchuspseudecheneis Tite LC

8 Schizothorax progastus Chuchhe LC

9 Schizothoraxrichardsonii BuchchheAsala VU

5.2.6.2 Planktons and Aquatic Insects

(a) Phytoplankton

Phytoplanktons are passively floating microscopic plants with or without chlorophyll. Fortytwo species of phytoplanktons of four different classes were collected in the sampling stations. Twenty nine species of four different classes were collected in the sampling station- 1, Twenty eight species of four different classes were collected in the sampling station- 2, Thirty species of four different classes were collected in the sampling station- 3 (Table 5-21). The major classes of phytoplanktons recorded in four sampling stations in field survey were Bacillariophycea, Chlorophyceae, Myxophyceae/Cyanophyceae and Xanthophyceae. The density and diversity of Bacilorophyceae family is higher among the other families.

Table 5-21: Total number of Phytoplankton species

S.N. Classes Station I Station II StationIII A Bacillariophyceae 13 12 14

B Chlorophyceae 8 6 9

C Cyanophyceae 7 8 6

D Xanthophyceae 1 2 1

Total 29 28 30


Table 5-22: Phytoplanktons Recorded at Different Sampling Sites

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SN Species Station Number

I II III A Class.Bacillariophyceae

Order.Centrales 1. Cyclotellacomta - - +

2. Melosiraislandica + + -

3. Melosiravaricans + + +

Order.Pennales 4. Cymatopleurasolea + - -

5. Cymbellacistula + + +

6. Cymbellacuspidate - - +

7. Cymbellatumida + + +

8. Diatomavulgare - + -

9. Epithemiaargus + - +

10. Fragelariacapucina - + +

11. Navicularadiosa + + +

12. Naviculaviridula + - +

13. Neidiumaffinis - + +

14. Pinnulariaviridis + + +

15. Surirellarobusta + + +

16. SynedraaffinesKutz + - -

17. Synedraulna + + +

18. Tabellariabinalis + + + B Class.Chlorophyceae

Order.Chlorococcales 19. Ankistrodesmusfalcatus + - -

20. Treubariacrassispina - - +

OrderUlothrichales 21. Hormidiumsp. + - -

22. Microsporaguadrata - + +

23. Ulothrixzonata + - +

Order.Cladophora 24. Rhizocloniumhierogyphicum + - -

Order.Chaetophorales 25. Chaetophoraincrassata + + +

26. Draparnaldiapulmosa - + -

27. Leptosiramediciana - - +

Order.Conjugales 28. Closteriumgracile + - +

29. Closteriumparvulum - + +

30. Spirogyrarhizobanchalis + - +

31. Spirogyraweberi + + +

32. Zygnemapectinatum - + - C Class.Myxophyceae/Cynophyceae

Order-Nostocales 33. Hormidiumsp. + + -

34. Lyngbyamajor + + +

35. Microchaetesp. + + +

36. Oscillatoriaformosa + + +

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37. Oscillatoriaprinceps + + +

38. Oscillatoriairigua + + +

39. Rivulariajaoi - + -

Order.Chroococales 40. Merismopediasinica + + +

D Class.Xanthophyceae

Order-Heterotrichales 41. Bumillariasicula - + -

42. Tribonemaviride + + +

Total 29 28 30


(b) Zooplankton

Six species of zooplankton of three different orders namely Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifers were found in three sampling stations of project area during field survey (Table 5-23).

Table 5-23: Total number of Zooplankton

S.N. Order Station I Station II StationIII A Cladocera 1 1 1 B Copepoda 2 1 1 C Rotifera 2 3 2

Total 5 5 4


Table 5-24: Zooplanktons Recorded at Different Sampling Sites


I II III A Cladocera 1 Daphinapulex + + + B Copepoda 2 Eucyclopsphaleratus + - + 3 Paracyclopsppoppei + + - C Rotifera 4 Asplanchanopusmulticeps + + + 5 Filinialongisera + + - 6 Lepadellaapsida - + +

Total 5 5 4


c) Aquatic insects

Altogether 14 species of aquatic insect of five orders namely Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera, Diptera and Hemoptera were recorded from three sampling stations during field survey (Table 5-25). The five orders of aquatic insects recorded from the project area.

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Table 5-25: Aquatic Insects Recorded in Different Sample Stations

S.N. Order Station I Station II StationIII A Plecoptera 2 2 1 B Ephemeroptera 2 2 3 C Trichoptera 3 2 4 D Diptera 1 1 1 E Hemoptera 1 1 1 Total 9 8 10


Table 5-26: Aquatic Insects Recorded at Different Sampling Stations


I II III A Order:Plecoptera 1 Isogenus modesta + + + 2 Nemoura erratica - + - 3 Nemouravenosa + - - B Order:Ephemeroptera 4 Ameletussp. + - + 5 Ephemerellasp. + - - 6 Epeorus sp - + + 7 Stenonema frontale - + + C Order:Trichoptera 8 Rhyacophila sp. - - + 9 Leptocellasp. + + + 10 Helicopsychesp. + - + 11 Stenophylaxsp. + + + D Order:Diptera 12 Chironomussp. + + +

E Order: Hemoptera

13 Notonecta sp. + - +

14 Belostoa sp. - + -

Total 9 8 10


5.2.7 Rare, endangered, endemic and protected floral and faunalspecies

Conservation status of floral and faunal species found in the project area are presented in Table 5-27 and Table 5-28 respectively.

Table 5-27: Conservation status of floral species

SN Botanical Name English Name CITES list GON

1 Shorea robusta Sal tree Protected

2 Dioscorea deltoidea Deltier yam II

3 Different lichens species Lichens Protected

4 Different species of Orchids Orchids II


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Table 5-28:Conservation status of faunal species

SN Common Name Scientific Name Protection Status

GoN IUCN CITES

Mammals

1 Golden Jackal Canis aureus LC III

2 Jungle Cat Felis chaus LC II

3 Assam Macaque Macaca assamensis Protected NT II

4 Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulata LC II

5 Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula LC III

6 Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganteus LC II

7 Common Leopard Panthera pardus VU I

8 Nepal Grey Langur Semnopithecus schistaceus LC I

9 Bengal Fox Vulpes bengalensis LC III

10 Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsi LC III

11 Common Goral Naemorhedus goral NT I

12 Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla Protected CE I

13 Large Civet Viverra zibetha LC III

14 Mountain Weasel Mustela altaica NT III

15 Black Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor NT II

16 Small Civet Viverricula indica LC III

Birds

1 Black Kite Milvus migrans LC II

2 Jungle Owlet Glaucidium radiates LC II

3 Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos LC III

4 Mountain Scoops Owl Otus spilocephalus II

5 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis II

6 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri II

7 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus II

Herpetofauna

1 Bengal Monitor Lizard Varanus bengalensis LC I

2 Asian Bullfrog Rana tigrina LC II


Note:

Legend: CITES (I) = Species threatened with extinction.

(II) = Species not necessarily threatened but could be so.

(III) = species requires international cooperation to control trade.

IUCN Red Book: VU=Vulnerable, CE=Critically Endangered, EN=Endangered, NT = Near threatened, LC = Least concern

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5.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment

5.3.1 The Project Districts

Overall district context

The proposed project, SKHP, is located in Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts in Province -1 of Nepal. Sankhuwasabha is bordered by Taplejung and Terathum in the east, Bhojpur and Solukhombu in the west, Dhankuta in the south and Tibet, Autonomous Region of China in the north. On the other hand, Bhojpur district borders Sankhuwasabha and Dhankuta in the east, Solukhombu and Khotang in the west, Sankhuwasabha and Solukhombu in the north, and Udayapur in the south.

Sankhuwasabha district covers an area of 3468.17 km2with population density of 45.62% per person km2 based on the Census 2011. Similarly, Bhojpur district covers an area of 1522km2 with population density of 44.44% per persons. Sankhuwasabha together with Solukhombu district host Makalu Barun National Park, which is only one National Park in the world situated at the with an elevation gain of more than 8000m. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report shows that Sankhuwasabha district stood at 25th position with Human Development Index (HDI) value 0.488 whereas Bhojpur had an HDI score of 0.479 in 2014.

Demography

Total population of Sankhuwasabha district is 158,742 (male 75,225 and female 83,517) with average household size of 4.58. Similarly, total population of Bhojpur district is 182,459 (male 86,053 and female 96,406 with average household size of 4.63 (Table 5-29).

Table 5-29: Households, population and average household size

Districts Household Population Average HH Size

Sex Ratio

Total Male Female

Sankhuwasabha 34,624 158,742 75,225 83,517 4.58 90.07

Bhojpur 39,419 182,459 86,053 96,406 4.63 89.26

Source: CBS, 2011

Literacy status

Literacy rates of the population of five years and above for Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districtsare69.38 % and 69.34 % respectively.In both the districts male literacy rate is higher than the female literacy rate. The overall literacy rate of both the districtsareslightly high compared to overall national literacy rate (65.9%).

Table 5-30: Population aged 5 years and above by literacy status and sex

Categories Population aged 5 years

& above

Population who are Literacy not

stated

Literacy rate Can read

& write Can read only

Can't read

& write

Sankhuwasabha

Both Sex 143,478 99,542 4,038 39,742 156 69.38

Male 67,469 52,267 1,966 13,190 46 77.47

Female 76,009 47,275 2,072 26,552 110 62.20

Bhojpur

Both Sex 164,632 114,149 4,145 46,294 44 69.34

Male 76,971 60,340 1,954 14,660 17 78.39

Female 87,661 53,809 2,191 31,634 27 61.38

Source: CBS, 2011

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Health and sanitation

Health institutios

Health institutions operating in Bhojpur district is comparatively higher (68) than in Sankhuwasabha district. Each district is facilitated with healt institutions like hospitals, primarly health center, sub health post, health post, etc. (Table 5-31).

Table 5-31: Health institutions in the project districts

Health institutions Sankhuwasabha Bhojpur

Sub Health Post 21 50

Health Post 12 9

Sub Center 1 3

DPHO 1 2

District Cold Room 1 2

Primary Health Center 1 1

Hospital 1 1

Total 38 68

Source: CBS, 2011

Drinking water facility

Table presents the main source of drinking water in the project districts. About 67 % of the households of Sankhuwasabha district and about 68 % of the households of Bhojpur district are facilitated with tap/piped water supply system (Table 5-32).

Table 5-32Main source of drinking water

Districts Total HHs

Main source of drinking water

Tap/piped

water

Tubewell /

handpump

Covered

well/kuwa

Uncovered well/kuwa

Spout water

River /stream

Others Not Stated

Sankhuwasabha 34,615 23,395 1 452 2,875 7,036 638 82 136

Bhojpur 39,393 26,937 75 968 4,032 6,862 393 80 46

Source: CBS, 2011

Sanitation

About 78 % of the households in Sankhuwasabha district and about 64 % of the households in Bhojpur district have toilet facility(Table 5-33).

Table 5-33Households by type of toilet

Districts Total HHs HHs without toilet facility

HHs with toilet facility of Not stated

Flush toilet Ordinary toilet

Sankhuwasabha 34,615 7,534 5,378 21,564 139

Bhojpur 39,393 14,154 5,119 20,071 49

Source: CBS, 2011

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Energy use

Firewood is by far the major source of energy used for cooking in both the project districts. The figure for firewood for Bhojpur district (97.20 %) is slightly higher than for Sankhuwasabha district (94.62 %). Other sources of energy used for cooking includes kerosene, LP gas, guitha, biogas, electricity, etc. (Table 5-34)

Table 5-34Households by usual type of fuel used for cooking

Districts Total HHs

Fuel usually used for cooking

Firewood

Kerosene

LP gas

Santhi/ guitha

Bio gas

Electricity

Others

Not Stated

Sankhuwasabha 34,615 32,753 181 1,431

1 69 29 12 139

Bhojpur 39,393 38,291 178 491 153 71 5 155 49

Source: CBS, 2011

Electricity is the major source of lighting (52.58 %) in the households of Sankhuwasabha district followed by kerosene and solar. By contrast, solar is the major source of lighting (42.12%) in the households of Bhojpur district followed by kerosene and solar(Table 5-35).

Table 5-35Households by usual source of lighting

Districts Total household

Fuel usually used for lighting

Electricity Kerosene Bio gas

Solar Others Not Stated

Sankhuwasabha 34,615 18,201 7,905 46 6,678 1,650 135

Bhojpur 39,393 5,844 10,639 222 16,596 6,043 49

Source: CBS, 2011

5.3.2 Project Affected Rural Municipalities (Gaon Palikas), Wards and Project Area

The SKHP is situated within two municipalities – Silichong Rural Muncipality and Salpachilichho Rural Municipality of Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur districts respectively. Three Wards of Silichong rural municipality – ward number-1 (former Sisuwakhola VDC), ward number-3 (former Tamku VDC), and ward number-4 (former Mangtewa VDC) will be affected by the project. As to Bhojpur district, ward number-1 and 2 (former Kulung VDC) of Salpachilichho Rural Municipalitywill be affected by the project.

5.3.2.1 Population size and dynamics

According to the population census of 2011, the total population of the affected Wards is 11,796. Of the total population, 5,993 (50.8%) are females and 5,803 (49.19%) are males. Within four project Wards, Salpachilichho-1 & 2 constitute the highest population 4013 (34.02%) and Silichong-4 constitutes the lowest population 2010 (17.04%). Interestingly, the total number of population of Silichong-3 and Silichong-1 fall in the equal range (See the Table). The total households of the project Wards is 2495 with an average household size of 4.83. The sex ratio (number of males to 100 females) is highest 100.61 in Silichong-4 and lowest 93.77 in Salpachilichho-1 & 2 as illustrated in the Table 5-36 below. The sex ratio of the remaining Wards fall in between 96.80 and 98.62, which is fairly higher than the sex ratio 94.2 at the national level. Table 5-36below shows the population size, sex ratio, total number of household (HHs), and average household size in the project affected Wards.

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Table 5-36: Population in the project affected Wards

District Former VDC

Rural Municipality-Ward

Population Size Total HH

Sex Ratio

Average HH

Male Female Total

Sankhuwasabha Tamku Silichong-3 1429 1449 2878 570 98.62 5.05

Sisuwakhola Silichong-1 1424 1471 2895 604 96.80 4.79

Mangtewa Silichong-4 1008 1002 2010 411 100.61 4.89

Bhojpur Kulung Salpachilichho-1 & 2

1942 2071 4013 874 93.77 4.59

Source: CBS 2011

5.3.2.2 Social demography

Caste and ethnicity

Project area is inhabited by diverse caste and ethnic/Janajatis, and linguistic groups. Among them Kulung is predominant in terms of population. Kulung is the largest Janajati group having 53.86% (6,354) of the total population of the project Wards followed by Chhetri 13.26% (1564), Mewahang 6.91% (815), Rai 5.17% (610), Kami 5.02% (592), and Tamang 3.14% (370) and other groups (see the Table 5-36 below). It should be noted that most of the ethnic/Janajati groups such as Kulung, Thulung, Mewahang, Chamling, Nachhiring, Sampang, Khaling, Bantawa listed in the following table have been recorded as separated ethnic/Janajati groups for the first time by the Census 2011. However, by the NFDIN Act, all of them have been subsumed under the ethnonym “Rai” as one of the Janajati groups of Nepal. Then if we calculate the population data of these groups under the ethnonym Rai, they become predominant group in the project areas.

Table 5-37: Caste and ethnic composition in the project Wards

Caste/Ethnicity Silichong Municipality Wards Salpa Silichho Municipality Ward

Total Percentage

Silichong-3 (Tamku)

Silichong-1 (Sisuwakhola)

Silichong-4 (Mangtewa)

Salpachilichho-1 & 2 (Kulung)

Kulung 1837 2776 967 774 6354 53.86

Mewahang 174 24 425 192 815 6.91

Rai 366 11 81 152 610 5.17

Sherpa 36 33 69 0.58

Thulung 11 70 81 0.69

Khaling 26 23 49 0.41

Chamling 23 23 0.19

Bantawa 15 15 0.13

Limbu 11 11 0.09

Newar 86 86 0.73

Tamang 217 153 370 3.14

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Chetri 15 193 1356 1564 13.26

Bharmin 252 252 2.14

Kami 11 177 401 589 5.02

Damai 15 139 154 1.03

Sarki 33 33 0.28

Gurung 12 12 0.1

Ghale 195 195 1.65

Sanyasi 13 236 249 2.11

Kayestha 133 133 1.23

Others 33 36 31 32 132 1.12

Total 2878 2895 2010 4013 11796

Source: CBS 2011

Language

Census 2011 recorded, more than 14 languages in the project affected municipalities. Among these 14 languages, the most widely spoken languages are: Kulung (53.86%) followed by Nepali (26.42%), Mewahang (9.27%), Tamang (2.77%), Ghale (1.21%) and other languages. Though the Census 2011 recorded Maithili (141) and Sindhu (148) speakers from the project area, this study could not find any caste/ethnic groups who spoke Maithili and Sindhu as their mother tongue (see the Table 5-38).

Table 5-38: Population distribution by mother tongue in the project Wards

Caste/Ethnicity Silichong Municipality Wards Salpa Silichho Municipality Ward

Total Percentage

Silichong-3 (Tamku)




Kulung 1702 2773 990 846 6311 53.5

Mewahang 470 24 411 189 1094 9.27

Nepali 78 32 474 2533 3117 26.42

Nachhiring 17 17 0.14

Thulung 69 69 0.58

Khaling 19 14 33 0.28

Chamling 21 21 0.18

Tamang 217 110 327 2.77

Sherpa 36 33 69 0.58

Ghale 178 178 1.51

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Newar 86 86 0.73

Bantawa 11 11 0.09

Maithili 141 141 1.19

Sindhu 148 148 1.25

Others 46 33 24 71 174 1.47

Total 2878 2895 2010 4013 11,796

Source: CBS 2011

Religion

Majority of the population of the project area follow Kirat religion, i.e. nature and ancestor worship. The correct denomination of their religion is Kirat mundum. However, the different Kirat groups call it by different terms, for example, Kulung call it by riddum, and Mewahang call it by muddum and so on. Ancestor worship is most dominantly practiced religion in the project areas. Muddum/rithum are the oral tradition of these Kirati groups which evokes spiritual attachment of these Kirati groups to the land (Gaenszle 2000; Hardman 2000). Among the numerous Rai Kirati groups, Mewahang as has special ritual to worship their ancestral lands in the project areas, which is known as Bhumi puja and observed during Ubhauli.

Along with Kirat religion, some other caste/ethnic groups follow Hinduism and Buddhism. Some of the major festivals that are observed in the project areas are: Hindu festivals (Dashain and Tihar), Kiart festivals (Udhauli and Ubhauli), and Loshar.

Gender roles and social networks

Women from most caste and ethnic groups perform most of the labor intensive activities such as hauling water from the river, raising the children, carrying firewood, cooking and preparing foods, working in the field and daily household core. On the other hand, males are engaged in fieldworks such as building houses, plugging and working in the field, and in dealing with issues of household management.

In the local communities, kinship ties of one sort or another loom large as a major link between families and provide individuals with a framework for interacting with other members of society. Kinship and lineage groups together have a significant roles in the social life the local communities such as wedding, funerals, rituals, and festivals. Moreover, kinship still plays a major roles with respect to various kinds of cooperative relationships.

Literacy and education

When compared the literacy rate (5 years or above) of the project areas, Silichong-3 stood first with 72.53% followed by Silichong-4 (72.01%), Salpachilichho-1 & 2 (69.08%) and Silichong-1 (66.02%). In the project Wards, a total of population 7,395 (62.69%) can read and write where 3993 were males and 3402 were females, whereas 262 (2.22%) persons can only read and 2961 (25.1%) persons can neither read nor write as reported in the Census 2011 (CBS 2011).

According to the Census 2011, the record of educational attainment of project area population was poor. There were only 738 (6.26%) persons who have passed formal degree, including SLC (CBS, 2011). Out of 738, there were 439males and 309 females. Based on the Census 2011, within the entire project areas, only 12 males and 4 females had completed Masters’ degree. Two Wards, Silichong-1 and Silichong-4 had no single persons who had completed Masters’ degree.

As for the educational institutions, there are a total of 8 schools – one Higher Secondary, one Lower Secondary, and six Primary Schools in Silichong-3. Similarly, Siswakhola has one Secondary School, two Lower Secondary, and five Primary Schools. In Silichong-4, there are a total of nine schools of which one Secondary, three Lower Secondary and five primary Schools. The schools which are located in the nearest areas from the headwork are – Maheshowri Primary School, Kolba, Silichong-3 and Shree Silichong Primary School Chhudak, Siswakhola. Approximately, both Maheshowri and Shree Silichong Primary School are located at a

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distance of 4 km and 5km from the headwork respectively.

Migration

The outmigration especially of the young generation is a regular phenomenon in the project area as elsewhere. They migrate to neighboring country and abroad seeking employment and study opportunities. Malaysia, Qatar, Dubai, and India are the main destination for abroad to most of the local people for employment. At another level, local people also migrate to nearby market areas like Khandbari and Tumlingtar and to other major cities like Kathmandu, Dharan and Dhankuta for business, education and employment.

In addition, there is an increasing trend of going to Khadbari, Dharan and even Kathmandu for children’s education. Particularly, most of the household mothers, whose husbands have gone to Gulf countries as migrant workers, have migrated to Khandbari where they get their children admitted in boarding schools. In the consultation meetings, people informed that some of women along with their families from the project areas have migrated to Khandbari and have well established micro enterprises of Allo.

Housing and settlement pattern

Both cluster and scattered settlement were observed in the district during the site visit. Cluster settlement were observed mainly in district headquarter and market/bazaar area, whereas scattered settlement were observed in remote hills and other places. The settlement in the project area is scattered type. Figure below provides a glimpse of the settlement pattern of the project area. In the villages area, houses are mostly made up with locally available materials like mud and stone with stone/slate, metal(tin) sheet and thatched roof, whereas RCC houses were observed in district headquarter, market/bazaar areas and along the access road. As the project areas are being connected with Khandbari bazar by road, people have started build to jasta roofed houses which was unthinkable for them just few years ago.

Photo 5-3: House Structures and Settlement Patterns

By the type of outer wall of housing, 58.93% (1449) housing units were constructed by mud bonded stones, 33.02% (812) housing units were constructed by using Bamboo, and 6.14% (151) housing units were constructed by using Wood. As the data shows, almost 2412 (96%) households were built by using mud/stones, bamboo and woods (See the Table 5-39).

Table 5-39: Households by outer wall of house/housing units

Wards

Total

Types of outer wall

Mud bonded bricks/stones

Cement bonded bricks/stones

Wood/

planks

Bamboo Unbaked

Brick

Others Not

Stated


411 316 0 0 93 0 0 2

Silichong-3 (Tamku)

570 347 1 47 147 0 27 1

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604 94 1 99 403 0 2 5


874 692 0 5 169 0 2 6

Total 2459 1449 2 151 812 0 31 14

Source: CBS 2011

Vulnerable and disadvantaged groups

This study identified Persons with Disability (PWDs), children, Dalits, and elderly people as the vulnerable and disadvantage groups in the project areas. Persons belong to these categories are vulnerable because of their specific characteristic which put them at a higher risk of relative disadvantages in access to resources, employment opportunities and income level. Moreover, it is also likely to argue that people from such categories are at a higher risks of being marginalized, compared to other people since they cannot capture the benefits that might be accrued from the project. The Census 2011 data shows that population from the vulnerable groups (disabled people, children, dalits, elderly people) comprised 48.13% of the total population in the project Wards. Table 5-40shows the total population of the vulnerable groups.

Table 5-40: Vulnerable and disadvantage groups in the project areas

Wards PWDs Children

(0-14) years

Dalits Elderly People (65 and above)

Total Percentage


150

566

-

162

878

30.33

Silichong-3 (Tamku) 93 989 11 204 1297 45.86


27 649 192 129 997 49.6


116 1535 537 309 2497 62.22

Total 386

(3.27%)

3739

(31.7%)

740

(6.27%)

804

(6.81%)

5669

48.13

Source: CBS 2011

5.3.2.3 Economic demography

Economically active population

The working age population (15 to 59) years of the project Wards are shown in the Table 5-41 below. As per the Census report, the working age population was 54.43% (6,421) of the total population which is slightly lower than the national working age population (57%). When compared to Ward wise working age population, Silichong-4 had highest working age population with 61.29% followed by Silichong-3with 55.91%, Silichong-1with 52.78% and Salpachilichho-1 & 2with 51.13%.

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Table 5-41: Working age population (15 to 59) year of the project wards

Village Municipality

Wards Working population (15 to 59) Year Percentage

Male Female Total

Silichong Silichong-3 (Tamku)

773 836 1609 55.91


736 792 1528 52.78


590 642 1232 61.29

Salpa Silichho Salpachilichho-1 & 2 (Kulung)

928 1124 2052 51.13

Source: CBS 2011

Land use and farming

Land use pattern in the project area is diverse and has direct bearing on agricultural production and food security. Lands are, for instance, used as forest area, agriculture/cultivated land, Rudrakchhya garden, pasture/grass land, shrub land, sandy area, water bodies, barren land etc. Lands are steep and terraced, but is an important asset and the backbone of the local economy.

Photo 5-4: Maize in Kolba, Tamku and Dana Garden in Bumling, Kulung

Local economy is subsistence based and people’s livelihood is sustained by agriculture mixed animal husbandry, including small scale trade, daily wages, and remittance. The overall economic feature of the project areas comprises a mixture of farm and nonfarm activities. Farm activities include agriculture and livestock rearing that are subsistence in nature. The farmers do own or borrow bullock for plowing the farm field, and work largely through labor exchange known as parma during peak agricultural periods that demand extra labor.

The primary crop grown is paddy riceand maize. Planting paddy is concentrated in the low land area. These crops are grown in a cyclic rotation of six to seven months. Recently, some farmers have started commercial farming of ginger. Labor, manure, and seeds are the major agricultural inputs. The main sources of irrigation are flowing on the surface (flow of near streams increases in rainy season) and rainfall trapping in the field.

Employment

Self-employment is only option to keep oneself as employed. The overwhelming majority of the local people are employed in the agricultural sector (subsistence farming). Livestock rearing and rain fed farming are the major agricultural activities of the project areas. Few households also practice small scale trade with combined focus on household commodities, goats, and alcohol. At the local level, employment opportunity is very low.

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Allo: micro enterprises

Sankhuwasabha district is well known for the commercial production of Allo. Within the district, the project areas is the main pocket area in terms of commercial scale of production of allo. Traditionally, Kulung Rai, a major dominant group in the project areas, are engaged in weaving Allo. It was observed that micro enterprises of Allo are increasingly gaining importance in the project areas. However, assessing the exact number of households engaged in Allo production is impossible considering the nature and scope of the impact assessment report. Allo (Girardinia diversifolia) weaving is a tradition of Kulung and other ethnic groups (especially women) and they have for centuries extracted and spun these fibers to make ropes, jackets, coats, fishing nets, table mats, shawls, ladies dresses, purse bags, caps etc. Allo grows wild above 1200m to 3000m. Allo is mostly collected from community forests. Usually Allo is harvested during October/November to January/February.

Live stock

Along with traditional subsistence farming, livestock rearing is another feature of rural life in the project area. During the field visit, it was observed that approximately 95% households keep cattle, cows, bullock, buffaloes, pigs and other animals. For grazing and nourishing their livestock, the farmers rely on the forest and barren land. Trees and its falling leaves provide bedding materials for animals. Rearing and maintenance of domestic animals would be impossible without forest. Livestock provide draft-powder, milk, meat, and manure to fertilizer fields. Farming and keeping domestic animals are highly integrated and interlinked with the production and livelihood practices in the project area.

Fishing

Fishing in the project area is usually a part time phenomena and provide supplementary livelihood income to the local people. According to the local people, who reside close proximity of the River, undertake fishing. They use different types of fishing gears like gill net, cast net, tango and basket.

Use of NTFPs and other forest products

As reported during the consultation meetings, most of the households in the area depend on the forest and forest based NTFPs directly and indirectly on daily basis. Most of the local communities use the forest products for fodder, timber, leaf litter, fuel wood, income generation and medicinal purposes. They mostly rely on nearby forest for NTFPs and other forest products. Sal (Shorea robusta), Chilaune (Schima walichii) are the timber value species mostly used in the project area. Khar is used as construction material in the thatching of huts, however, it was observed that thatched roof was being replaced by tin. Bamboo is widely used as construction materials in houses, local bridge across the small streams, construction of houses and fencing the gardens. Tarool (Dioscorea spp.) and fruits of Kaphal (Myrica esculanta), Chiuri (Aesandra butyracea), Ainselu (Rubus ellipticus), and Bayer (Zizyphus spp.) are edible and consumed by the local people. Badahar (Artocarpus lahoocha), Gayo (Bridelia retusa), Kabro (Ficus lacor), Kutmiro (Litsea monopetala), Khaniya (Ficus semicordata) etc. are the species with high fodder value. Bar (Ficus bengalensis), Pipal (Ficus religiosa) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used for religious purposes.

Local people have a tradition of using different plant parts such as root, tuber, leaf, bark, fruit, and seed to cure normal health problems. Some of the important medicinal plants that are found and used by the local people includes Harro (Termanalia chebula), Barro (T. Bellerica), Amala (Phyllanthus emblica), Asuro (Justicia adhatoda), Tejpat (Cinnamomum tamala), Tapra (Cassia tora), Pudina (Mentha viridis), Ghodtapra (Centella asiatica), Sisnu (Urtica dioica), Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus), Paniamala (Nephrolepis cordifolia), Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), Jiwanti (Curculigo orchoides) etc. Some of most valuable NTFP collected by the local people are Rudrakchhya seed and Cardamom. According to the local people, the seed of Rudrakshya is highly priced and per unit cost is depends on number of Mukhi/Face in it. Cardamom plantation is another backbone of rural economy of the project areas. No doubt, the income produced from Cardamom and Rudrakshy has made a significant contribution to the economic upliftment of many households.

5.3.2.4 Access to civic amenities

Drinking water and sanitation

Based on the Census 2011, the situation of drinking water and sanitation in the project areas is not bad. For instance, majority of the households 72.63% (1768) have access to ordinary toilet facilities. Out of 2495 total households, 6.67% (164) have access even to flush toilet facility. However, the census reported that more than 20% (497) households have no access to toilet facilities (See Table 5-42).

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Table 5-42: Households by type of toilet facilities


Wards Total

HH

HH without toilet facility

Flush toilet

Ordinary toilet

Not stated


604 126 133 340 5

Silichong-3 (Tamku)

570 103 4 461 2


411 63 12 335 1

Salp Silichho Salpachilichho-1 & 2 (Kulung)

874 205 15 650 4

Total 2459 497 164 1786 12

Percentage 20.21 6.67 72.63 0.49

Source: CBS, 2011

As for the access to drinking water, 84.06% (2067) haveaccess to tape or pipe drinking water supply. There were 11.82% (295) households who haveno access to tape or pipe drinking water supply and they sourced drinking water supply from nearby river and streams. Beside this, another sources of drinking water used by 3.42% (84) households was Kuwa.

Table 5-43: Households by sources of drinking water


Wards Total HH

Tap/pipe water

Kuwa Spout

Water

River/

Stream

Other Not stated


604 552 25 7 7 8 5

Silichong-3 (Tamku)

570 543 5 15 3 2 2


411 407 2 0 0 1 1


874 565 52 245 8 0 4

Total 2459 2067 84 277 18 10 12

Percent 84.06 3.42 11.26 0.73 0.41 0.49

Sources: CBS 2011

Public health

Most common diseases reported in the project district (Snakhuwasabha) in the Year of 2013/014 were communicable disease, water/food borne disease, infectious diseases skin diseases, ENT and oral health diseases, eye problems, Gyne problems, Cardiovascular related problems, and other diseases and injuries (DDC 2015). The district hospitals, primary health care centers, health posts, sub health posts, Aaurved health centers and clinics along with some private and nongovernmental health centers are providing health care facilities in the project areas. To analyze the health situation of the project areas, no data were available at Ward level. However, during the consultation meeting, consulted people reported that in case of serious

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injuries and sickness, they go to the district hospital of Sankhuwasabha and only for minor health problems they go to health posts and sub-health post located in the project municipalities for general checkup and treatment. The serious medical cases are usually referred to the district hospitals at Khandbari. Local people from Kulung also go to the district hospital of Sankhuwasabha because Khandbari, the district headquarter of Sankhuwasabha is in very short distance than going to Bhojpur.

Sources of energy use

According to the Census 2011 report, almost 2433(98.94%) out of the total 2495 households use firewood as cooking fuel, and only negligible households 10 (0.4%) and 2 (0.08%) reported to have used Kerosene and LP gas as cooking fuel respectively. This shows that local people heavily depend on the forests for collecting firewood required for cooking. However, it was observed that households and business houses like hotel and lodges in the market area used LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and Kerosene as an alternative source of energy for cooking (Table 5-44).

Table 5-44: Households by Type of fuel used for cooking in the project Wards


Wards Total HH

Firewood Kerosene LP gas Santhi/guitha

Not stated

Silichong Silichong-1 (Sisuwakhola)

604 589 10 0 0 5

Silichong-3 (Tamku) 570 567 0 1 0 2


411 410 0 0 0 1


874 867 0 1 2 4

Total 2459 2433 10 2 2 12

Percent 98.94 0.4 0.08 0.08 0.49

Source CBS, 2011

As for the lighting, Solar Power and Kerosene are recorded as the major sources of energy used for lightening in the project areas in the Census 2011. Other than cooking fuel, the Census data reveals that majority of the households 1006(40.91%) use Kerosene for lighting, 913(37.13%) households use Solar Power, 183(7.44%) households use electricity and 346(14.07%) households use any other means of energy for the lightening.

The project area is yet be connected with Integrated Nepal Power Supply (INPS). However, the study team observed that since 2068 BS, Sisuwakhola Micro Hydro Project (SKMHP) with a capacity of 16 KW is in operation. SKMHP has provided electricity for more than 700 households of Silichong-3, Silichong-2, and Silichong-1. Form SKMHP, local people have become able to run 6 rice mills in the project area. As a result, many households have begun to use rice cooker, buy and watch TV, and other electronic machines.

Table 5-45: Households by source of lighting


Project Wards Total HH Electricity Kerosene Solar Others Not stated

Silichong Silichong-1 (Sisuwakhola)

604 0 333 184 83 4

Silichong-3 (Tamku) 570 129 89 317 33 2


411 0 149 169 92 1

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874 54 435 243 138 4

Total 2459 183 1006 913 346 11

Percent 7.44 40.91 37.13 14.07 0.44

Source: CBS, 2011

5.3.2.5 Local institutions and services

In the past, presence of government institutions was mostly limited to the district headquarters and local people from the project area had to go to the respective district headquarters (Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur) for fulfilling all legal and administrative services. After the promulgation of the new Constitution and consequent re-structuring of the local governance units (Village Municipalities and Ward) as the basic governing units have increased local people’s access to the government services at the local level. Field interactions with local people revealed that local institutions like mother groups, co-operatives, youth clubs, forest user's groups, etc. are also in operation and are engaged in forest conservation, saving and credit, environmental conservation, health and sanitation, community development programs and raising awareness programs in the project area. Besides this, other locally active non-organizations, particularly, Eco- Himal etc. was found to be working for local development through different programs in the project area.

5.3.2.6 Transportation and communication

At present, the proposed project area is not reachable by vehicle. It takes about half an hour walk from the nearest vehicle station located at Heluwabesi to reach the project area crossing the existing suspension bridge over Arun River at Bumling. Heluwabesi is linked from Tumlingtar by a fair weather road which takes about 4 hours (approximately 35 km) drive to reach Heluwabesi. Currently, the road from Bumling to Budhabare is under construction andtrack opening has already been opened. In order the project Wards toconnect with district headquarter, a bridge over the Arun River, near Bumling, needs to be built.

As for the communication services, the communication infrastructure is fairly well developed and the service coverage is good. As observed during the fieldwork, most of the areas ware connected with mobile services. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) phone facilities, NTC, and Ncell mobile services are available in most parts of the project area. It was also observed that some of the households had access to Dish Home cable network television. Young generation were found using internet services, though limited to certain parts of the project area.

5.3.2.7 Archaeology and culture and heritage

No specific archaeological, historical sites of local importance were identified in the project areas. However, the study identified some sacred sites that might be directly affected by the project activities, for example, Devithan. It is located at Siktemtar in Silichong-1, where major project works such as dam and labor camp constructions will take place. Besides this, Sanyasi Ashram and Shree Satya Shivashakti Bhakti Ashram, with local importance is located nearby powerhouse are at Bumling in Salpachilichho-1 & 2. However, this Ashram will not be directly affected by the project activities and need not be relocated.

5.3.2.8 Water use of the Sankhuwa Khola

People downstream use the water of the Sankhuwa Khola for various purposes like bathing, washing clothes, recreation, fishing, etc. At present, the the water of the Sankhuwa Khola from the headworks to the confluence of the Sankhuwa-Arun river has not been used for any consumptive purpose like drinking water supply, watter mills, micro hydro and irrigation. However, one micro hydro (Sankhuwa Khola micro-hydro project) has been proposed just upstream of the Sankhuwa-Arun confluence at Salpasilicho RM, ward no.1. As per the discussion with the developer, diversion of about 400 lps of water from the Sankhuwa Khola has been planned for the micro hydro.

5.3.3 Project affected households

This section describes the socioeconomic baseline of the project affected households based on the finding of the household survey. Out of the total project affected households (30 HHs) from the project affected area, 23 households were surveyed to understand the demographic, economic and cultural environment of the affected families, their perception regarding the project, expected compensation for the lost property,

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types of resettlement package desired etc. Seven identified households, whose land was affected, were not present in the Project area during questionnaire survey. These households were identified using cadastral maps prepared by the District Land Survey Office.

Defining Project Affected Families (PAF)

All those households/persons whose land(s) are to be acquired were considered as project affected households. The project affected households include households residing within the project component or the project facility occupied areas, who will be adversely affected by construction of the project structures and project facilities. Of the total surveyed affected households, 11 households are from Salpachilichho Rural Municipality-1 (Kulung), 9 households are from Silichong Rural Muncipality-1 (Sisuwakhola) and 3 households are from Silichong Rural Muncipality-3 (Tamku). These are further categorized as:

Marginally Project Affected Families (MPAF): The households losing up to 50% of their total land are categorized under this category; and

Severely Project Affected Families (SPAF): The households/families who are physically displaced from their residences or commercial establishments and those who are severely affected through loss of more than 50% of their land. The households losing residential structures are also included in this category.

Detail socioeconomic profile of these households are presented in the following sections:

5.3.3.1 Demographic Features of the Affected Households

Population, Age structure, Caste/ethnicity, Sex Ratio and Family Size

The total population of surveyed 23 affected households is calculated as 124 of which 51.61 % males and 48.28 % females with the average family size of 5.39 persons. The overall sex ratio (female is to male) is 0.93. In terms of the caste/ ethnicity, Chhetri are the dominant caste groups (50%), followed by Kulung and Mewahang. Chhetri have the equal proportion of male and female population whereas Kulung and Mewahang have the higher proportion of male population (Table 5-46).

Table 5-46 Distribution of Affected Population by Different Categories

Categories Male Female Total Sex Ratio (Female/Male)

Family Size

By Caste/Ethnicity No % No % No %

Chhetri 31 (50.0) 31 (50.0) 62 (100.0) 1.00 5.63

Kulung 18 (54.54) 15 (45.45) 33 (100.0) 0.833 5.5

Mewahang 15 (51.72) 14 (48.27) 29 (100.0) 0.93 5.8

Total / Overall 64 (51.61) 60 (48.28) 124 (100.0) 0.93 5.39

Source: Field Survey 2018

Total population of the surveyed project affected households is divided into three age categories (Table 5-47). Among age categories, 15-59 years age group (economically active population) has the highest proportion (59.7%). The dependent population (below 15 years and above 60 years of age) is 45.8 %.

Table 5-47Age and sex distribution of population

Categories

Below 15 Years 15 - 59 Years 60 Years & above

Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total

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No % No % No % No % No % No % No % No % No

Salpachilichho RM-1

5 8.1 7 11.3 14 22.6 18 29.0 18 29.0 37 59.7 8 12.9 6 9.7 14

Silichong RM-1

6 12.8 4 8.5 10 21.3 14 29.8 16 34.0 28 59.6 4 8.5 3 6.4 7

Silichong RM-3

1 6.7 2 13.3 3 20.0 5 33.3 4 26.7 9 60.0 3 20.0 0 0.0 3

Total / Overall

12 9.7 13 10.5 27 21.8 37 29.8 38 30.6 74 59.7 15 12.1 9 7.3 24


Marital Status

Table 5-48provides the marital status of the population of affected households. It is found that 45.16 % populations of the affected households are married and 54.83 % are unmarried.

Table 5-48 Distribution of Population by Marital Status among all Affected Population

Categories Married Unmarried Divorced/ Separated

Widow/ Widower

Total

By Location No % No % No % No % No %

Salpachilichho RM-1 28 (45.16) 34 (54.83) 0 (0.00) 0 (0.0) 62 (100.0)

Silichong RM-1 22 (46.80) 25 (53.19) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 47 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 6 (40.0) 9 (60.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 15 (100.0)

Total / Overall 56 (45.16) 68 (54.83) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 124 (100.0)


5.3.3.2 Languages and Religions

The Janajati/Adhibasi groups like Kulung and Mewahang speak in their own mother tongue to communicate each other. However, almost all family members of these groups can also communicate in Nepali language. The households in the project areas follow Hinduism and Kirat religions. Of the surveyed households, 73.38 % follow Hinduism and 26.62 % follow Kirat religions (Table 5-49).

Table 5-49Distribution of Affected Households by Religions

Categories Hindu Kirat Total

By Location No % No % No %

Salpachilichho RM-1 62 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 62 (100.0)

Silichong RM-1 25 (53.19) 22 (46.81) 47 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 4 (26.66) 11 (73.77) 15 (100.0)

Total / Overall 91 (73.38) 33 (26.62) 124 (100.0) Source: Field Survey 2018

5.3.3.3 Literacy Status

Out of the surveyed household population (aged 5 years and above), 85.96 % of the population is reported to be literate. 72.81% of the population can read and write while 13.16 % of the population can read only (Table 5-50).

Table 5-50Distribution of Population by Literacy Status among the Affected Population Aged 5 Years and Above

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Categories Illiterate Read and Write Read Only Total

By Location No % No % No % No %

Salpachilichho RM-1 7 12.07 41 70.69 10 17.24 58 100

Silichong RM-1 8 19.05 31 73.81 3 7.14 42 100

Silichong RM-3 1 7.14 11 78.57 2 14.29 14 100

Total / Overall 16 14.04 83 72.81 15 13.16 114 100 Source: Field Survey 2018

5.3.3.4 Educational Attainment

The level of education completed by the population aged 5 years and above is presented in Table 5-51. The Table reveals that 42.85 percent of the population has completed primary and lower secondary level, 50.54 percent has completed secondary level and 5.49 percent has completed higher secondary level and above.

Table 5-51: Distribution of Literate Population by Level of Education among the Population Aged 5 Years and Above

Categories Primary/ Lower Secondary Level

Secondary Level

Higher Secondary Level and Above

Total

By Location No % No % No % No %

Salpachilichho RM-1 20 (19.9) 21 (44.4) 3 (16.1) 44 (100.0)

Silichong RM-1 13 (19.1) 19 (44.1) 1 (10.3) 34 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 6 (46.15) 6 (46.15) 1 (7.6) 13 (100.0)

Total / Overall 39 (42.85) 46 (50.54) 5 (5.49) 91 (100.0)


5.3.3.5 Sources of Energy

The affected households use various sources and types of energy for lighting, heating/cooking purposes. Electricity is mainly used for lighting; firewood and LP gas is used for cooking and heating. Electricity facilities are available to all affected households and they use electricity mainly for lighting purposes. The project affected households use firewood as major sources of energy for cooking. Among the surveyed households, 82.60 percent use firewood as only the source of energy for cooking and 17.39 households use both firewood and LP gas as sources of energy for cooking (Table 5-52).

Table 5-52: Distributions of Affected Households by Types of Cooking Fuel Used

Categories Firewood Only Firewood & LP Gas Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 7 (77.77) 2 (22.22) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 2 (66.66) 1 (33.33) 3 (100.0)

Total/Overall 19 (82.60) 4 (17.39) 23 (100.0)


5.3.3.6 Drinking Water and Sanitation

All the affected households are found connected with piped water supply system through private tap (39.13%) and community tap (52.17%). However, 8.69 percent households (2 households) fetch water from river/ stream (Table 5-53).

Table 5-53: Distribution of the Affected Households by Sources of Drinking Water

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Categories Private Tap Only

Community Tap Only

River/ Stresm

Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 4 (44.44) 4 (44.44) 1 (11.11) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 1 (33.33) 2 (66.66) 0 (0.0) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 9 (39.13) 12 (52.17) 2 (8.69) 23 (100.0)


With regards to the sanitation, 95.65 percent project affected households are using toilets for defecation. The remaining 4.34 percent households (one household) reported that they use nearby forests, riverbanks and open space for defection purposes (Table 5-54).

Table5-54: Distribution of the Affected Households Reporting Toilet Facilities in their Current Residence

Categories With toilet Without toilet Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 9 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 3 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 22 (95.65) 1 (4.34) 23 (100.0)


In terms of types of toilet, 54.54 percent households have pan/slab with septic tank type of toilets and 45.45 percent have ordinary toilet with compound (Table 5-55).

Table 5-55: Distribution of the Affected Households by Types of Toilet Facilities

Categories Flush w/ Septic Tank

Pan/Slab with Septic

Tank

Ordinary Toilet Within

Compound

Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 0 (0.0) 6 (66.66) 3 (33.33) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 0 (0.0) 1 (33.33) 2 (66.66) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 0 (0.0) 12 (54.54) 10 (45.45) 22 (100.0)


5.3.3.7 Health Facilities

All affected households use at least one type of health care facilities available in the project areas. Of which most of the households (15) are reported to visit hospitals and 11 households are reported to visit sub-health post. Only 5 households are reported to visit Dhami/Jhakri for health care (Table 5-56).

Table 5-56: Distribution of Affected Households Reporting Accessed to Various Health Facilities

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Categories Hospital Sub-health Post

Ayurbedic Sanstha

Dhami/Jhakri

Health Camp

By Location

Salpachilichho RM-1

9 4 0 1 3

Silichong RM-1

5 4 2 3 2

Silichong RM-3

1 3 1 1 1


5.3.3.8 Prevalent Diseases

The prevalence of most frequent ailments in the project sites is presented in Table 5-57. Fever, common cold, diarrhea are commonly reported by the respondents of the affected households. The prevalence of water born and air borne diseases are commonly reported. Common cold, fever and both common cold, fever are the most prevalent (26.31% each) among all affected households followed by diarrhea, heart related, tuberculosis and respiratory troubles.

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Table 5-57: Distribution of Affected Households Reporting Various Illnesses Occurred in the Family during the Last Year


Categories Fever TB Fever & Common Cold

Common Cold

Diarrhea Heart Related Heart Related & TB

Respiratory Trouble

Total

By Location

Salpachilichho RM-1 3 (20.0) 1 (6.6) 3 20.0 3 20.0 4 26.6 1 6.6 1 6.6 0 (0.0) 15 (100)

Silichong RM-1 9 29.03 1 3.22 9 29.03 9 29.03 3 9.67 1 3.22 0 (0.0) 1 3.22 31 (100)

Silichong RM-3 3 27.27 1 9.09 3 27.27 3 27.27 0 0.0 1 9.09 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 11 (100)

Total / Overall 15 (26.31) 3 (5.26) 15 (26.31) 15 (26.31) 7 (12.28) 3 (5.26) 1 (1.75) 1 (1.75) 57 (100)

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5.3.3.9 Occupation

The occupation in the surveyed households is a mixture of farm and non-farm activities similar to project area. Of the total surveyed households all the households are engaged in agriculture and livestock farming activities. However, among them 52.17 % households are also engaged in service and 17.39 % households are engaged as wage laborer and in other activities. Although large number of households are involved in farm activities, the major part of the household income is derived from nonfarm activities.

5.3.3.10 Land ownership

The project affected households are distributed under different land ownership categories as per the nature and types of operation and landholdings in table 5-58. All the surveyed affected households are title owner and no households are operating unregistered/government lands and tenancy lands.

Table 5-58: Distribution of Affected Households by Agricultural Land Ownership Status

Categories Title Owner No Agri. Land/ Cultivating Tenancy Land

Operating Government Land

Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 9 (95.8) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 3 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 23 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 23 (100.0)


Of the total land owning project affected households, 86.95 percent households own Khet lands while 13.05 percent households own Bari and Kharbari lands (Table 5-59).

Table 5-59: Distributions of Affected Households Owning Different Types of Lands

Categories Khet Bari/ Kharbari Other Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 8 (88.88) 1 (11.11) 0 (0.0) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 3 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 20 (86.95) 3 (13.05) 0 (0.0) 23 (100.0)


The average landholding (for all categories of lands) of all the land owning project affected households is estimated to be 0.88 Ha/HH ranging from 0.74 Ha/HH in Silichong Rural Muncipality-1, 0.93 Ha/HH in Salpachilichho Rural Municipality-1 to 0.97 Ha/HH in Silichong Rural Muncipality-3 (Table 5-60).

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Table 5-60: Average Size of Land Owned in Hectare

Categories Khet Bari/Kharbari Other Total Reporting

Sample Average

Holders Average

Sample Average

Holders Average

Sample Average

Holders Average

Sample Average

Holders Average

By Location

Salpachilichho RM-1 0.78 0.78 0.15 0.15 - - 0.93 0.93

Silichong RM-1 0.53 0.53 0.21 0.21 - - 0.74 0.74

Silichong RM-3 0.57 0.57 0.40 0.40 - - 0.97 0.97

Total / Overall 0.63 0.63 0.25 0.25 0.88 0.88


5.3.3.11 Agriculture production and food sufficiency

The project affected households are growing different types of crops such as cereals (paddy, maize, millet), and vegetables. The average per household production of major crops and vegetables for affected households is: paddy (4.83 ton), maize (4.32 ton), and vegetables (3.01 ton).

Status of Food Sufficiency

Among the surveyed households, majority of the households (60.87%) produce food sufficient for 7-9 months, 21.74 percent produce food sufficient for 4-6 months and remaining 17.39 percent produce food sufficient up to 3 months (Table 5-61).

Table 5-61: Distribution of Farmer Households Reporting Duration of Food Sufficiency

Categories Up to 3 Months

4 - 6 Months 7 - 9 Months

Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 2 (22.22) 2 (22.22) 5 (55.56) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 1 (33.33) 1 (33.33) 1 (33.33) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 4 (17.39) 5 (21.74) 14 (60.87) 23 (100.0)


Strategies for Food Security

To meet the food deficiency, the affected households are adopting more than one strategy. Use of income from service, use of income from agriculture and sale of livestock are the main strategies adopted by the surveyed households (Table 5-62).

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Table 5-62 Distribution of HHs by their Copping Strategies against Food Deficit (Multiple Reponses)

Categories Agricultural income

Livestock Farming Service Income Total

By Location

Salpachilichho RM-1

2 (25.0) 9 (42.85) 5 (41.66) 14 (42.42)

Silichong RM-1 4 (50.0) 9 (42.85) 5 (41.66) 14 (42.42)

Silichong RM-3 2 (25.0) 3 (42.85) 2 (16.66) 5 (15.15)

Total / Overall 8 (24.24) 21 (63.63) 12 (36.36) 33 (100.0)


5.3.3.12 Animal Husbandry

Among the different types of livestock, the majority of the households are rearing Goat (32.20%) followed by fowl (25.00%), buffaloes (18.18%), cattle (17.05 %), pig (5.68%) and other (1.89 %) (Table 5-63). The overall per household average size of the livestock is calculated to be 11.48 for the affected households.

Table 5-63: Households Rearing Different Kinds of Livestock

Categories Cattle Buffaloes Goat Pigs Fowl Other Total Avg. /HH

By Location

Salpachilichho RM-1 19 17 46 10 40 5 137 12.45

Silichong RM-1 23 28 39 0 17 0 107 11.89

Silichong RM-3 3 3 0 5 9 0 20 6.67

Total / Overall 45 (17.05%)

48 (18.18%)

85 (32.20%)

15 (5.68%)

66 (25.00%)

5 (1.89%)

264 (100%)

11.48

Avg. /HH 1.96 2.09 3.70 0.65 2.87 0.22 11.48


5.3.3.13 Annual Incomes and Expenditures

Like other parts of rural Nepal, the overall economic structure of the project affected households is also characterized by a mixture of farm and nonfarm activities. It is indeed a difficult task to calculate the income and expenditure patterns of the surveyed households of the project sites because the income and expenditure data, in most of the time, might not be very reliable as most of the respondents either grossly underestimate their income or overestimate their expenditure patterns. Besides, farmers never keep records of income and expenditures of their families. However, an attempt has been made to identify the various sources of income and expenditure and to estimate average annual household income and expenditure values.

Annual Incomes

The income sources of the surveyed households are grouped broadly into two categories: income from nonfarm activities and income from farm activities. Both the farm and the nonfarm activities play equally significant role in the household economy of the surveyed households income. Average annual income from farm and off-farm sources is summarized in Table 5-64. Agriculture income contributes 47.47%, service contributes 35.55%, livestock farming contributes 13.67 %, and wages and other income 3.31% to the average annual household incomes. The average annual household income of the surveyed households is calculated as NRs. 172086.96 per HH.

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Table 5-64: Average Annual Income from Various Sources for Affected Households

Category Income sources Annual Income (Rs) Percentage

Farm activities Agriculture Income 1879000 47.47

Livestock 541000 13.67

Non-farm activities

Service 1407000 35.55

Wage income and others 131000 3.31

Total 3958000 100


Annual Expenditures

The average per household annual expenditures on various items for affected households is presented in Table 6.95. The average annual expenditure of the surveyed affected households is estimated to be Rs. 169946.09 per HH. major portion of which is spend in purchasing and production of food items (42.52 %) followed by education (17.74%), ornaments and assets (14.43%),agriculture and livestock (7.09%), health care (3.40%) and other items (Table 5-65).

Table 5-65: Average Annual Expenditures of the Affected Households by Sources of Expenses

Categories Annual Expenditure (Rs) Percentage

Food items 1662000 42.52

Garment/Cloths 231600 5.93

Ornaments and assets 564000 14.43

Fuel 125400 3.21

Medication 132960 3.40

Education 693600 17.74

Agriculture and livestock 277200 7.09

Others 222000 5.68

Total 3908760 100.00

Source, Field Survey, 2018

5.3.3.14 Perception about the Project and Preferred Modality of Compensation

Studied carried out in various locations of the project area indicate that local people have positive attitude toward the construction of the project. However, household survey data shows that 78.26 % households interviewed expressed their positive thoughts over the project and the remaining 21.73 % households were unknown about the project. Expectation of jobs, quality health services, education, availability of reliable electricity and improved physical infrastructures were the main reasons to support the project.

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Table 5-66: Distribution of Respondents by Perception about the Project

Categories Positive about project

Do Not Know Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 6 (66.66) 3 (33.33) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 3 (100.0) 0 (0.0) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 18 (78.26) 5 (21.73) 23 (100.0)

Source: Field Study, 2018

Project affected household were asked to specify their preference for compensation in case their land need to be acquired for the construction of the project. The results are presented in table 6.102. Majority of the affected households (65.21%) expressed desires for cash compensation for the lands to be acquired by the project while about 13.04 % households show willingness to get land for land compensation and the rest household preferred to be rehabilitated by the developers (Table 5-67).

Table 5-67: Distribution of Affected HHs by their preference on Modes of Compensation for the loss of structures and other properties

Categories Cash Land for Land

Rehabilitated by developers

Total

By Location


Silichong RM-1 6 (66.66) 1 (11.11) 2 (22.22) 9 (100.0)

Silichong RM-3 2 (66.66) 0 (0.00) 1 (33.33) 3 (100.0)

Total / Overall 15 (65.21) 3 (13.04) 5 (21.7) 23 (100.0)

Source: Field Study, 2018

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CHAPTER 6

DESCRIPTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

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6 DESCRIPTIONON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

In this chapter, environmental issues identified inToR of the EIA study for the determination of the potential environmental impacts in the project area are presented.The environmental impacts were evaluated in terms of the nature of the impacts such as direct/indirect; the extent of the impacts such as site specific, local or regional; and the duration of the impacts such as short term, medium term and long term. Development of the proposed transmission line project and its ancillary facilities do not affect in any way other hydroelectric, transmission line or other development projects, be it in planned, proposed, feasibility stage, construction state or operation staege. Further, while implementing the project, project proponent will also coordinate with aviation authority.

Adverse and beneficial impacts on physical, biological and socio-economic and cultural environments that are not anticipated and identified during the EIA study and not reported in the EIA report if found out during the later stages of the proposed project development will be duly and compulsorily taken into account by the proponent of the proposed project on his own expense.

6.1 Beneficial Impact

6.1.1 Construction Phase

Employment opportunities for local people during construction phase

One of the important beneficial impacts of the project during construction is local employment generation. The estimated construction period of the project is four years. The construction module, which emphasizes labor-based approach using local people, tends to benefit directly to the people living in the area. The construction works offers a wide range of employment for 500 people varying from unskilled to skilled. Of them most of the unskilled and semi-skilled persons will be hired locally. The amount of money that will flow in the local economy in terms of wage earnings will directly enhance the quality of life of the local people.

The impact will be direct in nature, high in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.

Potential improvement of public facilities such as health posts, schools, drinking water and social services

The project has allocated 0.75% of total project cost as Community Support Program and suggested improvement of local services like health posts, schools, drinking water and social services. Project also support to improve water supply facilities, educational institutions, health care institutions, etc. beforehand commencement of construction as some of these are necessary for its construction crew as well. These programs are envisaged to help develop local infrastructures and social services in the project impacted area helping local people to improve their quality of life.

The impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

Business opportunities for local people

Project requires a significant number of construction workforces (estimated 500) for a period of about four years. The construction work force will require a variety of service facilities and consumer goods produced locally as well as from outside of the project area. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, milk and milk products produced locally will be in high demand. The local farmers of the project area producing these products will, thus, be benefited. Tea shops, grocery shops, restaurants, fast food will be the major source of income to the local people. Besides, other micro and small industries such as dairy, poultry & livestock farming, furniture, tailoring, handicraftsproduction etc. could be established by the local people themselves to meet the requirements of the construction workforce. The project will incorporate programs to assist the local farmers in the commercial production of local agricultural produces by training, distribution of improved seeds, or technology transfer etc.

The impact will be indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.

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Upliftment of rural economy and improved livelihood

The workforce who will reside at different locations of the project area for the construction period will depend on local market for their day to day consumption goods. During construction period, different types of commercial activities in different economic sectors such as agriculture, business/trade, service etc will come into operation in order to meet the demand of the workforce (labor groups, construction crew and project team) and visiting population.

Local people having experiences in running hotels, lodges, restaurants and grocery shops might instigate enterprise capability and create employment opportunities for their family as well to others. The demand for local products such as milk, meat, vegetables, fruits etc. will rise during the construction period which may provide added impetus for local production and marketing. As a result of increased commercial activities a significant amount of cash will in the local economy. The increase in trade and business will create economic opportunities and enhance the economic value of the area and status of local people. This is indirect impact of moderate magnitude, local extent and short term.

The impact will be indirect in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.

Hydropower project induced development

As a result of the project implementation, induced economic development will take place in the area. Due to change in demand and supply situation, increase in economic activities, cash flow, accessibility to services, infrastructure development will provide opportunity for emergence of commercial banks, government and non-government offices, health and educational facilities, tourism industry etc. and development of market/ growth centers, enterprises, agro based industries and activities. The availability of better services will improve the quality of life of local people, increase land value and infrastructures condition in the area.

The impact will be indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

Potential exposure of the local population to new technologies and technology transfer

The project requires professional technical persons for implementation of the construction works. Local people who will get opportunities to work with these professionals will get opportunities to learn knowledge and skills from the professionals. With the knowledge and skills learned during the construction of the project, local people will be able to get employment in similar projects elsewhere. Such knowledge and skills will be obtained, particularly in the areas of tunnel construction, heavy equipment operation, masonry, construction of dry walls, gabion walls and bio-engineering etc.

The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.

6.1.2 Operation Phase

Employment opportunities for local people

After the completion of construction work, the project will require some permanent posts for the smooth operation and regular maintenance of the project components such as surge tank, switch yard, settling basin, powerhouse and other electro mechanical equipments. Local people will be recruited for administrative and technical work according to their qualifications and skills. These will give permanent income source to some of the local people. Similarly, on the other hand, increase in number of households having electricity will require more technical persons for wiring and to fix frequent problems in electrical connection. This demand may encourage local people to obtain trainings in house wiring and maintenance of electrical equipment.

The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.


With the project in their background, local people can involve in business supplying groceries and equipment needs of the project and its resident workers. Additionally, more reliable electricity supply

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will encourage small and medium scale industries based on local resources. These will have positive impact on local economy. This impact will be indirect, medium significance, local and long term in nature.

The impact will be indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

Sharing of electricity royalty to concerned state and concerned local level

As per the provisions in the Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangement Act, 2074, 50 % of the total royalty obtained will be allocated to the Government of Nepal, 25% to the conserned state and 25% to the concerned local level.

The impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in duration.


During the operation phase, in addition to employment, the main economic benefits of the project will be activities resulting from increased availability of power locally. Due to increased accessibility and better market opportunities developed during the construction phase, economic activities may still continue in the project areas. All of this will create employment opportunities and means of livelihood for households, including vulnerable families, of the project area. There is considerable potential for development in the retail, construction, hotel and industrial sectors in the project area.

The impact will be indirect in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

Provide a basis for reliable electricity supply than the current supply system

The implementation of the project will open the door of rural electrification for the project ward/settlement of project Wards which are not electrified.

The impact will be direct in nature, high in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

Increased energy supply in the national grid

Despite its high potential for hydropower, Nepal has not been able to harness its water resources for the overall development of the country. The implementation of the proposed SKHP will generate estimated 233.92 GWh of hydroelectricity per year and feed into the national grid and this will have large positive impact on the macro-economic growth of the country.Moreover, Hydroelectric being clean renewable energy will also protect the environment.

The impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in duration.

Table 6-1: Summary of Beneficial Environmental Impact

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SN Impact Direct/Indirect Impact

Magnitude

Extent Duration

Significance

A Construction Phase


D H (60) L (20) St (05) 85 Highly significant


D M (20) L (20) Lt (20) 60 Moderately significant


I M (20) L (20) St (05) 45 Moderately significant


I Lo (10) L (20) St (05) 35 Low significant

Hydropower project induced development

I M (20) L (20) Lt (20) 60 Moderately significant


D Lo (10) L (20) St (05) 35 Low significant

B Operaion Phase


D Lo (10) L (20) Lt (20) 50 Moderately significant


I M (20) L (20) Lt (20) 60 Moderately significant


D M (20) R (60) Lt (20) 100 Highly significant


I Lo (10) L (20) Lt (20) 50 Moderately significant


D H (60) L (20) Lt (20) 100 Highly significant

Increased energy supply in the national grid D M (20) R (60) Lt (20) 100 Highly significant

Note: D = Direct, ID = Indirect, S= Site specific, L= Local, R= Regional, ST=Short Term, LT= Long Term, H = High, M=Moderate, LO= Low

Value in the parenthes are based on neumaric value provided in National Environmental Impact Assessment Guideline, 1993. Priority rank; 1 (sum of numerical value 70 or above) = highly significant; 2 (sum of numerical value 45- 70) = moderately significant; 3 (sume of numeric value below 45) = low significant.

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6.2 Adverse Impact 6.2.1 Physical Environment

6.2.1.1 Construction Phase

Change on land use and topography due to muck disposal, land acquisition and build of structures

Areas under different land use patterns will be required for the project construction. In the case of SKHP, forest area, private land and river banks will be utilized for the project construction. About 14.702ha of land is planned to be acquired temporarily and permanently for project infrastructure construction. Out of the total land to be acqusited, project requires 7.202ha permanently for the construction of different project component. The topography of the project area will be changed since the land use will be changed in the area. The local topography of cropland and forested land will be replaced by infrastructure of project like intake, power house, and staff quarters. Impact on the topography will also occur by the disturbance of fragile slopes, clearance of land and disposal of muck.

The impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in duration.

Possibility of change water and soil quality due to possible spillage/leakage of toxic materials

Haphazard disposal of used lubricants, grease, mobil, and toxic chemicals and seepage of petroleum products from the bunkers and mechanical yards can have an irreversible impact to the receptors (either land or waterresources).

The construction equipments and vehicles use large quantities of grease, mobil and other lubricants. Similarly, a number of toxic chemicals are used for enhancing the property of concrete admixtures and water proofing works. Disposal of these materials after use or expiry of the usable date into the water bodies has a long lasting impact on the water quality of the receiving water bodies with implications on the aquatic life ecology on both local to regional scale. The seepage of the petroleum products from the storage yards/bunkers of the construction site and the release of these products as mechanical yard wastewater into the water bodies also has the potential of water quality degradation rendering the water unsuitable for consumption at downstream and aquatic life. Similarly, the entry of these materials through leakage, seepage and runoff during handling, during use, after use and storage after expiry of the usable date into the land has a long lasting impact on the soil quality.

The impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Possibility of degradation of local water and air quality and increase in noise level

Potential of water pollution

Weir and the intake foundations lie on the river bed. Hence, any construction on the river bed is going to impinge upon the river water quality and habitat of aquatic life. For the construction of weir foundation, project has a plan of river water diversion at construction site; such that the construction works directly don’t impinge the flowing river. However, river diversion works will have serious implication on the existing water quality during the diversion period and existing aquatic ecology permanently.

Potential of air pollution in the surrounding areas

High volume of particulate emissions will be generated from various excavations, crushing and mixing activities during construction in and around the project site. The movement of vehicles on the earthen road surface is also expected to generate large volumes of particulate emissions. Different factors that determine the amount of dust blown in the atmosphere include type of activity & operational modality of the construction works & vehicles and climatic conditions (dry & wet). The vehicles plying from the main road to the construction sites, however could impart high impacts of suspension dusts to the households located close to the road corridor. In the construction sites, the high suspension dust particle will have high impact on the health of the occupational workers.

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The cooking activities in construction & labor camps and combustion from vehicles/machineries will generate gaseous emissions. However, the amounts of emissions generated from such activities are nominal and are not likely to degrade the ambient air quality of the local surrounding areas significantly.

Construction activities inside the tunnel such as drilling, blasting, and mucking generates high amount of dust as well as high concentration of CO, NOx, and SOx. The concentration values of emissions in the tunnel will depend upon the construction activities and modality of mucking operation besides efficiency of ventilators. High concentration of dusts and gaseous pollutants in the tunnel is of concern related to occupational health and safety of the workers.

Potential of noise pollution in the surrounding areas

The construction activity particularly blasting operations, machinery operations and vehicular traffic will enhance the background noise level during the construction period close to the construction sites (quarry sites, batching plants, aggregate crushing plants, powerhouse, headworks, mechanical and equipment yards) and along the vehicular corridors. At the construction site and immediate vicinity the background noise level is expected to be higher. Increased short lived peak noise during blasting could be much higher for the nearest community, while the noise level contributed by the vehicular movement along the road corridor could be marginally high.

The impacts of the noise level is expected high to the occupational worker which can have implication on their health both by the increased background noise level and the short-lived high pitch noise of blasting and vehicular movements. The communities located at distance will not feel the impact of the increased background noise, but high pitch short-lived noise may impact the health of the communities particularly the old aged and children in the morning, evening and night.

The impacts will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Issue due to operation of quarry site and borrow area

The quarry sites are located near Bandewa at the right bank of Sankhuwa Kholaand near the Powerhouse area in Bamling. Haphazard quarrying from the River might change the river morphology and river water pathways significantly involving changes in river bank erosion and sedimentation pattern than the existing ones with both positive and adverse implications on the river banks. Quarrying at the river wet channel might involve changes in river water quality particularly in the increase in the sediment load. As wet channels are habitat site of the aquatic life will impact the aquatic life adversely.In addition, over extraction from the river may leads to the deepening of riverbed, river course to change, river edges to fall into the river, resulting landslide and mass wasting.

The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Issue due to storage of construction material

The project has designated separate areas for the stockpiling of construction materials such as sand, aggregates, iron rods, steel frames, and cement for the project construction period. However open and haphazard stockpiling has potential to degrade the aesthetic beauty of the stockpiling areas.


Issue due to the blasting and use of heavy equipments

The vibrations of blasting might damage some of the supra structure located close to the tunnel alignment, such as mud mortar houses of the local area. Cracks might develop in these houses. Such incidents have been reported in other hydropower projects close to the tunnel alignment.


Issue of increased solid and construction waste

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The solid waste generated in construction camps which include a range of solid waste from normal household kitchen waste to garden waste, packaging wastes comprising plastics, paper cardboards to other common wastes such as clothes, rubber, leather, glass bottles, broken glass and porcelain, ruptured plastic bottles, buckets. Estimated potential solid waste generation from the construction camps is 300 kg/day (estimated 500 person @ 0.6kg/ppday = 300kg/day). If disposed improperly, this could result in land pollution and degradation of aesthetics in and around the areas of construction camps.

Similarly in the construction sites, cement bags, packaging materials and containers of the equipment, and other materials, small iron pieces, wires, worn out ropes, wood pieces, worn out timbers, used and worn out vehicle tires, damaged plywood planks are generated as solid waste from construction. Haphazard disposal of these construction wastes will degrade the aesthetics of the surrounding area and cause pollution of river banks and bed.


Issue of slope stability, sedimentation and soil erosion

Construction activities will include land excavation, slope cutting, grading, use of heavy equipment etc, which will change the existing slope of land. These activities on slopesmay induce slope failure and mass wasting. Use of explosives for excavation during the construction of tunnel will disturb the stable rock and rock fall may occur. Blasting will cause vibrations which may initiate landslides. The clearing activities of forest and agricultural land for the construction of project structures will make the soil surface loose. So soil erosion may occur during the rainy season especially in the steep slopes. The eroded particles may be transported to the river by monsoon runoff and exacerbate sedimentation in river.


Change on river morphology due to quarry site operation

The quarry sites are located near Bandewa at the right bank of Sankhuwa Khola and near the Powerhouse area in Bamling. Haphazard quarrying from the River might change the river morphology and river water pathways involving changes in river bank erosion and sedimentation pattern than the existing ones. The extraction of materials from inappropriate places or in excessive amount will seriously damage the local surroundings that include bank instability. Over extraction may leads to the deepening of riverbed, river course to change, river edges to fall into the river, resulting landslide and mass wasting.


Issue due to possible drying up of springs and other water sources due to tunnel construction work

Experiences from previous studies showed thatconstruction of tunnel dewater the land area above the level of tunnel within an influence area of hundred meters from the right of way of the tunnel alignment. Dewatering or draining of the groundwater above the level of tunnel is high in the initial phase of construction and again re-established after many years of construction.

These water sources are likely to be impacted by the tunnel excavation works. Provided these spring water sources are drained to the tunnel, the population depending upon these sources will have to travel long distance for the drinking water purpose and the agricultural products based on the irrigation water from these sources will be not available to the local communities with implication on livelihood. The envisaged impacts will be high on the communities’ dependent on these water sources, site specific and for a long-term impact.


Issue of muck disposal

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Haphazard disposal of muck in the designated area and elsewhere is of concern related to air pollution, water quality issues, and erosion and sedimentation. As the muck disposal site is located in the flood plain and embankment area, improper disposal might increase the sediment load in the river and there is a possibility of muck washout during high monsoon floods which could cause the downstream sedimentation and disturbance to the aquatic life.


Possibility of loss of fertile land

Total of1.965hectares of agricultural land will be used by the project. The top soil, estimated to be about 7860 m3,in the fertile land will be destroyed if not removed before construction and cannot be used for cultivation.


6.2.1.2 Operation Phase

Issue due to change on hydrology and water quality due to reduced flow at low flow zone

Hydropower projects impinge the river hydrology drastically. The change in flow during wet season is not considered significant but in dry period (7 months) the flow will be significantly reduced which causes adverse impact on river morphology. This will be a residual impact until the project will be in operation.

There will be some change in the water quality in the dry season in the dewatered stretch of the river between dam and tailrace. Because of the reduction of the flow discharge and contribution of nutrients, there will be growth of blue filamentous algae in the dewatered stretch of the river. The dissolved oxygen level will slightly drop while the water temperature will slightly increase.


Issue due to drying up of water sources in headworks, powerhouse and tunnel alignment

Experiences from previous studies showed thatconstruction of tunnel dewater the land area above the level of tunnel within an influence area of hundred meters from the right of way of the tunnel alignment. Dewatering or draining of the groundwater above the level of tunnel is high in the initial phase of construction and again re-established after many years of construction.

These water sources are likely to be impacted by the tunnel excavation works. Provided these spring water sources are drained to the tunnel, the population depending upon these sources will have to travel long distance for the drinking water purpose and the agricultural products based on the irrigation water from these sources will be not available to the local communities with implication on livelihood.


Issue due to change in topography and land use

The topography of the project area will be changed since the land use will be changed in the area. The local topography of cropland and forested land will be replaced by concrete infrastructure of project like intake, powerhouse, and staff quarters. Sometimes cutting of slopes may create disturbances in the existing landscape which may accelerate landslides. Impact on the topography will occur by the disturbance of fragile slopes, clearance of riverine land for quarry and disposal of muck. Impact on topography will occur during operation phase also if the fragile slopes have been disturbed during construction phase.


Issue on micro climate in reduce flow zone d/s and impoundment area in u/s of weir

Since the project is a free gravity flow run-of-river type, impacts of change in micro-climate could be of less significance. However, the impact may be higher to the temperature non-resilient faunal and

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floral species at the immediate downstream of the weir. Since temperature resilience of the existing flora and fauna is not well understood, microclimatic modifications might cause impacts on flora and fauna of mostly aquatic origin.Human beings being more resilient to such changes in temperatures, health effects to the public health are not expected.

The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

Reclaiming the muck disposal area and quarry site area

After the disposal of muck in a specified area, special care should be given to assure that disposed materials will not be eroded by runoff. After muck disposal, there might be different types of erosion such as sheet, rill and gully erosion resulting in increase in sedimentation of the river. During intense rainfall in monsoon season, the rate of erosion might be increased from the disposal site if the area is left open. Thus the reclamation of that area should be an integral part of the project mitigation.

After safe disposal of muck, the site shall be reclaimed as there are limited usable land resources in the project area. It is also important to maintain the aesthetic of the landscape.


Issue Slope stability, sedimentation, and soil erosion

Due to mountainous fragile topography, slope instability and soil erosion are common problem which get accelerated during intense rainfall in monsoon season. The eroded soil particles can be trapped in the dam and settling basin resulting in sedimentation problem in hydropower plant. Further, if landslides occur in the upstream, the rate of sedimentation becomes higher. Similarly, bad land use practices such as deforestation can contribute to the sedimentation problem. During operation period, sedimentation in the downstream area is one of the major problems.

The construction of project infrastructure such as tunnel adit, surge shaft, penstock alignment changes the topography. Hence, slope stability is a matter which needs to be taken into account during the operation phase. Change in land use during construction phase may make the steep slope unstable and may accelerate landslides during operation also if not managed properly.

The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in duration.

Noise pollution in the power house

The operation of the turbines and other electrical equipments generate constant noise. However, this noise will be confined within the powerhouse. There will be no impact on the surrinding environment rather it is an issue of occupational health and safety of the operation workers working in the powerhouse.


Issue due to leakage of oil and grease and other liquid materials

The operation equipments, machinery and vehicles use large quantities of grease, mobil and other lubricants. Hapahazard disposal of these materials after use or expiry of the usable date and leakage, seepage and runoff of the petroleum products during handling, during use, after use and storage after expiry of the usable date into the land and water bodies has a long lasting impact on the soiland water quality.


Table 6-2: Summary of Adverse Physical Environmental Impact

SN Impact Direct/Indirect

Magnitude

Extent Duration

Significance

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Impact



D M (20) Sp (10) Lt (20) 50 moderately significant


D M (20) Sp (10) St (05) 35 low significant




D Lo (10) Sp (10) St (05) 35 low significant

















B Operation Phase


D M (20) L (20) Lt (20) 60 moderately significant






D Lo(10) L (20) Lt (20) 50 moderately significant




D Lo (10) Sp (10) Lt (20) 40 low significant

Noise pollution in the power house D Lo (10) Sp (10) Lt (20) 40 low significant




Value in the parenthes are based on neumaric value provided in National Environmental Impact Assessment Guideline, 1993. Priority rank; 1 (sum of numerical value 70 or above) = highly significant; 2 (sum of numerical value 45 - 70) = moderately significant; 3 (sume of numeric value below 45) = low significant.

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6.2.2 Biological Environment


Disturbance to aquatic species and its habitat

Construction disturbances such as temporary diversion of the Sankhuwa Khola water, excavation and concreting works, and disposal of construction spoils, waste water, effluent of oils and grease etc. directly into the river without treatment will affect the aquatic species and their habitats.Similarly, quarrying, resulting in the excess removal of boulders, gravel and pebbles from a particular place may affect fish habitat and may facilitate the over-exploitation of fish.

Project activities in the riverbed like excavation of the weir foundation or construction of the settling basin may increase sediment, especially during the dry period, which in turn may increase water turbidity and affect survival of aquatic life. Suspended particles can alter the physical properties of aquatic habitats. Also, haphazard disposal of construction, excavated materials (e.g. muck) and construction waste could have direct impact on the aquatic ecosystem.


Loss of vegetation due to clearance for the project structures and facilities

The construction of SKHPrequires 7.202ha of land including about 3.104ha of forest land permanently. The acquisition of forest requires clearance of 1505numbers of trees of different species having DBH 10 cm and above (Table 6-3). The falling of these trees will account losses of about 411.780m3 timber 298329.05kg stem biomass, 70853.52kg fuel wood and 18253.42kg foliage biomass. The detail estimation of loss of timber, firewood, and foliage in terms of tree species, and legal category of the forest are given in Table 6-3, Table 6-4and Table 6-5respectively.


Table 6-3: Vegetation (tree) loss in terms of species

S. N.

Local Name

Scientific Name

Losses of vegetation Standing wood volume Foliage biomass (kg)

Total Biomass for Standing Tree (kg)

Losses of regeneration (number)

Losses of tree (number)

Timber (m3)

Stem biomass (kg)

Fuel wood (kg)

Sapling

Seedling

Pole

Tree

1 Sal Shorea robusta

709 1774 443 124 148.926 131054.76 31219.63 7941.525 170215.91

2 Chilaune Schima wallichii

532 709 310 98 111.520 76837.584 18304.79 4655.573 99797.943

3 Katus Castanopsis indica

177 44 9 9.055 5885.774 1375.54 378.462 7639.777

4 Siris Albizia lebbeck

18 13.298 8949.871 2280.355 420.569 11650.796

5 Simal Bombax ceiba

9 6.706 2682.503 684.993 124.813 3492.309

6 Syal Fusro

Lindera pulcherrima

44 9 9.392 4226.364 923.847 324.198 5474.4095

7 Badhar Artocrpus lakoocha

9 7.965 5177.115 1330.072 234.264 6741.451

8 Khanayo Ficus semicordata

18 14.014 7217.260 1848.711 331.097 9397.0691

9 Kabro Ficus lacor 9 4.675 2150.521 502.068 138.708 2791.299 10 Mauwa Engelhardtia

spicata 44 18 29.261 19019.718 4595.761 1099.247 24714.725

11 Bot Dhayero

Lagerstroemia Parviflora

44 9 10.258 8719.228 1929.731 649.316 11298.276

12 Khirro Sapium insigne

177 44 9 11.125 6786.080 1564.597 453.878 8804.556

13 Kyamuno

Cleistocalyx operculata

44 9 15.490 7977.124 1840.628 532.371 10350.123

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14 Gayo Bridelia retusa

9 1.210 623.075 134.839 48.9113 806.825

15 Bhalayo Rhus wallichii

89 0 11.433 5888.078 1225.166 502.493 7615.737

16 Saj Terminalia alata

44 0 7.451 5133.989 1092.801 417.992 6644.782

Total 1419 2661 1150 355 411.780 298329.05 70853.52 18253.42 387435.99


Table 6-4: Losses of trees at different project components

Project components

Forest area (ha)

Loss of vegetation Crown coverage (%) Saplings Seedlings Tree (≥10cm

DBH HR surface pipe, HR inlet portal, Intake & settling basin

1.454 664 1246 705 35

Permanent Camp 0.73 334 626 354 30

Access to surge shaft

0.505 231 433 245 35

Adit portal 0.158 72 135 77 40

Outlet portal, surge shaft and penstock

0.257 117 220 124 35


Table 6-5: Vegetation loss in terms of legal category of the forest

S N

Forest type Forest area (ha)

Losses of vegetation Wood volume m3

Standing tree biomass (kg) Total biomass kg Sapli

ng Seedling

Pole

Tree Stem biomass (kg)

Fuel wood (kg)

Foliage biomass (kg)

1 Protected Forest (Buffer Zone of MakaluBarun National Park)

2.689 1229 2304 996 307 356.725 258442.92 61380.52 15812.97 335636.40

2 Community forest

0.415 190 356 154 48 55.054 39886.13 9473.01 2440.45 51799.59

Total 3.104 1419 2660 1150 355 411.780 298329.05 70853.52 18253.42 387435.99


Loss of timber (pole and tree class), fuel wood and fodder from the project occupied forest land is estimated to be NRs. 4,016,438.50, NRs. 141,707.058and NRs. 8,026.7185respectively (Table 6-6).

Table 6-6: Valuation of forest loss in terms of plant species

S N. Scientific Name Value of Timber Loss (Pole and tree class) (NRs)

Value of fuel wood loss (NRs)

Value of fodder loss (NRs)

Total (NRs)

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1 Shorea robusta 1730936.0 62439.26 3970.7625 1797346.023

2 Schima wallichii 1349947.0 36609.58 2327.7865 1388884.367

3 Castanopsis indica 50701.25 2751.08 189.231 53641.561

4 Albizia lebbeck 79402.5 4560.71 83963.21

5 Bombax ceiba 39701.25 1369.986 41071.236

6 Lindera pulcherrima 50701.25 1847.694 162.099 52711.043

7 Artocrpus lakoocha 39701.25 2660.144 117.132 42478.526

8 Ficus semicordata 79402.5 3697.422 165.5485 83265.4705

9 Ficus lacor 39701.25 1004.136 69.354 40774.74

10 Engelhardtia spicata 242127 9191.522 549.6235 251868.1455

11 Lagerstroemia Parviflora 130963.5 3859.462 134822.962

12 Sapium insigne 50701.25 3129.194 53830.444

13 Cleistocalyx operculata 50701.25 3681.256 266.1855 54648.6915

14 Bridelia retusa 39701.25 269.678 39970.928

15 Rhus wallichii 22250 2450.332 24700.332

16 Terminalia alata 19800 2185.602 208.996 22194.598

Total 4016438.50 141707.058 8026.7185 4166172.277

Note: Timber value has been estimated based on information in Nepal Rajpatra 23/02/2068

Loss of biodiversity

Activities like forest clearance and tree falling would account loss of biodiversity. It is estimated that construction of the project would require clearance of 16 types of tree species accounting to the loss of about 1152 pole and 355 tree class. However, as these species are distributed in wider area in similar ecological zone, the overall impact of site clearance on floral diversity is expected to be minimum.

Given the workforce number and their stay for three years in the construction sites it is estimated the firewood requirement would be sufficient to wipe out the existing firewood trees in the surrounding forest. Hence, the loss of faunal diversity could be high. However, as the certain part of the project area (headworks area and some section of tunnel alignment) lies in the buffer zone of Makalu Barun National Park the strict rules are enforced to protect the floral resources and hence firewood collection is not expected to be high.

Moreover, as the forest in the project vicinity and upland areas close to the project are considered rich in NTFP resources of higher value, the workforce and even the local could exploit these resources in free time to maximize the economic gains as the project site itself will provide them a market of high potential. Such activities again put pressure on the local floral diversity.

Activities like forest clearance and tree felling, noise from blasting, vibration created by blast and drill machine will impair habitat quality of the area and thus creates impacts on wildlife/biodiversity habitat in the area. These activities may create migration/displacement of individuals and population of animal and bird species leading to loss of biodiversity in the area. However, as mentioned before, the project is not clearing any concentrated forest area and the project’s infrastructures will be mostly located in areas where wildlife habitat quality was estimated to be low. Indeed, the fauna reported from the area are widely distributed in the upper hill forests and to be lower in the areas occupied by the project

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facilities.


Pressure on rare, endemic, endangered, threatened, and protected species of both flora and fauna due to project

Among the protected floral species reported in the area, Shorea robustaand Bombax ceiba with 576 number of trees with DBH 10 cm and above need to be removed.Some of the faunal species reported in the project area are included in CITES Appendix and IUCN Red List (Refer Table 5-27). Similarly, Due to the project activities like blasting, forest clearance, movement of heavy vehicles etc. these species may be disturbed and migrated for short interval in safer place. Additionally, these species may be affected by the encroachment of construction workers in the forest. Illegal hunting, poaching and harvesting of protected species may occur due to high mobility of people.

The impact will be direct in nature, high in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Disturbance on the movement of wildlife due to construction activities

Construction activities in the nearby forested areas may affect the mobility of wild animals. Construction works need the use of heavy equipment, drilling and blasting activities which will produce noise and vibrations. These disturbances will affect the normal mobility, feeding habits of wild animals and birds. Some of the wild animals are seasonal crop raiders of agricultural fields and orchard farm. The construction activity will disturb the movement of these wild animals and birds as these are noise sensitive.


Possibility of illegal felling of surrounding vegetation, trade of NTFPs, hunting and poaching of wildlife and trade of fisheries

Forest in the project vicinity and upland area is rich in NTFPs resources of medicinal and higher economic value. The project constructional workers are likely to involve in collection and illicit trade of such goods in local market and beyond. If such activities are not restricted, it will put pressure in surrounding forest and contribute to deterioration of the resource condition. Similarly, workers coming from outside the area may be attracted to hunt birds, wild animals and fishing activities during the construction period. Therefore, the labour force and cases of illegal hunting and poaching in the area and fishing activities in the Sankhuwa Khola, the Siswa Khola and the Arun River could not be neglected.


Possible impacts on surrounding CF and buffer zone area

The project development site at headworks and powerhouse will have the presence of a relatively large construction workforce both local as well as outsiders. On an average 500 people will be in the project site every day during the peak construction period. Traditionally for cooking and other heating purposes, firewood is used in Nepal. If no other alternatives are offered, the construction workers will also use the firewood for cooking. The obvious sources of the firewood are the local forests. The construction work force family or the local merchants/villagers are likely to cut the trees from the local forest to supplement the firewood requirement of the construction workforce.

Likewise, the non-workers gathered for economic opportunities will cut down trees to build residences, stalls and shades. This will put additional pressure on local forest resources.


Encroachment of nearby forest land/area

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The project, as far as possible, has minimized land acquisition of the forest areas and has plans and measures to ensure that there is no encroachment of the forest area by the construction workforce employed by the project.

Since the construction site is a place of high economic activity during the construction period, a large number of locals as well as outsiders will come to the construction area in the construction phase for economic gains. These people, who are not directly related to the project, however, could encroach the forest area located close to the construction site for various purposes.


Possible impact of forest fire

In and around the construction area, there will be many types of fuel that create fire hazards, such as slash accumulation of timber cutting, dryden grass and debris accumulation, large accumulation of flammable leaves, dead trees, dry bushes etc., as well as gasoline for vehicles and machinery. Fire might be set accidentally due to inadvertently thrown cigarette stub and left campfire or deliberately by some ruffian. Small fire can turn huge forest fire. Improper garbage disposal and improper storage of inflammable gases and liquids at the construction site can aggravate the situation.



Disturbance on aquatic habitat and obstruction to fish migration in flow reduced area

Impact due to creation of dewater section

The diversion structure in the operation phase will alter the exiting river morphology of Sankhuwa Khola. As the existing aquatic life co-exists with the undisturbed river morphology and natural flow regime, once in operation, there will be some level of disturbance in their lifecycle due to morphological changes and water conditions on the modified river stretches. As per the operational modality of the project, a maximum discharge of 15.68 m3/s (from June to October) and a minimum discharge of 4.69m3/s (in February) will be diverted for power generation. Changes in aquatic life are likely to occur mostly on the dewatered section especially from November to May every year. In these months, thewater in the dewatered section will come mainly from the environmental flow release from the diversion weir.

The other associated impacts due to the reduced flow will be the reduced capacity of self-regeneration, reduced recharge of ground-water aquifers and enhanced reduced organic load dilution rate and increased pollution levels. Hence, it will have direct impact on aquatic community. The fingerlings living in the downstream will be affected and the characteristics of spawning and rearing beds between intake and the powerhouse will deteriorate. Reduced flow in downstream may also result in a small rise in water temperature, which in turns could result in reduced dissolve oxygen. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen are the two parameters to which the fish species are the most sensitive.

Without any mitigation measures, the dewatered section of the Sankhuwa Khola to the confluence of the Arun River would likely to be devoid of majority of the existing aquatic life for nearly seven months in a year. However, after the confluence, the flow in the Arun River is high enough to maintain the existing aquatic life and community water requirements. Therefore, the expected long term aquatic habitat conversion will occur at the Sankhuwa Khola diversion (dewatered section).

Impact on fish migration due to construction of weir

The construction of 6 m high diversion weir in the Sankhuwa Khola will create obstacles on natural migration of fish species, Schizothorax richardsonii, Schizothorax progastus, Neolissochilus hexagonolepis and Anguilla bengalensis.Thus, if unmitigated, the construction of the dam will restrict the migration and reduce the population and diversity of the Sankhuwa Khola in the long run.

The impacts will be direct in nature, high in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

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Disturbance on movement of animals due to project features

Project features which lie in the forest area may block the occasional passage of wild animals. The presence of these structures may impact on the movement and habits of wildlife. At the headworks site, the construction of “run-of rover” type of diversion weir will create limited upstream inundation which may create limited problem for small size animal. The powerhouse and permanent camp being located in the agricultural land will have low impact on wildlife migration.


Pressure on protected species of flora and fauna

No activities affecting protected floral species will be carried out by the project during operation phase except for the fish species, which is already described in previous heading. However, for the economic or other reasons project staff and dependants may involve in illicit trade of protected floral and faunal species found in the area.

The impact will be indirect in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in duration.

Issue of on wildlife due to sudden release of water to the downstream during lean season

In hydropower project, water is released suddenly to downstream area to flush out the sediment load from settling basin especially during the wet season. During that period, the level of water will suddenly rise in the downstream areas. In such time, if wild and domesticated animals are using the dewater stretch they may be washed out and die.


Encroachment in nearby forest areas

Due to the infrastructure development and improvement of different facilities, local people may migrate from different parts to settle around the project area. In such scenario, encroachment of forest area for the settlement purposes may increase. During the settlement process, they may illegally cut the trees resulting further degradation of forest area.



As some protected animals with high economic value are also recorded in the nearby forest areas, there will be probability of illegal hunting of these animals by professional poachers and local people may be also influenced by the attraction of money. Forest in the project vicinity and upland area is rich in NTFPs resources of medicinal and higher economic value. The project operation staff and their dependent are likely to involve in collection and illicit trade of such goods in local market and beyond. Similarly, fishing activities in the Sankhuwa Khola, the Sisuwa Khola and the Arun Riverand trade in local markets could not be neglected during the operaion phase.


Table 6-7: Summary of Adverse Biological Environmental Impact

SN Impact Direct/Indirect

Magnitude

Extent Duration

Significance

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Impact








Pressure on rare, endemic, endangered, threatened, and protected species of both flora and fauna due to project activities

D H (60) Sp (10) St (05) 75 Highly significant




I M (20) L (20) St (05) 45 moderately significant


I Lo (10) L (20) St (05) 35 low significant


I Lo (10) L (20) St (05) 35 low significant


D Lo (10) L (20) St (05) 35 low significant

B Operation Phase


D H (60) L (20) Lt (20) 100 Hightly significant




I Lo (10) L (20) Lt (20) 50 moderately significant









6.2.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment


Loss of farm land and other category of land for site clearance

Private land loss will be due to the land acquisition from private landowners for the implementation of

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different project structures and facilities. Out of 7.202 ha of land required for the project permanently, a total of 1.965ha ofprivate land will be acquired permanently from 30 households. These directly affected households (30 HHs) who lose their assets due to project activities are termed as Project Affected Family (PAF). None of the affected households will be physically displaced from the project sites as all of the households have either some parcels of remaining land and residential structures in the project area or have parcels of remaining land.Most of the households (14 households) lose less than 5 % of their total land. Total 8 households will lose 5 to 20 % of land, 1 households will lose 30 to 40 % of total owned land. Land loss of PAF is presented in Table 6-8 and Appendix T.

Table6-8 Extent of loss of land by affected HH as a result of SKHP implementation

Category of Loss Number of HH Percentage of the total HH

Loss less than 5% of the total land owned 14 60.87

Loss of 5-20 % of the total land owned 8 34.78




Loss of more than 50% of the total land owned 0 0.00

Total 23 100

The loss may not be very significant in village and regional context but at the household level this lost is significant, particularly to those households who lost high percentages of their cultivated lands.

The impact will be direct in nature, high in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in duration.

The land required temporarily are the sites of construction camps and storage facilities totaling to 7.5 ha of land. The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Pressure on existing water supply systems

Existing drinking water supply system will face increased pressure due to demand from workforce concentrated in the project sites. Drinking water facilities are likely to be affected more.


Issue of occupational health and safety

The construction activities such as blasting, using heavy equipment and working in the river, tunnel and on steep slopes, may cause accidents and injuries. The most common injuries that might occur are due to accidental falls from scaffoldings or other structures, injuries due to falling objects such as rocks or other construction equipment, collapse of tunnel or other excavations, traffic accidents and drowning. The victims will most probably be construction worker although injuries to local people are also possible. Similarly, construction practice without use of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) like glove, boot and helmet results into the minor accidents. Health hazard may also occur due to gases emission while constructing tunnel. Work related injuries and vehicle accidents are the likely impacts predicted due to implementation of the proposed project.

The impact will be direct in nature, high in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Loss of farmland and issue of food security

Project will acquired 1.965 ha of agriculture land permanenty for the construction of different project structures. As per the local cropping patterns and productivity, about 2.1695Metric ton of paddy, about 2.493Metric ton of maize is expected to be reduced in the annual production due to the acquisition of

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agricultural land of project affected households. As agriculture is the predominant occupation of the PAFs, the decrease in agriculturalproduction due to loss of agricultural land will decrease their primary incomesource. Furthermore, it will generate additional pressure on their livelihood.


Loss of tree from private land

A total of 56 stands of trees of different species will be lost due to acquisition of private land (Table 6-9). The impact will be direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in duration.

Table 6-9: Loss of tree from private land

Local name of trees Scientific Name Number of tree loss

Badhar Artocarpus lakoocha 3

Kutmiro Litsea monopetala 3

Katar Artocarpus heterophyllus 1

Rudraksha Elaeocarpus ganitrus 35

Chilaune Schima wallichii 3

Khanyu Ficus semicordata 4

Khabro Ficus liquor 2

Nim Azadurachta indica 1

Aap Magnifera indica 2

Aamba Psidium guajava 2

Total 56


Pressure on existing infrastructures facilities such as road, drinking water, health post, education, health and sanitation

The construction of proposed hydroelectric project will take about three years, during which manpower will be required for various construction activities. It is estimated that a total of 500 persons including workers and technical staffs will be required during the peak construction period of the project. The influx of workers and job seekers into the project area could also put pressure on public facilities like road, drinking water, health post, education, health and sanitation in the project area. The workers, which will be migrating in the project area during construction, would cause certain demographic and social changes. Necessary infrastructure, though, would be developed in the worker’s camp area; however, the migrated workforce would put pressure on the existing and already poor infrastructures like the local water supply, health, schools and sanitation facilities, especially around the construction camps. This may generate conflicts among the existing and new users of the facilities and may give rise to dissatisfaction. They would also encroach into the natural resources being used by the locals.

The impact will be indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Sudden increase on economic activities (boom and boost effect)

The increased economic activities and sudden flow of cash as a result of project construction activities will have negative impacts on peoples’ behavior. Some undesirable events such as conflict between locals and new-comers, alcoholism, gambling and prostitution may happen as a result of sudden flow of cash. As a result of these undesirable events, chances of increased alcoholism and subsequent loss of peace is highly possibility. Large volume of cash flow is likely to escalate the price of commodities whose affect is likely to be greater to the locals than the newcomers. Despite some of these negative impacts, the generation of local employment opportunities during the construction phase will act as a catalyst to stimulate the local economy. Increased incomes in the area will encourage the formation and growth of local businesses, which will in turn create new indirect employment opportunities. Similarly, the availability of cash from employment and provision of goods and services will result in

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opportunities for investment. As a result new shops, hotels and residential structures will be established to meet the demand of the construction related population for essential commodities.


Interference on cultural and traditional practices of the local people due to increased outside project staff and workers

Another socio-cultural impact in the project area during construction will be an overall disruption of the traditional cultural ways of people living in and near the project area. Disruption of social life will also be caused by the presence of the construction workforce and an anticipated influx of job seekers during construction period of the project. For example, it is likely that the influx of construction workers will result in increased cases of inter-caste marriages locally. Eventually, some changes in ethnic and community solidarity and occupational patterns can be expected in the area. It is also likely that the construction workers, contractors and engineers and their families, would interact with the local people that could expose them to wide range of information opinions and ideas outside of their areas. Thus, the project will have some impacts on social, cultural and religious features of the project areas. These impacts are expected to be direct, low in magnitude, local in extent and of both short and long term.

Issue of women and Children

Due to the anticipated involvement of male members in construction activities, the women of the project area may be burdened with roles that are in addition to their traditional roles of mothers (child rearing, child bearing), producers (work done for payment, home production) and community managers (activities undertaken by women at the community level). On the other hand, the steady income earned by the male members will, to some degree, reduce the financial burden on the women. The extra income generating capacity of male members, however, could increase the consumption of alcohol and further aggravate the plight of women. Women and children suffer most from the lack of infrastructure and services such as sanitation, disposal, water supply and electrification. And lack of communal spaces for social activities, affects women for particular reasons. Poor school facilities and conditions impact on the workforce society as a whole. Nonetheless, children and youth suffer from overcrowding in the home and school in very direct ways. Lack of facilities makes both learning and teaching difficult.


Issues of law and order in the project area due to large work force

There will be possibilities of conflict of interest between the workers and project management and among workers and between outside workers and local communities in various issues including employment opportunity, wage rate and project benefits etc. The influx of large number of people with different social and cultural backgrounds and the sudden inflow of cash at the same time can result in social problems in the area. Constructions workers tend to be separated from families, work long hours laboriously, and consequently develop a subculture, which may manifest itself in behaviors that are often disapproved by the local community. These perceived antisocial behaviors could be exacerbated by alcohol consumption, gambling among workers and local youths. Likewise, demand and establishment of prostitution (illegal) during construction phase is also a possibility.

Local residents may experience increases in price for housing and local services, and community infrastructure may become over-stretched in order to cope with the influx of workers. There could be increased uncertainty about future, and a change in residents' feeling about their community. There will be division between haves and haves not. These impacts may lead to resentment and friction among the local residents, incoming workers, and other newcomers who are attracted because of the project.The impact will be indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.

Issues of STD due to outside workforces

The issue of sexually transmitted diseases and community health is related to the outside workforce. The outside workforce may introduce transmissible disease of unknown nature to the communities.

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The mixing of the outside workforce sexually with the local community individuals may also increase the risks of STD and AIDS/HIV in the community.

The impact will be indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Issue of private infrastructures and common property resources due to blasting, and use of heavy equipments

Discribed in physical environment section under the heading Issue due to the blasting and use of heavy equipments.

Issue of water use right

Construction of the weir and side intake on the river will require keeping the working area dry during the construction period. For the diversion of the flow, a cofferdam will be constructed. First of all the cofferdam will be constructed at the right bank of the Sankhuwa Khola and then after completion of right bank construction work, again construction of left portion will be started. There will be regular water flow to downstream through the half portion of river during the construction stage. Hence the existing water use right of down stream people will not be impacted.

Issue of fishing community

Project activities in the riverbed like excavation of the weir foundation or construction of the settling basin may increase sediment, especially during the dry period, which in turn may increase water turbidity and somehow affect the fish species in the Sankhuwa Khola.The communities living close to the river usually go for recreational fishing. The collected fish is used for household consumption and selling within the community if the catch is surplus.Based on the discussion with the local communities, there are no professional (fulltime) fishermen along the dewatering stretch of the SankhuwaKhola. Impact on fishing community during the construction phase will bedirect in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Issue of people movement

Many heavy types of equipment will be required for constructing the project structures. These equipment will be carried to the construction area through the existing roads and foot trails. This may exert pressure on the existing roads and foot trails resulting in blockages and difficulties in access.

The impact will be indirect in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Loss of archaeological, religious and culturally important sites

No specific archaeological, historical sites of national and international importance were identified in the project areas. Only one case that came to be noticed in the field visit is the case of a Devithan. It is located at headworks area in Siktemtar ofSilichong-1. The impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration.

Photo 6-1: Devithan located at Siktemtar

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6.2.3.2 Operation phase

Issue of agricultural productions loss and local economy

As per the local cropping patterns and productivity, about 4.339 Metric ton of paddy, about 4.986 Metric ton of maize is expected to be reduced in the annual production due to the permanent acquisition of agricultural land of project affected households. As agriculture is the predominant occupation of the PAFs, the decrease in agriculturalproduction due to loss of agricultural land will decrease their primary incomesource. Furthermore, it will generate additional pressure on their livelihood.


Existing water use right

Diversion works across the river will automatically reduce the flow tothe downstream areas. People downstream use the water for various purposes like bathing, washing clothes, recreation etc. At present, the the water of the Sankhuwa Khola from headworks to the confluence of the Sankhuwa-Arun river has not been used for any consumptive purpose like drinking water supply, watter mills, micro hydro and irrigation. However, one micro hydro (Sankhuwa Khola micro-hydro project) has been proposed just upstream of the Sankhuwa-Arun river at Salpasilicho RM, ward no.1. As per the discussion with the developer, diversion of about 400lps of water from the Sankhuwa Khola has been planned for the micro hydro. Considering the future planned projects, the impact will be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in duration.

Safety on movement of people due to sudden change release of water in downstream of settling basin

Water will be released to down stream to flush out the sediments of settling basin especially during the wet season. During that period, the level of water will suddenly rise in the downstream areas. In such time, if local people are using the dewater stretch they may be washed out and die.


Loss of water sources

Discribed in physical environment section under the section issue due to drying up of water sources in headworks, powerhouse and tunnel alignment.

Recession of local economy due to withdrawal of construction work

After the completion of the project many economic activities and opportunities will be withdrawn. Consequently, market areas, houses, hotels, etc. may also get deserted if other economic activities do not fill in the economic activities that prevailed during the construction phase. The reduction in economic activities and associated income will have some impact on local people. The withdrawal or decrease in economic activity during operation and maintenance may affect the lifestyle of the local people. Local people are habitual of more earning and expenses are raise as increase in economic condition of the people during construction period.The impact will be indirect in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.


Diversion of the Sankhuwa Khola will have effects on riverine fish resources of the Sankhuwa Khola from the headworks to the confluence with the Arun River. The communities living close to the river usually go for fishing when they are free from the agricultural works. This is a sort of recreational fishing. The collected fish is used for household consumption and selling within the community if the catch is surplus.Based on the discussion with the local communities, there are no professional (fulltime) fishermen along the dewatering stretch of the SankhuwaKhola. Some impacts are expected with the reduction of river flow during the dry season, and considering the options people have, the impactwill be direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.

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Table 6-10: Summary of Adverse Socio-economic and Cultural Environmental Impact

SN

Impact Direct/Indirect Impact

Magnitude

Extent

Duration

Significance



D H (60) Sp (10) Lt (20) 90 Highly significant




D H (60) Sp (10) St (05) 75 Highly significant


D M (20) Sp (10) Lt (20) 50 Moderately significant


D Lo (10) Sp (10) Lt (20) 40 Low significant


I M (20) Sp (10) St (05) 35 Low significant












D M (20) Sp (10) St (05) 35 Low significant

Issue of water use right

D Lo (10) Sp (10) St (05) 25 Low significant


D Lo (10) L (20) St (05) 35 Low significant


D Lo (10) Sp (10) St (05) 35 Low significant


D M (20) Sp (10) St (05) 35 Low significant

B Operation Phase


D M (20) L (20) Lt (20) 60 Moderately significant

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I Lo (10) L (20) Lt (20) 50 Moderately significant

Issue of fishing community D M (20) L (20) Lt (20) 60 Moderately significant



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CHAPTER 7

ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS

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7 ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS

This chapter describes the various project alternatives considered for Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP). The best alternative chosen from the alternative analysis is recommended for further study.

7.1 No Action Option Water is regarded as one of the important natural resource of Nepal, which represents a source of potential wealth. The regular water flow and steep gradient of these rivers provide the great potential of hydro-electric power development in the country. However, this is not the case here in the country. Majority of Nepali population are still beyond the reach of electricity. Reliable and quality energy is the pre-requisite not only for the overall economic growth of the nation but personal growth is also dependent over the reach of this resource. The annual peak demand of the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS) in fiscal year 2016/17 was 6257.73 (NEA, 2017). At present, the supply deficit has been managed by import from India. Further, it is estimated that the country will need 2552 MW of energy by year 2020 (NEA 2009 cited in WECS 2010). Out of the power actually supplied in the fiscal year 2016/17, 2305.45GWh was contributed by NEA hydro and thermal, 1717.24 GWh by Independent Power Producer (IPP) hydro and the rest 2175.04GWh was import from India.

The proposed SKHP will contribute 41.06MW of electricity to the country. Thus, the electricity generated after the implementation of SKHP will have a significant contribution to the national grid of Nepal. Not implementing the project would deprive the additional power to the National Grid, particularly during the dry season, and the existing power shortage will continue until appropriate permanent solutions are identified and implemented. Thus, the project is a necessity of the country.

This alternative prevents the implementation of the proposal. Similarly, 'No Action Option' means the non-use of potential power generation, loss of job opportunity, continuation on power shortage, and also depriving of the other economic benefit due to the project implementation. In a country where unemployment is very high and clean energy is in shortage, do nothing scenario is a regressive approach and is very difficult to accept.

7.2 Implementation of SKHP There are limited alternatives that can replace the advantages provided by large RoR type projects like SKHP. Furthermore, the project is strategically important and the implementation of this project may help in reducing regional disparity. It will also provide opportunities for further development of the region such as rural electrification, industrialization and employment opportunities. The implementation of this project would also help people to boost the local economy in particular and would add a substantial amount of energy to the national grid and in general help strengthen the national economy. Implementation of the project will be able to contribute more electricity to the National Grid line and reliable electricity services to the local community. Additionally, SKHPwill also provide royalties to the concerned state and concerned local level, a part of which could also be utilized for local development. Similarly, local people will also get employment opportunities and also business opportunities can be enhanced during the construction and operation phase.

Some of the major adverse environmental impacts associated with the project implementation are: loss of agriculture land; landslide and erosion; loss of trees; and obstruction to fish migration. However, these impacts can be mitigated through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures suggested in this EIA report.

The project is very sensitive on minimising environmental impacts. The project planning has analyzed various alternatives of project layouts and activities. While selecting sites for different activities, due consideration has been given to the environmental impacts and their environmental management. The project has developed an environmental management plan for the construction and operation periods giving due recognition to the environmental aspects of the area.

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7.3 No forest area alternative Generally, hydropower projects are constructed in water bodies located near forests in rural parts of the country therefore some encroachment of forest area is generally unavoidable for the construction of hydropower projects.

The implementation of the SKHP without acquisition of any forest area is merely impossible and to consider a no forest area option will be similar to 'No Action Option'. The construction of project requires altogether 3.104 ha of forest area at different locations.

7.4 Alternatives to project location Due to the proposal of the other project upstream (i.e. Sankhuwa Khola-1 Hydropower Project) of the current project area, limits the opportunity to seek the project site alternative for this project.

The headworks area is located at Siktimtar in Silichong Rural Muncipality of Sankhuwasabha district. The powerhouse area is located at Bumling in Salpachilichho Rural Municipality of Bhojpur district. The selection of location for diversion structure has been chosen based on the availability of area for constructing gravel trap, settling basin and tunnel inlet portal. Considering all these factors, the most appropriate weir location is found to be at about 100 m downstream from the confluence of Sisuwa and Sankhuwa Khola and powerhouse is proposed in the cultivated fields of Arun Valley in Bumling on the right bank of Arun River. The location of the powerhouse has been determined ensuring that it is free from the risk of flooding that can arise in Arun River during high flow period. Also, the powerhouse location is free from the risk of landslides and rockfall.

7.5 Alternatives to project layouts During the feasibility study, various alternative layout options for the project are studied. Depending upon the location of headworks, waterway alignments and powerhouse locations, 4 alternative options are analyzed. The options studied are verified during the site visit.

The alternative studies with four different project layouts as shown in Figure 7-1 are appraised based on two different locations of headworks and two different location of powerhouse.

However, Cascade to the Sankhuwa-1 Hydropower Project (SK1HP) envisaged during the Inception Study is not considered in the alternative analysis of the project at this stage deeming following conditions:

Upstream project must be constructed simultaneously with SKHPP, preferably by the same developer to have optimum operation of both projects.

Cost of headwork at Sisuwa and the waterway from tailrace of SK1HP would be massive in comparison to other options without significantly increasing the energy generation.

The coordinate boundaries of the two projects exclude a stretch of about 600m long between them.

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Figure 7-1: Layout Configuration of all alternatives

Basis of Project Layout Alternative Analysis

Alternative analysis was carried out on the basis of following findings and considerations:

The layouts of all the alternatives were done in the topographic map and survey in 1:500 scales.

Weir Type: As the project is of RoR type, the weir necessary only for diversion purposes is designed. Since the river consists of a lot of good quality boulders, a boulder-lined weir with a bed load undersluice is proposed at this stage. Weir with a flat upstream slope of about 1 in 4 may be a suitable design to pass the bedload over the weir. A conventional concrete gravity weir with stilling basin for energy dissipation and undersluice for bed load flushing is another option for the diversion weir, however looking at morphology of the river and the cost it would incur in comparison to boulder lined weir, it is not suggested.

Headrace Tunnel: Majority of tunnel alignment will pass through weak rock mass (schist). In addition to that, about 150m thick shear/weak zone is observed during site visit and a saddle is formed by this shear zone. There may be more shear/weak zones and steep faults indicated by morphological features. Weak zones will create major geo risks like overbreak, water ingress, flowing ground, rock squeezing etc. during tunnel excavation and hence shear/weak zones will be identified by subsurface investigation (Geophysical investigation (ERT)).

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Sediment Removal Options: For Sediment removal, provision of gravel traps and settling basin is proposed on flat area located on right bank. Sufficient gradient is also available for the conventional gravity flushing system through the settling basin outlet area.

Headrace tunnel optimization is carried out taking into consideration of the rock support design based on preliminary geological mapping.

Penstock Optimization is carried out taking into consideration of rock support of vertical shaft and pressure tunnel based on preliminary geological mapping along with preliminary sizing of civil structures related to surface penstock option.

The dimensions of the surge tank are based on the surge analysis. The dimensions of Powerhouse is based preliminary design based on IS12800(Part 1):1993 Quantity estimate of all the structure are based on the preliminary structural optimization. Regarding civil works, the cost estimate for civil works is based on unit rates developed

from prevailing labour rates, construction equipment rates and construction materials rates taking into account the district rates and site conditions.

Four alternative layouts envisaged during the study are explained separately in following sections.

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7.5.1 Alternative Option 1

This layout option as shown in Figure 7-2 utilizes the maximum possible head within the coordinate boundary. Headwork is located at about 100 m downstream of the confluence of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa khola. With a gross head of 302 m, this option utilizes the design discharge of 15.17 m3/s and the installed capacity of the project with this layout is 38.78 MW.

Figure 7-2: Alternative layout 1 of SKHP

Headworks

The location of headworks was proposed during the inception phase of the feasibility study. The field visit verified the location.

The proposed headworks option is located about 100m downstream of the confluence of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa Khola near Budhabare. It would be more desirable to locate weir slightly more downstream to avoid the possible turbulence that would be created by the confluence in the intake area but it is seen that the river bifurcates after a few metres during monsoon and has created a secondary channel. Hence, the location of placing the weir axis is limited and the weir is designed so that the construction works will not significantly affect the existing river flow. The Headworks structures will most likely be founded on alluvial river deposits. On the left bank of the proposed weir axis, there is a terrace consisting of alluvial deposits, about 10m high. The right bank is a flat area consisting of the same material and has enough space for the construction of intake, gravel trap and settling basin.

Headrace culvert- immediately after the headpond, of about 650m length follows the foot of the cliff upto Inlet Portal near Siktemtar. The hill slope at the proposed inlet portal area is a steep rock slope

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consisting of good quality Granite which is reasonably good location for the construction of the headrace tunnel inlet portal.

Headrace Tunnel

The HRT in this option has a finished diameter of 4.0m and a total length of about 4615m. The inlet portal is situated at the right side of the river at Siktemtar and the inlet invert level is at 659.9 masl. The outlet invert portal of this tunnel option lies at an elevation of about 642.50 masl and consists of embedded penstock. This option was envisaged during the field study so that the powerhouse could be proposed about 1200m downstream of the confluence of Sankhuwa and Arun River. There is bedrock exposed on the south facing slope near the outlet portal and area is covered by rock cliff of gneiss. Rock mass in this location is open jointed slightly weathered rock mass.

Taking length of adit tunnel into the consideration, this tunnel option is also the shortest and the straightest option. The geological condition of this area will be further studied during the field investigation program.

Adit Tunnel

Although the headrace tunnel option is less than 5km long, an audit tunnel of 4 m diameter is proposed to expedite the underground construction works. The proposed adit tunnel portal is located near Kanduwa which lies close to the District boundary between Bhojpur and Sankhuwasabha.

The adit tunnel does not divide the tunnel into two equal stretches; however this seems like the only option because no other possible location was seen during the desk study and field visit. The approximate length of proposed adit tunnel is 435.0m.

Surge Shaft

During the field visit, the possible outlet portal and surge shaft locations were visited to observe the topographical and geological conditions which have been described in the previous section. At this stage of study, the diameter of surge shaft has been designed as 6 m. From surge analysis, the minimum downsurge elevation is 652.9 masl and the maximum upsurge elevation is 684.05 masl. Along with 5.0m freeboard and 6m submergence, the total height of surge shaft is taken as 42m.The geological condition of the location of surge shaft consists of good quality rock with few meters of deposit at its top level.

Penstock

The penstock alignment was decided after topographic survey and geological study and verified during site visit. An economic analysis of the pipe diameter was carried out to determine the optimum sizes. The optimized diameter was calculated as 2.10m. For this layout option, the penstock alignment consist of the combination of 89m long embedded penstock and 838m long surface portion. The embedded portion of the penstock is 30cm concrete lining and 10cm shotcrete support for the embedded portion of the penstock is proposed.

Powerhouse

The powerhouse is proposed on the right bank of Arun River in a cultivated terrace at an elevation of about 367.5masl. In this area, the Arun River is about nearly 60m wide and about 12.50m below the terraced land and follows a straight course. There is enough space available for the construction of permanent structures as well as for temporary use during construction. The dimension of proposed powerhouse for each option is about 41.0m long length and 13.80m long breadth and 28.50m height.

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This layout option (Figure 7-3) has almost same layout as option 1 except for the penstock alignment. The location of headwork and powerhouse is same as the option 1; however the penstock immediately after the surge shaft follows the underground route upto Powerhouse which consist of a vertical shaft of about 119 m, embedded penstock pipe of about 452 m and another 420 m of surface penstock pipe upto powerhouse. This option has same gross head as option 1 and generates the energy almost same as the option 1. The physical parameters of this option in comparison to other option are tabulated in Table 7-1.


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This layout option (Figure 7-4)was envisaged during the field visit. As the left bank of the Arun river had an ideal location for powerhouse and without significantly increasing the waterway length, extra head of 13 m could be gained simply by shifting the powerhouse downstream. As the proposed powerhouse location lies beyond the coordinate boundary, it is recommended to extend the project boundary. With a gross head of 315.92 m, this option utilizes the design discharge of 15.68 m3/s and the installed capacity of project with this layout alternative is 41.06 MW.


Headworks

Headwork’s location for this option is the same as option 1 and 2 as discussed earlier, but the weir axis length is 42 m.

Headrace Tunnel

The HRT option has a finished diameter of 4.0 m and a total length of about 4576m. The inlet portal is situated at the right side of the river at Siktemtar and the inlet invert level is at 646.80 masl. The outlet invert portal of this tunnel option lies at an elevation of about 479.48 masl and consists of embedded penstock.

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Adit Tunnel

To expedite the underground construction works, two adit tunnels are proposed. The first adit tunnel starts from elevation of 648 masl and meets the HRT at a chainage of 1+600 m from inlet portal. The second adit tunnel acts as an access tunnel for the excavation of surge shaft and starts its invert level from 642.35 masl.

Although the location of adit tunnel does not divide the tunnel into two equal stretches, this seems like the only option because no other possible location was seen during the desk study and field visit. The approximate length of this tunnel is 744m.

Surge Shaft

Through the feasibility study, the diameter of surge shaft has been designed as 6 m. From surge analysis, the minimum downsurge elevation is 652.36 masl and the maximum upsurge elevation is 684.39 masl. Considering the exposure of surge shaft on the surface and additional7m submergence, the total height of surge shaft is taken as 66m.The geological condition of the location of surge shaft consists of good quality rock with few meters of deposit at its top level.

Penstock

The proposed alignment consist of 32 m long horizontal embedded penstock followed by 120 m long vertical shaft, 479 m long inclined embedded penstock and 369 m long surface penstock. The penstock will be embedded in a minimum of 200 mm of concrete on all sides within a tunnel of cross-sectional area 4.52 m2. A 350 mm thick reinforced concrete (RC) lining will be adopted in the headrace portion between surge shaft and penstock. The steel penstock pipe will be welded in sections and concreted inside the tunnel. The diameter of main pressure shaft is 2000 mm. The diameter of bifurcation pipes is 1.5m.

Powerhouse

The powerhouse for this layout is also proposed on the right bank of Arun River with tailrace elevation of about 354.08 masl. In this area, the Arun River is about 100m wide and about 10m below the terraced land. The River has a mild gradient in this stretch. It increases the gross head of the project without increasing much waterway length. In this option also, there is enough space available for the construction of permanent structures as well as for temporary use during construction.

The powerhouse consists of 2 units of Francis turbine with 93% efficiency. The dimensions for powerhouse is 30m (l) * 14.6m (w) *31m (h).

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Headwork is located at about 650 m downstream of the confluence of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa khola near Siktemtar. This option (Figure 7-5) was studied so as to minimize the cost of extra protection works for headworks, however it sacrifices the head of almost 24 m in the process. It also demands for massive excavation for the Headwork structures like settling basin and approach canal. The gross head is 292 m and this option utilizes the design discharge of 15.17 m3/s. The installed capacity of the project with this layout alternative is 36.7 MW.


Headworks

The location of headworks was proposed during the field visit carried out for the verification of alternative layouts. The proposed headworks option is located about 650m downstream of the confluence of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa Khola near Siktemtar. The Headworks structures will most likely be founded on alluvial river deposits. On the left bank of the proposed weir axis, there is a terrace consisting of alluvial deposits, about 10m high.

However the right bank is a terrace of about 15 m high consisting of the same material and has enough space for the construction of intake, gravel trap and settling basin with massive excavation for the structures.

Headrace culvert- immediately after the headpond, of about 140m length follows the foot of the cliff upto Inlet Portal near Siktemtar.

Headrace Tunnel, Adit Tunnel, Surge Shaft

Same as option 3

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Penstock

The penstock alignment consists of the combination of 190.5 m long vertical shaft, 734.3 m long horizontal embedded portion and 164.4 m long surface portion. The optimized diameter for this option is 2m along with concrete and shotcrete support for the underground portion of the penstock.

The main pressure shaft is trifurcated to pipes of 1.5m diameter to discharge water to the turbine.

Powerhouse

The powerhouse for this layout is also proposed on the right bank of Arun River with tailrace elevation of about 354.85 masl. In this area, the Arun River is about 100m wide and about 10m below the terraced land. The River has a mild gradient in this stretch here. It increases the gross head of the project without increasing much waterway length. In this option also, there is enough space available for the construction of permanent structures as well as for temporary use during construction.

The powerhouse consists of 3 units of Francis turbine with 90% efficiency. The dimensions for powerhouse is 41m (l) * 20.15m (w) *25.8m (h).

Comparison of all Options

The comparison of all option regarding its arrangement and sizing is summarized in table below.

Table 7-1: Comparison of all options

DESCRIPTIONS OPTION I OPTION II OPTION III OPTION IV

Layout Synopsis

HW-100m D/S of confluence




PH- within Project Boundary

PH- within Project Boundary

PH- in extended Project Boundary

PH- in extended Project Boundary

Design flow (Q40), m3/s 15.68 15.68 15.68 15.68

Gross Head, m 302 302 315.92 292

Installed capacity, MW 39.48 39.34 41.06 37.732

WEIR AND UNDERSLUICE

Weir Crest Length 44 m 44 m 42 m 40 m

Weir crest level, masl 670 670 670 647

INTAKE

No of Orifice 4 4 4 4

Orifice Size(hxb), m 2.8 x 2.4 2.8 x 2.4 2.5 x 2.5 2.8 x 2.4

GRAVEL TRAP

No of Gravel traps 2 2 2 2

Gravel Trap size(lxb), m 4.2 x 5.5 4.2 x 5.5 5.75 x 4.2 4.2 x 5.5

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APPROACH CANAL/CULVERT

Length 29+35m 29+35m 104.98m 64+35m

Dimensions (b x h), m 3m x 3m

SETTLING BASIN (SURFACE)

Settling Basin units 4 4 4 4

Size(LxBxH), m 60 x 8 x 7.8 60 x 8 x 7.8 60 x 8 x 7.8 60 x 8 x 7.8

HEADRACE CULVERT/PIPE

Length 646 m 646 m 623 m 140 m

Dimensions 3m x 3m 3m x 3m 2.8m dia 3m x 3m

HEADRACE TUNNEL

Tunnel Length 4605 m 4605 m 4576 m 4576 m

Diameter of the HR tunnel, m 4 m 4 m 4 m 4 m

SURGE SHAFT

Diameter of the surge shaft, m 6 6 6 6

Height, m 43 43 66 66

PENSTOCK

Diameter of penstock, m 2.1 2.1 2 2

Vertical Shaft portion 0 119 120 190

Underground horizontal/inclined portion (Embedded)

89 552 511 735

Surface portion 838 420 369 165

TOTAL LENGTH 927 1091 1000 1090

POWERHOUSE (SURFACE)

Length, m 41 41 30 44

Breadth, m 20 20 14.6 20

No. of machine units 3 3 2 2

Turbine type and configuration Francis,vertical axis

Francis,vertical axis



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Tail water level 367.48 masl 367.48 masl 354.08 masl 354.85 masl

TAILRACE

Total Length, m 148.5 148.5 87.7 143.0

Breadth, m 4.5 4.5 3.5 4.5

Height, m 2.4 2.4 3.3 2.4

7.6 Financial Analysis of all Options For the appraisal of the best alternative layout, a financial evaluation was carried out for all the alternatives. The separate energy estimate is done for all the alternatives. The economic indicators were calculated on the basis of NRs.4.8 per kWh for wet season energy and NRs. 8.4 per kWh for dry season energy.

Table 7-2: Financial Analysis Summary of All Alternatives

Alternative option III is better than other options and is recommended for the further investigation and study during the feasibility study.

SN Description of Item OPTION I OPTION II OPTION III OPTION IV

1 Installed Capacity (MW) 39.48 39.34 41.06 37.732

2 Annual Energy (GWh) 224.55 223.97 233.92 215.34

3 Dry Season Energy (GWh) 67.65 67.60 70.69 65.28

4 Wet Season Energy (GWh) 156.90 156.37 163.23 150.06

5 Interest Rate 10% 10% 10% 10%

6 Discount Rate 10% 10% 10% 10%

Results

7 Net Present Value (NPV), MNRs. 1,894 1,866 2,039 1,845

8 B/C Ratio 1.41 1.40 1.73 1.41

9 Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) 14.16% 14.00% 15.43% 14.10%

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7.7 Conclusion and Recommendation The alternatives were examined for different headworks locations, Headrace tunnel alignments and Powerhouse locations. The headworks of Options I, Option II and Option III was proposed 100 m downstream of Sankhuwa Sisuwa confluence near Budhabare. Whereas, Option IV was proposed at Sikmetar, 650 m downstream of confluence of Sankhuwa and Sisuwa Khola.

The inlet portal of the headrace tunnel is proposed on the same location for all the alternatives. For Option 1 and Option II, the length of HRT was proposed as 4615 m, Option II has almost the same except for the Penstock alignment. Whereas, for Option III and Option IV, the length of HRT was 4576 and 4488 mrespectively and its outlet portal location was proposed further south of both the options at Lukuwa forest. The tunnel alignment for this option is the shortest and the straightest amongst the alternatives.

The powerhouse location for all the alternatives is proposed on the right bank of Arun River in a cultivated terrace about 10 m above the Arun River. The powerhouse of Option I and Option II is located at an elevation of 367.5 masl. Whereas, for Option III and Option IV, the powerhouse was proposed at an elevation of 354.08 and 354.85 masl respectively, at a place where Arun River is 100 m wide and has a milder gradient. The proposed location is 900 m downstream of the suspension bridge at Arun River and just upstream of a seasonal stream originating from Lukuwa Forest.

After carefully analyzing the all the options, Option III was proposed for further study with regards to the geological and energy consideration. With shorter HRT and the outlet portal location on Gneiss exposed surface, the geological condition is fairly good for Option III. Also, due to the location of the powerhouse, the gross head for this option was more than the other proposed options, hence this option generates more energy.

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CHAPTER 8

ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATIONMEASURES

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8 ENHANCEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES

This chapter details the environmental enhancement measures to maximize the benefit of the beneficial impacts and environmental mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate the adverse environmental impacts of the project. The project developer ensures to implement the enhancement and mitigation measures detailed in the section below as its primary responsibility. The proponent understands that any additional measures required to avoid, minimize and compensate the adverse environmental effect unforeseen in this section is also its responsibility.

8.1 Enhancement Measure The environmental enhancement measures designed for implementation by the project has an objective to enhance the overall socio-economic and natural environmental status of the project affected areas. The programs, in the long term, are envisaged to facilitate the project operation activities vis a vis maintain the relationship with the communities of the project affected areas. The project proponent will implement the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures as a prime responsibility.

8.1.1 Construction Phase


Project will take following enhancement measures to optimize the effectiveness of these impacts:

The project will include a binding clause in the contractor's agreement to give priority to the local people of the project affected Wards for employment;

Poor and disadvantaged people will be given high priority for employment in the project;

Project information will be disseminated through pamphlets and other printed materials regularly so that rural villagers can have the chance to know about the project and will be attracted to work with it;

Project will give necessary training to the newly employed workers depending upon their skills and the nature of the work offered.


Following measures will be taken for improving the public facilities:

The project will give high priority for the maintenance of existing infrastructure like health posts, schools and water supply systems;

Funds will be allocated by the project for the improvement of these public facilities.


Project will take following enhancement measures to optimize the effectiveness of the impact: Conduct trainings on Dairy products, Poultry products, Livestock farming, Furniture making

and handicrafts production (5 Trainings @ 100,000 = 500,000)


Project will provide necessary training to the newly employed workers depending upon their skills and the nature of the work offered.

8.1.2 Operation Phase


Project will take following enhancement measures to optimize the effectiveness of the impact:

The project will give priority to the local people of the project affected areas for employment;

Poor and disadvantaged people will be given high priority for employment in the project;

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Project will take following enhancement measures to optimize the effectiveness of the impact:

Local people will be encouraged to establish local enterprises and small cottage industries which use local raw materials;

Local people will be encouraged to establish businessthat supplyes groceries and equipment needs of the project


The revenue or royalty paid by the SKHP will play a vital role in the overall development of the project area. Furthermore, the conserned local level will also be encouraged to invest in different sectors like education, sanitation, road and other basic infrastructure facilities due to the additional funding available from the royalty.


Following measure will be taken for reliable electricity supply:

The project will give its best effort to provide electricity in rural areas.

8.2 Community Support Program (CSP) As per the “Rastriya Urja Sankat Niwaran Tatha Biddhut Bikash Dashak Sambandhi Awadharana Patra, 2072”, 0.75% i.e. NRs. 49,392,908 of the total project cost has been allocated for Community Support Program (CSP). The project has suggested the following sectors for the uptimum utilization of CSP cost for overall community development of the project area:

8.2.1 Education Support

The project suggest to provide financial support to local education sector. Support shallbe provided to those schools which are located near to the project construction sites. Support shallbe provided for the establishment of library, widening of playground, educational materials including sports, and other physical facilities.

8.2.2 Health Sector Support

Physical facility of existing health posts located in the project affected wards are poor in terms of infrastructure and service delivery. There is a need of strengthening existing physical facilities. Hence, the project suggest to provide financial support for strengthening the existing health posts of the project affected wards.

8.2.3 Drinking water support

The project suggest to provide financial support for strengthening the community-level water supply facilities in each project affected Wards which already exist in the settlements of the project affected area.

8.2.4 Irrigation Support

The project suggest to provide support for strengthening the community-level irrigation facilities in project affected area.

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8.2.5 Conservation of Local Forest and Biodiversity

The project suggest to provide financial support to local Forest User’s Groupin coordination with DFO and DNPWC to pursue afforestation in degraded land and conservation of biodiversity in the project area.

8.3 MitigationMeasure 8.3.1 Physical Environment



For the construction of the project, acquisition of land is unavoidable. Following measures will be carried out to minimize the impact:

Due consideration will be given to avoid use of good forest, fertile land, settlement areas for the establishment of labour camp, quarry sites, construction material stockpiling area including other permanent project features;

Appropriate compensation will be provided for families who will loose their land. Detail is presented in socio-economic and cultural impact part.

Temporarily acquisited land will be leased for construction period and it will be rehabilitated and brought to its original status, after the completion of construction work, to the extent possible.

Losses of forest area will be compensated as per the prevailing law. As per the Work Procedure Regarding Use of National Forest Area for Projects of National Priority, 2074, the project will develop a plantation site.

All the muck will be disposed in designated areas.


All spent grease, diesel and Mobil and unused or date expired toxic chemicals will be collected separately in plastic drums and stored in a safe place under the shade. The contractor will be made responsible for this.

All empty containers of grease, diesel Mobil, and toxic chemicals will be squeezed and stored in a safe place under the shade. The contractor will be made responsible for this.

Unused chemicals, dieselspent Mobil; grease will be discharged only after approval of the project environmental officer and his/her recommendation. Project area does not have a sanitary landfill in the nearby locality. The environmental officer in coordination with the contractor will identify some secured sites or will arrange disposal in sanitary landfill elsewhere depending upon the volume and toxicity of the waste. The contractor will be made responsible for this through contractual clauses.

Petroleum bunkers are placed in a separate, concrete bunded area with a facility of oil and grease separator. The contractor will be made responsible for this.

Wastewater from the mechanical yards will be collected in a separate area. The water will be treated for the oil and grease and then released into the water bodies. The contractor will be made responsible for the required treatment arrangements.


The following mitigation measures will be followed to address the impact on water quality:

During construction works of weir foundation, construction waste such as cement, and concrete slurry will not be discharged to the river water. Arrangement will be made to collect the unused waste materials for disposal in the designated muck/spoil disposal sites.

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The following mitigation measures will be followed to address the impact on air quality:

The earthen and graveled road corridors will be water sprinkled regularly to minimize the particulates concentrations from the plying of the construction and project vehicles particularly in the winter and dry summer season. The contractor will be made responsible to sprinkle water regularly on the road corridors in between the Headworks and Powerhouse site, and to places where the need be.

The aggregate crushing sites and active construction sites will also be sprinkled regularly by water as required. The contactor will be made responsible contractually for water sprinkling.

The occupational workers at the construction sites, engineers and supervisors will be provided with air masks, helmets, and safety goggles. The contractors will be made responsible to provide the above mentioned personal protective gears contractually. Further, it will be mandated that all the workers and engineers will have to wear these gears inside the construction sites to minimise the health impacts of the fugitive dusts and head safety.

Powerful ventilators will be installed for ventilating the tunnel area for which the contractor will be made responsible contractually. The ventilators will be operated 24 hours a day during excavation and lining periods of the tunnel. Visitors and other workers not related to muck work will be prohibited to enter the tunnel after blasting operation and during mucking operations.

The following mitigation measures will be followed to address the impact due to increase in noise level:

Scheduling noisy construction activities in the day time as far as possible; Confining blasting operations during the day time only. Prior information should be given

by blowing siren 10 minutes before blasting operation and 10 minutes after blasting operation to indicate the commencement and conclusion of the operation;

Regular maintenance of the vehicles to reduce the mechanical and body noise while driving; Prohibition on the blowing of horns in critical stretches close to villages and near the school

area along the road; and Installing noise reducing equipment in the ventilators, compressors and diesel generator

set


Quarrying operations in the flood plain will be stripping operation rather than forming a big borrow pit at one location;

The quarry operation will not be carried below the flowing water level of the river; Excavation of aggregates from the river wet channel will be prohibited; and River flood plain quarrying will be carried out only in the dry season i.e. from November

through May.


Construction materials will be stockpiled and stored in designated sites only. Stockpiling of the construction materials in other areas will be strictly prohibited.

Godown and shades will be built for construction materials like cement, fuel and lubricant.


Controlled blasting will be practiced at all times while excavating the underground area to have a minimum vibration impact on the house structures located close to the tunnel alignment.

Heavy construction machinery will be used in the construction site only. The damaged house structures will be compensated for the damages caused by the blasting in

the tunnel. All houses located about 500m on either side of the tunnel alignment will be surveyed prior to the start of construction works and the structural conditions of the houses and the cracks developed will be documented. This will form the basis for compensation if such

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damage is reported. A third party auditor will approve all estimates. Estimated initial amount for prior survey of house structures and compensation is NRs 2,500,000. Additional resources will be made available if warranted.


A solid waste collection and storage system will be established in all the construction related camps and construction sites. The collected waste will be segregated depending upon the property of the waste such as degradable, glass, metals, plastics, cloths and leather etc and will be stored in separate bunded areas. These materials will be disposed as per the recommendations and approval of the project environmental officer. As of the date there is no sanitary landfill site in the project nearby areas. The environmental officer in coordination with the contractor will identify a secure site or arrange for disposal depending upon the nature and volume of the waste generated. The contractor will be made responsible for this measure.

Garbage containers of adequate size will be placed at critical places in the construction related camps and construction sites. The collected garbage will be collected daily for segregation and storage as outlined above. The contractor will be made responsible for this measure.


Slope of the cutting areas shall be maintained at less than the angle of repose to the extent possible, mostly 45%.

The cut slope and excavated areas will be stabilized by applying proper bioengineering measures including toe wall, gabion, shotcrete, small civil engineering structures and vegetation. Plastic sheets will be used to the extent possible to cover the vulnerable area.

Turfing will be done on milder slopes <30° and concreting will be done on steeper slopes and annual monitoring of slope stability will be done to assess possible slope failure and damage to the project structure(s).

Both vertical and horizontal drains will be provided to minimize the soil erosion problem. Slope protection structures such as revetment walls, benches or terraces riprap and spurs shall

be built at appropriate location in order to retain unstable soil masses. As the costs for these measures have been included in the Civil BoQ, no extra cost is envisaged

for this purpose.


Quarrying operations in the flood plain will be stripping operation rather than forming a big borrow pit at one location;

The quarry operation will not be carried below the flowing water level of the river; Excavation of aggregates from the river wet channel will be prohibited; and

River flood plain quarrying will be carried out only in the dry season i.e. from November through May.


Prior to the start of the construction work, the water spring within 200m strip above the tunnel alignment will be surveyed in the peak dry season and the available spring discharge is measured and documented. The survey will be done in the presence of the village elites and leaders.

On the report of the water discharge reduction, the water sources will be resurveyed and if found affected, provisional arrangements of water requirement to the affected villages or communities will be made immediately as a short term measure.

Piped water supply from the nearby available perennial sources will be arranged to the affected village/communities as a long term measure.

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Project design will recommend grouting, and even lining of certain parts of the tunnel, as important measures to avoid the draining problems. The costs of such items shall be included in the project civil costs.


Stockpiling and storage of the construction materials in designated sites only. Prohibition on the stockpiling of construction materials in other areas.

While preparing the site for construction for the access road, powerhouse and headworks, the top soil will be managed separately and saved in a separate area for later rehabilitation works.

Prior to the start of muck disposal, the contractor will make a plan for muck disposal and get approval from the project environmental officer. Apart from this, a plan will be in place for toe and slope protection of the muck disposal areas from the monsoon washout.

The muck deposited will be properly compacted and will be facilitated by surface runoff drainage facilities to avoid air pollution and run off erosion.

The muck disposal site will be rehabilitated by covering the muck surface by the top soil saved from the access roads, headworks and power house site preparation.


The top soil will be collected and stored in a safe place protected from washout and fanning and will not be piled up higher than five meters.

After the project completion, the top soil collected from temporarily acquired land will be restored and the remaining soil from permanent land will be placed on other land upon the request of the local people/community.

Heavy equipment will not be allowed to run over any agriculture land to avoid soil compression.



Downstream ecosystem requirements are expected to be met by releasing minimum 10% of mean monthly flowdownstream of weir.

Detail observation and monitoring will be carried out for first five years operation period in order to understand downstream water requirements, training for headworks Gate operators for environmental release.

Cost for all these will be incorporated in the operation costs by the Proponent.


Prior to the start of the construction work, the water spring within 200m strip above the tunnel alignment will be surveyed in the peak dry season and the available spring discharge is measured and documented. The survey will be done in the presence of the village elites and leaders.

On the report of the water discharge reduction, the water sources will be resurveyed and if found affected, provisional arrangements of water requirement to the affected villages or communities will be made immediately as a short term measure.

Piped water supply from the nearby available perennial sources will be arranged to the affected village/communities as a long term measure.

Project design will recommend grouting, and even lining of certain parts of the tunnel, as important measures to avoid the draining problems. The costs of such items shall be included in the project civil costs.

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Following measures will be implemented to minimize the impact:

Slope stabilization measures like bio-engineering method will be implemented to stabilize the slope and to control the soil erosion in fragile geology


The microclimatic effect of the project in the dewatered and pool section could not be mitigated with the selected project design. However, the continuous flow of minimum release water be maintained to minimize the impacts of micro-climatic change and will remain as the residual impact throughout the project life.


After piling the muck systematically the leased land shall be returned to the owner not less than in the pre-leased state.

In the public land, the mock deposits shall be piled in such a way that the piece of land could be reutilized for example constructing a football ground or other infrastructure finalized after the consultation with locals.


Mitigation measures adopted for controlling the impacts on slope stability, sedimentation and soil erosion during construction phase will directly reflect the conditions during the operation phase. During the operation stage, the following measures will be taken to contribute to the effectiveness of mitigation measures adopted during construction period:

Slope stabilization measures like bio-engineering method will be implemented to stabilize the slope and to control the soil erosion in fragile geology

To avoid erosion and sedimentation problems, any bare surface will not be left near the project areas.

Natural drainage will be maintained as far as possible. Any alteration in the existing natural drainage required by the project will be diverted to adjoining drainage by adequate man-made drainage arrangements considering the maximum volume of flow.

Noise pollution in the power house

The office staffs, engineers and supervisors working in the powerhouse will be provided ear plugs. Further, it will be mandated that all office staffs, engineers and supervisors will have to wear these gears inside the powerhouse to minimize the health impacts of the noise pollution.


All spent grease and mbil and unused or date expired toxic chemicals will be collected separately in plastic drums and stored in a safe place under the shade.

All empty containers of grease, Mobil, and toxic chemicals will be squeezed and stored in a safe place under the shade.

Unused chemicals, spent Mobil; grease will be discharged only after approval of the desinated officer and his/her recommendation.

Petroleum bunkers are placed in a separate, concrete bunded area with a facility of oil and grease separator.

8.3.2 Biological Environment



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Impact on aquatic life due to river water diversion for the construction of weir foundation could not be avoided and will remain as the residual impact. However to minimize the impact on water quality the construction contractor will be made responsible to develop a waste management plan, which details the use, storage and disposal of toxic, solid and sanitary waste and materials. This will be ensured by putting appropriate clauses in tender documents. The wastewater will not be mixed with the natural stream/river water before treatment. The flow channel will be avoided during riverbed material extraction and it will be carried out from bank deposit only.


To minimize the loss of vegetation, following mitigation measures will be adopted:

Cutting of trees and shrubs will be limited only in areas most needed for construction activities. The project sites requiring forest clearance will be demarcated and each tree and pole size vegetation will be marked and documented through joint of project environment officer/chief and DFO or DNPWC representative. The contractor will be given order to make a clear felling of the only designated sites and trees and pole species under the strict supervision of project environment chief. Further in the project camps, the existing trees and poles will be kept intact by felling only trees and pole required for the placement of housing structures.

Forest product generated during site clearance may be used to fulfill the fuel wood needs of the workers if the owners are willing to sell those products to contractors;

As per the Work Procedure Regarding Use of National Forest Area for Projects of National Priority, 2074,the project will develop a plantation site for 37625seedlings, which is twenty five times the total lost trees having above 10 cm DBHafter the vegetation clearance activities during the preconstruction phase. Seedlings will be purchased from the nurseries. While selecting seedlings priority will be given to the local species. The plantation will be done on the area equivalent to the one that is occupied by the project’s physical infrastructures and facilities on the land designated by the concerned authority. Further, its’ management will be done by the project at its own cost for five years. After five years, the plantation will be handed over to the concerned forest bodies. Locally suitable species like Chilaune, Siris, Simal, etc alongwith fruit and fodder species like Kabro, Khanyu, Dudhilo, etc. will be planted for compensatory plantation. The plantation sites will be identified and finalized in coordination with local forest authority, local community, DFO and DNPWC.

The standing forest resources such as timber, firewood, litter, fodder has high value. Haphazard clearance and improper collection and storage will make the cleared resource valueless to the users and owners. Therefore, the project will clear the forest and stockpile the materials as per the guideline of Forest Product Collection, Sale and Distribution Guidelines, (1998) and will be handed over to the respective owners.

Plantation on muck disposal sites will be carried out with suitable plant species. It will somehow compensate the loss of trees species;

Local people will be encouraged to participate in forest conservation programs. Similarly, awareness campaigns will be conducted for the conservation of forests; and forest fire management.

Encroachment into nearby forest areas will be strictly banned


Loss of biodiversity is unavoidable for the projects situated in forest area. To minimize the impacts following measures will be implemented:

Cutting of trees and vegetation clearance will be carried out only in the area required by the project and losses will be compensated with plantation;

Alternative source of firewood such as LPG/Kerosene will be provided to supplement energy need for cooking and minimize pressure on local forest;

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Strict rules will be enforced to restrict collection and sell of NTFPs by project workers from the forest in project vicinity and upland area;

Strict rules will be enforced to restrict roaming of outside workforce in forest area without permission of the management at the time of their appointment. Anyone found roaming and damaging floral species should be penalized.

Construction activities like blasting, drilling and also vehicle movement will be carried out in the day time as far as possible to minimize its impact on local fauna;

The project will conduct awareness programs as required for local people to encourage them to sustain the local biodiversity.

Pressure on rare, endemic, endangered, threatened, and protected species of both flora and fauna due to project

Compensatory plantation program will be emphasized on the plantation of the protected floral species of the area;

For the compensation of each protected trees lost, twenty five seedlings will be re-planted;

Restriction of construction workers to wander in the forested area

Restriction on illegal collection and trade of NTFPs in construction camp and by construction workers. Any workers found guilty of cutting, collecting and trading of protected species will be punished;

Awareness programs will be organized to educate local people on the importance of protected plant and animal species and conservation practices; and

Hunting and poaching around the project area will be strictly prohibited. Anyone found to be involved in hunting, trapping or harassing wildlife will be punish. Regular monitoring of the workers will somehow discourage activities like illegal hunting and poaching. Also, coordination with the DNPWC, DFO, BZUG and CFUG will further help to mitigate the illegal hunting and poaching by the workers.

To avoid hunting and poaching of protected faunal species, implement an environmental awareness conservation program, awareness campaign will be conducted for the labour force;

Construction activities like blasting, drilling and also vehicle movement will be carried out in the day time as far as possible to minimize its impact on local fauna;

Regular monitoring of the workers will somehow discourage activities like illegal hunting and poaching animals and cutting of trees


The following mitigation measures are proposed to minimize the adverse impacts on the movement of wildlife due to construction activities:

Construction activities like blasting, and drilling will be carried out in the day time as far as possible to minimize its impact on local fauna;

Blasting at night will be limited within tunnel only;

Use of vehicle along the access road that passes through forest and other heavy noise producing machinery such as crushing plant, will not be operated at night as far as possible.

Construction areas will be properly fenced


The following mitigation measures are proposed to minimize the impact:

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Hunting, poaching, fishing activities and illegal felling of trees around the project area by the constructional workers will be strictly prohibited. Anyone found to be involved in hunting, trapping, harassing wildlife, fishing and illegal felling of vegetation will be punish. Regular monitoring of the workers will somehow discourage these activities. In addition, coordination with the DNPWC, DFO, BZUG and CFUG will further help to mitigate the illegal hunting and poaching by the workers.

An environmental awareness conservation program/awareness campaign will be conducted for the labour force and local people.


Strict rules will be enforced to restrict collection and sell of NTFPs by project workers from the forest in project vicinity and upland area;

Alternative source of firewood such as LPG/Kerosene will be provided to supplement energy need for cooking and minimize pressure on local forest;

Strict rules will be enforced to restrict roaming of outside workforce in forest area without permission of the management at the time of their appointment. Anyone found roaming and damaging floral species should be penalized.


Controlling outsiders that are not related to the project is beyond the scope of the project. However, the project will assist the local authorities on the following activities:

The project environmental officers will inform the local authorities, ward representative, CFUGs, BZUGsand the Forest range post office well ahead of time, if it finds the forest area close to the construction site being encroached.

The project environmental officers will prohibit the construction workforce to enter into the local forest areas for recreation as well as illegal harvesting of forest resources. If found guilty, the construction workforce will be penalized.


Inflammable material used in construction will be stored properly in a proper storage facility equipped with fire extinguishing equipment. This area will be declared “no smoking zone”.

Fire line will be drawn around the camp and storage facilities to prevent the possible spread of fire to the nearby forest and village.

Hoarding boards will be placed at critical location of the access road on the preventive actions to control the forest fire.

Public awareness programs with limited firefighting training will be launched to prevent the forest fires in the local area.

Project workers will be regularly informed not to throw lighted cigarette tips in the forest areas and not to use forest area as picnic spots. Besides, firefighting training will be provided to the construction workforce.



Following mitigation measures have been proposed to minimize the impcts:

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Downstream ecosystem requirements are expected to be met by releasing minimum 10% of mean monthly flow downstream of weir.


Cost for all these will be incorporated in the operation costs by the Proponent.

Fish ladder will be constructed alongside the trash passage canal to ease the migration of fish species. The fish ladder is designed as vertical slot fishway. The fish ladder is designed under the trashpassage with the gate of trash passage partly kept open during the migration season. The migration pattern show the upstream migration of the fish takes place between March-june. Accordingly, the fish ladder has been designed. The velocity at the fish ladder is maintained at 1 m/s. The length of fish ladder is 19.65 m and the width of vertical slot is 1 m. The pool at the fish ladder will be maintained atleast upto the weir height i.e 0.95 m. The distance between adjacent ladders is maintained at 1.40 m c/c.


The above impact will be residual impact of the project throughout the operation phase. However, risky project structures will be fencedto ensure the safe movement of wildlife.


The following mitigation measures are proposed to minimize pressure on protected species of fauna:

Hunting and poaching around the project area will be strictly prohibited. Anyone found to be involved in hunting, trapping or harassing wildlife will be punish. Regular monitoring of the workers will somehow discourage activities like illegal hunting and poaching. Also, coordination with the DNPWC, DFO, BZUG and CFUG will further help to mitigate the illegal hunting and poaching by the workers.

Awareness programs will be organized to educate local people and project staffs on the importance of protected plant and animal species and conservation practices; and

Regular monitoring of the project workers will somehow discourage activities like illegal hunting and poaching animals and cutting of trees.


The following mitigation measure is proposed to minimize impact on wildlife due to sudden release of water to the downstream:

Siren system will be established targeting the downstream during sudden release of water from the headworks during the operation period. This may give the wildlife and local people sufficient time to escape from the area due to the siren noise.


Controlling outsiders that are not related to the project is beyond the scope of the project. However, the project will assist the local authorities on the following activities:

The project officers will inform the local authorities, ward representative, Community forest user groups, MBBC and the Forest range post office well ahead of time, if it finds the forest area close to the project site being encroached.

The project operation staffs will be prohibited to enter into the local forest areas for illegal harvesting of forest resources. If found guilty, the construction workforce will be penalized.


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Hunting, poaching, and illegal felling of trees around the project area by the project office stffs will be strictly prohibited. Anyone found to be involved in hunting, trapping, harassing wildlife, and illegal felling of vegetation will be punish. Regular monitoring of the workers will somehow discourage these activities. In addition, coordination with the DNPWC, DFO, BZUG and CFUG will further help to mitigate the illegal hunting and poaching by the office staffs;

An environmental awareness conservation program/awareness campaign will be conducted for the project staffs and locals.

8.3.3 Socio-economic and Cultural Environment



In the context of Nepal, land to land replacement is also not possible because of the limited availability of the usable lands. The only option to mitigate the impacts of the permanent land is to compensate the affected people in monetary terms. The affected private land owners will be compensated as per the Land Acquisition Act, 1977. However, following policy measures will be employed for the compensation to the permanent land of the affected persons.

Compensatory Measures for Land Loss

Project affected persons will be consulted properly with various options and the facilities they are entitled to before agreed on a mode of payment to ensure that decision by affected persons are taken based upon ‘informed choices’. Project affected persons/ families and relavant local government agencies will be consulted for evaluation of the land and properties for negotiation and compensation.

The private land acquired by the project will be compensated at the rate of replacement value fixed by the Compensation Fixation Committee (CFC) formed as per the Land Acquisition Act, 1977 under the chair of Chief District Officer (CDO) of respective project districts, Sankhuwasabha and Bhojpur Districts. The other members of CFC include Land Administrator or Chief of the Land Revenue Office, a representative of the District Coordination Committee of the respective project districts and the Project-in-chief. To ensure the compensation at replacement cost, the CFC will take account of prevailing rates in the local market and rate proposed by affected households. Affected households will be explained the process (of acquisition of land and assets and compensation against such acquisition at replacement cost) and their views will be taken into consideration while determining the valuation of land.

First priority will be given to all the qualified members of the each affected households for employment in the project construction and operation.

Compensatory Measures for temporary land Loss

Land required for temporary facilities will be acquired on lease by negotiation or mutual agreement. SKHP make the contractor responsible for compensating for any temporary damage to land, property, crops and trees during civil works, which should be clearly reflected in the contract agreement as a condition to release contractor’s payment.

All the temporary land acquired will be given annual rentals by the construction contractor. The rental will be based on the land productivity and shall not be less than the total annual land productivity. The rental will be paid as agreed between the borrower and land owner.

For agricultural land under individual or household ownership, the contractor will make an agreement with the owners of the land on the land rentals through bilateral negotiation. A copy of the agreement of the bilateral agreement signed by both the parties will be presented to the Project Management to monitor the compliance of the agreement in the later periods. The contractor is obliged to rehabilitate the land occupied to “as is condition” prior to occupation after the end of the construction period before handing over the land to the owner. The key parameters for the rehabilitation unless specified in the agreement will be i) top soil maintenance, ii) demolition of all structures, fences and drainages, iii) establishment of land boundaries to pre-project conditions, iv) area should be free from

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construction or camp solid wastes. The contractor should submit the handover of the land signed by the affected party to the Project Management. In case the contractor fails to submit the handover letter signed by the affected party, the contractor’s money will be retained from its account and the project management will make all the required payments to the affected parties.


The project will use drinking water sources without disturbing the water need of local people. The construction camps will not use the local water supply facilities and establish its own water supply at the camps.


The construction area will be declared as hardhat area and all the necessary precaution and warning sign will be placed at all work sites. Hard hat, eye glass, safety boot, ear plugs, good electric light system, power cutting devices, fire fighting accessories, caution signals, and other safety equipments as required at particular working sites will be provided. The project proponent will be responsible to compensate the affected parties for the loss of lives if any due to implementation of the project activities as per the prevailing legal requirements of GoN. The contractor should adopt Safe Construction Practices (SCP) in order to minimize construction related accidents and other human risk. Measures to be practiced by the contractor include:

Restriction in access to construction sites to the public by fencing and using guards and in order to prevent gathering and crowding of local people near the construction sites, guided tours should be provided whenever required to inform the people about the construction activities;

Time to time dissemination of information to the local people about potentially dangerous areas and activities such as blasting and high voltage lines;

Provision of adequate training on occupational health and safety to all construction workers;

Provision warning signs near to the potentially dangerous areas such as quarry site, tunnel outlets and audits, and tailrace outlet;

Provision of protective clothing such as helmets, boots, gloves, and mask to all construction workers, supervisors, and visitors;

Operation of machinery and other heavy equipment by authorized personnel only and construction of adequate temporary support structures to avoid rock falls or landslides during construction;

Provision of adequate lighting and ventilation at all construction sites;

Provision of emergency equipment such as first-aid kits, flash lights, fire extinguishers, audible warning devices such as a siren, water rescue equipment, emergency vehicle, and phone on site at all times with workers well informed about the proper use of such equipments;

Provision of a health care facility managed by qualified doctors, nurses, and other personnel onsite and also strengthen the existing health post at the site.


The affected private land owners will be compensated as per the Land Acquisition Act with compensatory measures as discussed in the above sections. The standing crops in the lands acquired will be compensated with negotiation with the land owerners, if these lands have standing crops at the time of land acquisition.


The project will negotiate with the affected households to provide compensation for the loss of tree from the private land on mutual basis. Compensation will be paid as per the numbers of plant rather

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than wood volume. Owner will have the right to use the uprooted trees without deducting the compensation amount.


The best way to minimize the negative impacts on community infrastructures and local resources caused by influx of project staff and labor force is to maximize the use of local workers. The project will give high preference to the local people while recruiting the labor required for the project construction. The use of local labors will minimize the adverse impacts resulting from migrant workers and enhance the local economy by providing income to the local people. The main benefits in using local labors are as follows:

• Reduce the pressure on local resources, including forest and public facilities (school, health post, drinking water supply etc;

• Reduce water pollution and waste generation;

The project will use drinking water sources without disturbing the water need of local people. The existing public facilities such as health posts, schools and water supply and drainage system etc will be strengthened to meet the demands of the influx of project staff and labor force. Other public facilities like foot trails, roads, drinking water supply and drainage systems etc. disturbed due to construction of project components and facilities will be either rehabilitated or constructed in new location with proper consultation with the users and other stakeholders.


Control authorities will be informed about the absurd activities in the project area.


Following measures will be implemented to minimize the impacts:

Maximizations of local employment

Instruct contractors and outside workforce to honor local culture and tradition and behave decently with the local people and

Ban on influx of an individual/mission/group of people having intention of influencing the people at the project site pertaining to imposition of some religion, apart from their traditional religion, with the help of local authority.


SKHP will strictly follow the policy of nondiscrimination in terms of gender, caste, color or place of origin while hiring the workforce for the construction of the project. The project will completely ban the use of child labor. This will be ensured by incorporating relevant clause in the tender document and project will place mechanism to monitor these provisions.

Women employment will be encouraged in project and it shall be guaranteed that employment regulation shall not conflict with Nepalese law and international regulation and conventions signed by Nepal. The job salary, facilities, incentives to women will be at the same level as men.


Following measures will be implemented to minimise the impacts:

The local law and order authorities will be regularly informed about the construction planning and sites of construction works and activities.

The construction workforce will be regularly instructed to respect local people and their traditions and culture and not to indulge in any conflict with the local people.

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Avoid entering into private premises without informing and without the permission of the property owners.

Provide opportunity for local people in construction related jobs;

Maintain a Public Information Center (PIC) where local people and people from outside could get information about the project activities.


Preference will be given to the local people in project related jobs and subsidiary opportunities.

Construction workers from outside the project area will be well-informed about the general norms and values of society. The construction workforce will be instructed to respect local people, especially the female members and the local culture and tradition.

A strict code of conduct for the workforce will be formulated and enforced. In case any worker is found soliciting prostitution will be penalized and terminated.


Discribed in physical environment section under the heading Issue due to the blasting and use of heavy equipments.


Impact on fish due to river water diversion for the construction of weir foundation could not be avoided and will remain as the residual impact. However to minimize the impact fish species due to change in water quality, the construction contractor will be made responsible to develop a waste management plan.The flow channel will be avoided during riverbed material extraction and it will be carried out from bank deposit only.


Local people will be pre-informed about the time schedules of transferring heavy machinery through existing foot trails which will reduce the probability of accidents.

Precautions will be taken while carrying construction materials from foot trails for minimizing probable accidents.

Existing foot trails will be widened and repaired as required.

Project will always make efforts not to hamper any activities of the local people


No specific archaeological, historical sites of national and international importance were identified in the project areas. Only one case that came to be noticed in the field visit is the case of a Devithan. It is located at headworks area in Siktemtar ofSilichong-1. Shifting of the local religiously and ritually important entities likely to be demolished in the construction of project will be carried out with consent of the local people to an appropriate place.



The affected private land owners will be compensated as per the Land Acquisition Act with compensatory measures as discussed in the above sections. The standing crops in the lands acquired will be compensated with negotiation with the land owerners, if these lands have standing crops at the time of land acquisition.

The impact due to agriculture production will be minimized by increasing production in remaining land using modern tools, improved variety of seeds and livestock assistance.

Furthermore skill training, employment and other sources of income will also reduced this impact to acceptable level.

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At present, the the water of the Sankhuwa Khola from headworks to the confluence of the Sankhuwa-Arun river has not been used for any consumptive purpose like drinking water supply, watter mills, micro hydro and irrigation. However, one micro hydro (Sankhuwa Khola micro-hydro project) has been proposed just upstream of the Sankhuwa-Arun river. Compensation for the micro-hydro shall be determined in negotiation. Compensation cost, if any, shall be liable to the project cost.


Sudden release of water in downstream may cause accidents and causalities, thus the following mitigation measures will be taken to reduce this impact:

People of downstream will be pre-informed about the time of water release and strictly warn them not to go to the river area during that time.

Siren system will be established to make people aware about the timing of water release in downstream. This may give the people sufficient time to escape from the area due to the siren noise.


Discribed in physical environment section under the section issue due to drying up of water sources in headworks, powerhouse and tunnel alignment.


After the completion of construction works, the large number of workers will not be required. Workers will be laid off from their jobs, local markets will decelerate and hence local economic activities will be reduced. Thus some measures will be taken to lessen the economic crises during that period which are mentioned below:

The project will give priority to provide employment to local people during operation phase also as far as possible.

Encourage the workers to spend their earnings in a proper way from the time of construction. Facilitate the local people to establish small-scale local industries in the area through their

earnings.


Following mitigation measures have been proposed to maintain the fish and aquatic life habitat and associated fishing community:

Downstream water requirements are expected to be met by releasing minimum 10% of mean monthly flowdownstream of weir.


Fish ladderwill be constructed alongside the trash passage canal to ease the migration of fish species.

Support downstream communities through employment, skill training and capacity development.

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CHAPTER 9

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

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9 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

The schedule 6 of the EPR, 1997 has obliged the proponent to include Environment Management Plan (EMP) in an EIA report and it should include environmental protection measures, environment monitoring and auditing plan. This EMP has been prepared to set out environmental management requirements for the Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP) and to develop procedures to ensure that all mitigation measures and monitoring requirements will be carried out in subsequent stages of project development. This EMP involves multiple organizations and responsibilities shared between Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) and government line agencies, the project proponent, the Construction Contractor, Engineering Supervisor and Local Authority.

9.1 Environmental Monitoring Monitoring is an activity undertaken to provide specific information on the characteristics and functions of environmental and social variables in space and time. Environmental monitoring plans include the activities to be monitored (parameters and indicators), methods, location and responsible agency for monitoring during Pre-construction, Construction and Operation phases. The purposes of monitoring are to investigate and understand the quality of the environment prior to project implementation andkeep records of the project impact on the environmental components during construction and operation phases of the project so as to provide reliable information and scientific basis for environmental management.It is a process which evaluates whether the mitigation and monitoring actions are actually being carried out or not and evaluates the effectiveness of the implemented measures to curb the perceived impacts or identify unforeseen impacts for further corrective actions to avoid or minimize the impacts before it is too lat. Therefore, environmental monitoring evaluates the performance of the project administration and ensures activities comply with regulatory measures.

9.1.1 Monitoring Agency Regular monitoring of EMP implementation will be conducted by the implementing agency (internal monitoring) as well as by an independent external monitoring and evaluation organization or individual designated by Ministry of Forests and Environment (external monitoring) to verify:

Project activity comply with environmental laws and the impacts do not exceeds legal standards;

Actions and commitments described in the EMP are implemented fully on time;

EMP actions and compensation measures are effective enough to enhance (or at least restore) affected parties and/or environmental components;

Complaints and grievances lodged by project affected people are followed up and that where necessary, appropriate corrective actions are implemented; and

If necessary, changes in EMP procedure are made to improve delivery of entitlements to project affected people.

For the SKHP, primary monitoring responsibility will rest with the Proponent. The project Proponent will establish Sankhuwa Khola Environment and Community Development Unit (SK-ECDU) to undertake social and environmental monitoring of the project.

9.1.1.1 Internal The internal monitoring will be carried out by SK-ECDU on a regular basis to assess progress against the schedule of action defined in the EMP. Activities to be undertaken by SK-ECDU for EMP implementation will include;

Liaison with the EMP implementation team, Land Acquisition Team, construction contractor and project affected communities to review and report progress against the EMP;

Assess the progress on implementation of action and commitment describe in EMP;

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Verification that agreed measures to restore or enhance affected environmental components are being implemented;

Identification of any problem, issue or cases related to environmental degradation and hardship of life affected communities resulting from the resettlement process;

Assess project affected peoples’ satisfaction with environmental and resettlement outcomes through informal village head and household interviews;

Collect record of grievances, and follow-up to check that appropriate corrective action, if required have been undertaken and that outcome are satisfactory; and

Prepare brief quarterly progress and compliance report for SKHP management, external monitoring team, and MoFE.

9.1.1.2 External An independent external monitoring and evaluation organization or individual designated by MoFEwill carry out six-monthly review of the EMP implementation. External monitoring will be conducted during the implementation period to ensure that the project activity comply with the environmental standards and to check the proper implementation of EMP and grievances are addressed in a prompt manner to resolve the cases.

Activities that will be undertaken by the consultants include:

Review of internal monitoring procedures and reporting to ascertain whether these are being undertaken in compliance with EMP;

Review of internal monitoring record as a basis for identifying any areas of non-compliance, any recurrent problems, or potentially disadvantaged groups or households;

Review grievances record for evidence of significant non-compliance or recurrent poor performance in resettlement implementation;

Discuss with SKHP management, SK-ECDU staff, and others involved in land acquisition, compensation disbursement or livelihood restoration to review progress and identify critical issues;

Survey affected households and enterprises to gauge the extent to which project affected peoples’ standard of leaving and livelihood have been restored or enhanced as a result of the project;

Assess overall compliance with the EMP requirements; and

Prepare a summary monitoring report for SKHPmanagement, MoFEand financing institute on progress of EMP implementation, any issue arising and any necessary corrective actions.

9.1.2 Monitoring Phase The approved ToR of SKHPsuggests three types of monitoring; Baseline Monitoring, Impact Monitoring and Compliance Monitoring to implement during the project pre-construction, construction and operation phase. The details are given in subsequent headings.

9.1.2.1 Baseline Monitoring (Pre-construction Phase) Baseline monitoring is carried out to gather information on existing environmental variables during the pre-construction stage. It is a survey that documents detail information on the pre-project conditions of physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural resources. Most of the baseline databases of the project area environment (local and site specific) have been gathered during this EIA process. Since there will be a considerable time gap in decision making based on this report and actual construction time, it is recommended to undertake the following monitoring activities at the pre-construction phase, just before the start of actual construction works. The subsequent monitoring can access changes in those parameters during the construction and operation phase to understand range and degree of influence on the environment quality by the project construction and operation. Table 9.1 presents the Baseline Monitoring Plan.

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Table 9-1 Baseline Monitoring

Parameters Indicator Location Method Frequency/

schedule

Monitoring Responsibility

Physical Environment

Slope stability, landslide and soil erosion

Existing number of slope failure landslides/ debris flows/gully formation sites

Headwork and

powerhouse site,

internal access roads, quarry site, surge shaft tunnel alignment and muck disposal area

Direct observation and mapping in the appropriate scale map

Once/preconstruction phase

SK-ECDU

River hydrology

Monthly flow record

Immediate upstream and downstream of intake and just upstream of confluence with the Arun

Flow measurement, gauging

Before construction

SK-ECDU

Air Quality

TSP , PM10 and dust accumulation in houses and vegetation

In and around construction site and project access road

As per National Ambient Air quality Standards, Nepal, 2003, site observation

Once/ pre-construction phase

SK-ECDU

Noise Quality Noise level(dBA)

Construction site, project access road, quarry site and nearby settlements

Sound level meter

Once/pre-construction phase

SK-ECDU

Water Quality

DO, BOD, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, COD , Color, pH, hardness, oil, grease, coliform

Immediate u/s and d/s of proposed intake site and immediate d/s and just upstream of confluence with the Arun

Sample collection and laboratory analysis as per Generic Standard Part I: Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be Discharged into Inland Surface Waters, Nepal, 2003

Once/ pre- construction

SK-ECDU

Land pollution Open defecation and scattered waste

Sankhua Khola, Siswa Khola and Arun river bank, proposed camp area and nearby forest

Direct observation


SK-ECDU

Springs and water source

Number, discharge/uses/ household dependence

200 m stripe of tunnel alignment

Field Survey, maps and photographs

Twice; dry and wet season/pre-construction phase

SK-ECDU

Conditions of built structures

Cracks on build structure

Houses and build structures nearby construction site and along the tunnel alignment

Field Survey, maps and photographs


SK-ECDU

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schedule


Biological environment

Forest and vegetation

Forest status in terms of vegetation coverage and species

Forests within 2 km distance of the Headwork, powerhouse, project access road and camp area

Forest sampling and photography from particular location, consultation with user groups and DFO


SK-ECDU

Wildlife status

Wildlife status in terms of species present and reported, raider wildlife (monkey, porcupine, jackal, leopard)

Nearby forest Consultation with locals, note season of raiding, frequency of raiding, and the place raided


SK-ECDU

Fish population and migration if any

Abundance and types of fish species, fish population at d/s and u/s

U/s and d/s of the proposed Headworks and just upstream of confluence with the Arun

Fish sampling and discussions with local fishermen, local people


SK-ECDU

Socio-economic and cultural environment

Economic status of project affected Wards

Household income and expenditure pattern of project affected people

Project surrounding settlements and affected Wards

Field observation, social-economic survey, discussions with local people


SK-ECDU

Energy use Fuel wood consumption in HHs,

Source of HH energy

Project surrounding settlement and affected Wards

Discussions with local people and energy consumption survey


SK-ECDU

Markets Number of Hotels/Tea stall and Restaurants

nearby project area Social survey, site observation


SK-ECDU

Consumer price

Rental for night stay, labor cost/day (male and female) and price of daily consumable local and imported items such as rice, wheat, maize, millet, milk, meat (chicken, mutton, buff), sugar, kerosene, LPG, vegetables, food, etc.

project surrounding settlements

Market survey and documentation


SK-ECDU


Common disease, no of people served by health post, no of illness, no of untimely death case due to illness, no of

surrounding settlements

Field survey and documentation, Photographs and testing water quality samples as


SK-ECDU

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schedule


HHs having toilets, Practice of sanitation (Child defecation, solid waste disposal), Source of water (Piped, springs, river)and quality

per drinking quality standards

Infrastructure and service delivery centers

Site accessibility, number and types of existing infrastructure facility, existing service centers,

Settlements in project surrounding area

Discussions with the local people and site observation


SK-ECDU

Employment Number of service holders in the project affected area

Project affected Wards Socio-economic survey and review of secondary data


SK-ECDU

Agriculture production

Types and quantity of crops grown, crops production rate

Project affected Wards Social survey, field observation and discussions with the local people

Once/pre-construction

SK-ECDU

Disadvantaged groups

Employment, economic status, social status, education

Project affected Wards Social survey and discussion with targeted group

Once/pre-construction

SK-ECDU

9.1.2.2 Compliance monitoring Compliance monitoring will be undertaken throughout pre-construction, construction and operation phase of the project. The compliance monitoring will monitor whether the proponent’s/contractor’s activities on implementing impact mitigation measures as recommended in EIA are implemented or not during pre-construction, construction and operation phase as appropriate. Table 9.2 presents methods, schedule, and indicators to be monitored during pre-construction, construction and operation phase.

Table 9-2 Compliance Monitoring

Monitoring Issues Monitoring Indicator

Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method

Monitoring Frequency


Pre-construction

Inclusion of environmental considerations in tender documents and thereafter into the contractors work plan

Written statement in tender document and construction work plan

In tender document

Review of detailed design, specification, tender documents and construction work plan

The presence in the contractors work plan of each of the environmental considerations from

Once, before approval of tender document

SK-ECDU

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Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method



the tender documents

Land acquisition and compensation

Land/property acquisition procedure

Affected parties

Discussions with local people and the project management

Once/during land acquisition

SK-ECDU

Construction phase

Mitigation Measures

All mitigation actions listed in EIA for construction phase, all the various management plans that are mentioned in EIA report

All structural sites and facility sites and their surroundings

Direct supervision and documentation

Daily/weekly/monthly depending upon the measure

SK-ECDU

Water quality

Parameters listed in “ Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be Discharged into Inland Surface Waters” 2003 – for compliance

Tunnel discharge after treatment

Sanitary discharge of camps after treatment

Aggregate washing point discharge after treatment

As per Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be Discharged into Inland Surface Waters” 2003,

Monthly Contractor,

SK-ECDU

Tunnel Air Quality TSP/PM10, CO, CO2, NOx, SOx

Active tunnel working face, and midway between active tunnel working face and outlet portal

As per international norms for air quality monitoring at the tunnels

Monthly Contractor,

SK-ECDU

Water quality in the camps

As per Nepal Drinking Water Quality Standard for compliance

Water supply reservoir and tap of the camps

As per Nepal Drinking Water Quality Standard

Monthly Contractor,

SK-ECDU

Public and occupational health and safety (Ambulance, medical doctor, first aid, PPE)

Outbreak of epidemic in the village and construction camps. Number of workers reporting sickness, injuries, construction accident and fatal incidents etc.

All surrounding villages and construction sites and camps,

Direct observation, consultation with local people/communities and health workers, managers of camps and construction workforce, health care facilities of the construction camps and sites

Twice a month Contractor,

SK-ECDU

Law and order and security

Theft, burglary, quarrels, social unrest, number of police case etc.

Construction areas, labor camps

Direct observation and consultation with the local communities and affected Wards

Monthly Contractor,

SK-ECDU

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Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method



authority and reports of the construction camp management

Operation phase

Mitigation Measures

All mitigation measures listed in EIA for operation phase

All structural sites and facility sites and their surroundings

Direct supervision and documentation

Daily/weekly/monthly depending upon the measure

Operation manager

Water quality in the operation camp


Water supply reservoir and tap of the camps


Once in six month

Operation manager

Health, sanitation and safety

Number of workers reporting sickness, injuries, accident and fatal incidents etc.

Project area; powerhouse and headworks

Site observation and discussion with workers and local people

Once a year Operation manager

Control of anti socio-cultural activities

Cases of social abuses and or offences

Project area; powerhouse and headworks

Site observation and discussion with local people

Once a year Operation manager

Downstream water release as recommended in EIA

Water volume released from the weir and associated structure to downstream

Downstream low flow zone

Discharge measurement at the end of the under sluice

Monthly Operation manager

9.1.2.3 Impact monitoring

Due to the construction and operation activity, environmental parameters within the project area are expected to change. The impact monitoring will monitor changes on environmental parameters elaborated in baseline environment and will determine the effectiveness of environmental protection measures on improving the environmental condition during construction and operation phase. Or in other words, impact monitoring enables to know the actual level of impact in the field during construction and operation phase of the project.

Different parameters for impact monitoring including methods to be used, schedule, location, indicator and agencies responsible to carry out the monitoring are described in Table 9.3.

Table 9-3 Impact Monitoring

Monitoring Issues

Monitoring Indicator

Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method



Construction phase

Slope stability, landslide and erosion

Newly developed landslides scar/ debris flows/gully formation sites

Headwork and

powerhouse site,

internal access roads, quarry site, surge shaft tunnel alignment and

Field visit and site observation

Twice a year SK-ECDU

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Monitoring Issues


Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method



muck disposal area

Air Quality

24 hours TSP and PM 10 ( to examine impact on ambient air quality in relation to NAAQS standards


As per National Ambient Air quality Standards, Nepal, 2003

Twice a year (November, April)

SK-ECDU

Water Quality


Immediate u/s and d/s of proposed intake site and immediate d/s and u/s of the tailrace tunnel


Quarterly

SK-ECDU

Noise quality Noise level(dBA)


Sound level meter

Twice a year (November, April)

SK-ECDU


Sankhua Khola, Siswa Khola and Arunriver bank, proposed camp area and nearby forest

Direct observation

Daily

SK-ECDU

Springs and water sources

Discharge/second, for the complained spring

Complained springs and water sources within 200 m strip of tunnel alignment

Field Survey and documentation in maps and photographs

Immediately after the receiving complaint (monitoring in dry and wet season only)

SK-ECDU

Conditions of built structure

Cracks on complained structures

Complained structures nearby construction site

Field Survey and documentation in maps and photographs

Imediately after the receiving complain

SK-ECDU


Forest status in terms of vegetation coverage and species


Forest sampling and photography from particular location, consultation with user groups and DFO, DNPWC

Twice a year

SK-ECDU

Wildlife

Wildlife status in terms of presence of species Raider wildlife (monkey, porcupine, jackal, leopard)

Nearby forest and project surrounding area;

Consultation with locals, note season of raiding, frequency of raiding, and the place raided

Twice a year (September and March)

SK-ECDU

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Monitoring Issues


Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method




Household income and expenditure pattern of project affected people



Once a year

SK-ECDU

Energy Use

Fuel wood consumption in HHs,

Source of HH energy

Project surrounding settlement

Discussions with local people and energy consumption survey

Once in a year

SK-ECDU

Markets No of hotels/tea stall and restaurants

villages nearby project area

Social survey, site observation

Once in a year

SK-ECDU

Consumer price

Rental for night stay, labor cost/day (male and female) and price of daily consumable local and imported items such as rice, wheat, maize, millet, milk, meat (chicken, mutton, buff), sugar, kerosene, LPG, vegetables, food, etc.



Every month

SK-ECDU


Common disease, no of people visit in the health post, no of illness, no of untimely death case due to illness, no of HH having toilets, Practice of sanitation (Child defecation, solid waste disposal), Source of water (Piped, springs, river)and quality


Field survey and documentation, Photographs and testing water quality samples as per drinking quality standards

Monthly

SK-ECDU

Infrastructure and service delivery centers

Site accessibility, number and types of existing infrastructure facility, existing service centers and pressure on them

Settlements in project surrounding area

Discussions with the local people and site observation

Once a year

SK-ECDU

Employment No of service holders in the project affected area

Project affected VDCs

Socio-economic survey and review of secondary data

Once a year SK-ECDU


Agriculture land availability, types and quantity of crops grown, crops production rate

Project affected Wards

Social survey, field observation and discussions with the local people

Once in a year

SK-ECDU

Disadvantaged groups

Employment, economic status, social status, education


Social survey and discussion with targeted group

Once a year SK-ECDU

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Monitoring Issues


Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method



Operation phase

Slope stability land slide and soil erosion

Newly developed scar of landslide/ slope failure/debris flows/gully formation sites

Headwork and

powerhouse site,

internal access roads, quarry site, surge shaft tunnel alignment and muck disposal area

Direct observation and mapping in the appropriate scale map

Twice a year for first 5 years of operation

Operation manager

River hydrology

10% d/s release of mean monthly flow

Immediate upstream and downstream of intake and just upstream of the confluence with the Arun river.

Flow measurement, gauging

Every month Operation manager

Air Quality

TSP , PM10and dust accumulation in houses and vegetation


As per National Ambient Air quality Standards, Nepal, 2003 site observation

Once after operation

Operation manager

Noise level Noise level(dBA)


Sound level meter

once after operation

Operation manager

Water Quality


Immediate u/s and d/s of proposed intake site and immediate d/s and just upstream of the confluence with the Arun river.


Twice a year (November, April) for first 5 year

Operation manager


Sankhua Khola, Siswa Khola and Arunriver bank, proposed camp area and nearby forest

Direct observation

Once a year for first year

Operation manager

Springs and water source

Discharge/second, for the springs monitored in the baseline monitoring

200 m stripe of tunnel alignment

Field Survey and documentation

Once a year in dry season for first 5 years

Operation manager


Forest status in terms of vegetation coverage, tree density and species


Forest sampling and photography from particular location,

(place of photo taken and sample plot same as

Twice a year for first 5 year (September and March)

Operation manager

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Monitoring Issues


Monitoring Location

Monitoring Method



baseline monitoring)

Wildlife

Wildlife status in terms of presence and siting of species, raider wildlife (monkey, porcupine, jackal, leopard)

Nearby forest

Consultation with locals, note season of raiding, frequency of raiding, and the place raided

Twice a year for first 5 years (September and March)

Operation manager


Household income and expenditure pattern of people in affected settlements and Wards



Once for the first year of operation

Operation manager

Markets No of Hotels/Tea stall and Restaurants

nearby project area Social survey, site observation

Every month/ for the first year of operation

Operation manager

Consumer price

Rental for night stay, labor cost/day (male and female) and price of daily consumable local and imported items such as rice, wheat, maize, millet, milk, meat (chicken, mutton, buff), sugar, kerosene, LPG, vegetables, food, rental for night stay etc.



Every month for the first year of operation

Operation manager


Agriculture land availability, types and quantity of crops grown, crops production rate


Social survey, field observation and discussions with the local people

Once for first year of operation

Operation manager

9.2 Environmental Impact Management Actions As an environmental management actions a number of management plans will be implemented throughout pre-construction, construction and operation phase of the project which includes Permits and Approval Plan, Construction Camp Management Plan, Construction/operation Impact Management Plan, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan, Environment Awareness and Training Plan, Accident and Emergency Management Plan, Traffic and Access Management Plan, Complain Handling Plan, Site Restoration Plan etc.

9.2.1 Permits and Approval Plan The objective of permits and approvals is to comply with the government legislative requirement/procedure and to keep cordial relationships with the project stakeholders.

There are a number of legislative requirements which demands prior permits and approvals from the concerned government agencies to commence the work. Besides, for the smooth operation of project construction and operation works some activities would require general consensus of the project affected families and/or project area communities. In these cases project management should take prior permits and approvals or consensus of the people or individuals before the start of the activities. The

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project should ensure that all the permits and approval or consensus of the general public is taken before the start of the activities. The permits and approval or consensus required for the project are presented in Table 9.4 below.

Table 9-4 Permits and Approval Plan

SN Required Permits and Approval

Agency from where permits and approval

or consensus required

Implementation Time in project

lifecycle Responsibility

1 EIA Approval and Issuance of construction license

Ministry of Forestsand Environment and

Department of Electricity Development, Ministry of Energy

Pre-construction SKHP Management

2 Tree clearing from Buffer Zone of Makalu Barun National Park forests

BZUG and DNPWC Pre-construction SKHP Management

3 Tree clearing from government managed forests

Divisional Forest office and Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation

Pre-construction SKHP Management

4 Tree clearing from community Forest DivisionalForest Office, Forest User Groups Pre-construction

SKHP Management

5 Permanent/temporary land(public) acquisition

Chief District Officer Pre-construction SKHP Management

6 Permanent/temporary land(private) acquisition

Landowners Pre-construction SKHP Management

7 Entry to private land and property , if required

Landowners Construction Contractor

8

Relocation/disturbance/obstruction to infrastructure such as foot trails, irrigation facilities, water supply facilities, telephone lines, electricity lines etc.

Affected parties/individuals/Ward Offices

Construction Contractor

All approval and permits will be procured at least a week before the start of pre-construction and construction works by the reponsible stakeholders as listed in the table above. The permits and approval will be documented and recorded in the Project information center at the site.

9.2.2 Construction Camps Management Plan The objective of construction camp management plan is to help address potential negative impacts on local communities through the introduction of approximately 500- person construction work force. Besides, the construction preparation activities at the site; establishment of various camps for the engineers/contractors/workers; storage and mechanical yard have lasting consequences in local environment and society. Therefore, the project proponent/construction contractor will implement a series of activities related to the management of construction workforce and camp as given in the table below;

It is therefore, planning for traffic management (on site and along the road corridor) and management of construction camps and storage facilities (fuel, hazardous materials, and explosives) are very crucial on the overall environmental management plan. A proper and sensible planning at this stage will avoid likely environmental and social adverse consequences. The highlights of construction camps and traffic management plan are presented in Table 9.5.

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Table 9-5 Construction Camps Management Plan SN Activities Timing of Actions Responsibilities

A General management requirement

1 Pre-information to the local area people on the start date of project preparation works and the range of activities to be undertaken

Pre-construction (Start of construction preparation at site)

SKHP Management

2 Whenever possible, recruit locally available workforce, provide appropriate training as necessary

Pre-construction (At least 15 days prior to start of construction work)

Contractor

3

Address and manage potential ethnic tensions between workers and the local communities, increase risk of prostitution and communicable disease, theft, drug and alcohol abuse, market distortion due to temporary inputs of local economy and other local tensions such as unemployment, ethnicity and divergent cultural values

Throughout the construction period

Contractor

4

Site clearance and construction plan for construction camps (engineer, contractor, labor force, mechanical yards, long term storage facilities for lubricants, fuel, and explosives etc) with plans to save top soil for later use


Contractor

5

Checking and approval of plan (check landscape harmony, adequacy of space, room size, ventilation system, fire hazard equipment placements, toilets, water supply system, communication systems, medical facilities, drainage system, common cooking and dining space, sewage treatment system, recreational facilities, solid waste collection and storage facilities, top soil excavation, and storage area for later use, muck placement site for later final disposal in muck spoil disposal sites, fencing, hoarding board placement sites etc.)


Supervising engineer SK-ECDU

6 Provide adequate and suitable facilities for washing cloths and utensils for the use of contract labor employed therein

Throughout the construction period

Contractor

7 Provide suitable, safe and comfortable accommodation for the workforce

Throughout the construction Contractor

8

Provide adequate lavatory facilities (toilets and washing area) for the number of workers expected on site, plus visitors. Toilet facilities should be provided with adequate supplies of clean and potable water and soap. Separate and adequate bathing facilities for the use of male and female workers


9 Provide recreational facilities to the workers in the camp area


10 Provide safe potable water for food preparation, drinking and bathing


11 Establish a method and system for temporary storage and disposal of recycling of all solid waste generated by the labor camp


12 Provide alternate fuel source for cooking or heating in any labor camp or base camp and do not allow the use of fuel wood from local forest


13

Ensure the storage of diesel fuel and lubricants are not located within 50 m of watercourses and operated so that no pollutants enter into the watercourse, either overland or through groundwater seepage, especially during the period of rain.


14 Locate concrete batching plant at least 200m away of any residence


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15 Provide medical and first aid facilities at each camp area Throughout the construction Contractor

16 Proper disposal of medical waste Throughout the construction Contractor

B. Security: Security measures will be in place to ensure the safe and secure running of the camp and its residence.

17 Provide access to construction camp only for residing workforce and construction camp employees and develop provision for prior approval from the camp manager for visitor access to the construction camp


18 Provision for adequate, day-time night-time lighting Throughout the construction Contractor

19 Provision and installation in all buildings of firefighting equipment and portable fire extinguisher


C Maintenance of camp facilities: Maintenance of camp facilities will be done to ensure that the construction camp and its facilities will be organized and maintained to acceptable and appropriate standard

20 Establish a designated camp cafeteria under strict sanitary and hygiene conditions


21 Establish designated meal time, rest time, recreational hours


22 Adequate lighting in latrine and urinals and maintain clean sanitary condition in all times


23 Provide clean water in the latrine all the times through tap or storage in drums


24 Provision for complain register to receive and respond to complaints from the construction camp residents regarding facilities and service provided


D

Code of conduct (Behavior): A major concern during a construction of the project is the potentially negative impact of the workforce interaction with local communities. For that reason, a Code of Conduct will be establish to outline the importance of the appropriate behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Each employee will be informed of the code of conduct and bound by it while in the employee of the client or its contractors. The code of conduct will address, but not limited the following measures;

25 Workers and subcontractors abide by the laws and regulation of Nepal

Throughout the construction Contractor , SKHP Management

26 Prohibit illegal substances, weapons, firearms, pornographic materials, gambling, alcohol and drug abuse

Throughout the construction and operation

Contractor , SKHP Management

27 Prohibit hunting and trading of wild animals Throughout the construction and operation


28 Prohibit disrespecting local customs and traditions Throughout the construction and operation


29 Prohibit smoking and sexual harassment in workplace Throughout the construction and operation


30 Take disciplinary action for those who don not comply with code of conduct, or the rules, regulation and procedures implemented at the camp

Throughout the construction and operation

Contractor , DoED/SKHP Management

The contractor will be responsible for the preparation of plan immediately after the contract award and site inspection. The plans will be checked to the adequacy as per the minimum requirements for the management of construction camps management and will be approved by the supervising engineers and the environmental officer before the start of the work. All plan documents will be kept in retrievable form by the project management office. One copy of the document will be at the Project Information Office. All data as per the plan will be kept in retrievable form by the contractor at its site office and will regularly furnish the information as demanded by the Supervising engineer and project environmental officer. For the operation phase, the project operation manager will prepare the plan

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and implement the plan and keep records of the implementation as required by the plan at retrievable form and present the report when demanded by the SKHP management or the external auditor.

9.2.3 Construction/operation impact management plan The objective of the construction/operation impact management plan is to avoid or minimize the impact from the project activities during pre-construction, construction and operation periods of the project. Both preventive and curative measures will be implemented as appropriate. A number of measures have been listed in the mitigation measures chaptersto minimize project impact on local environment and the community. Table 9.6 highlights the key features of the construction/operation impact management plan.

Table 9-6Construction/operation Impact Management Plan

SN Activities Timing of Actions Location Responsibilities

A Soil erosion, landslide and sedimentation control plan

1

Disturb as little ground area as possible, stabilize these areas as soon as possible, control drainage through the area, and trap sediment onsite. Install erosion control barriers around perimeter of cuts, disposal pits and roadways

Pre-construction/

Construction phase

All project sites

Contractor

2 Prepare and use topsoil management plan to collect fertile top soil before construction begin and use for later rehabilitation work

Pre-construction, construction phase

As appropriate in quarry and muck disposal sites

Contractor

3 Slope works and earth excavation works will be conducted in such a way that minimizes exposure of the soil surface both in terms of area and duration.

Construction phase

All project area

Contractor

4

Apply erosion control measures before the rainy season begins, preferably immediately following construction. Install erosion control measures as each construction site is completed.

Construction phase

Active construction

Contractor

5

In all construction sites, install sediment control structures where needed to slow or redirect runoff and trap sediment until vegetation is re-established. Sediment control structures include windrows of slash, rock beams, sediment catchment basins, straw bales, brush fences, and silt fences.

Construction phase

Active construction

Contractor

6 All surface excavation above 3m vertical height will be excavated through benching

Construction All project sites

Supervising engineer/Contractor

7 Control water flow through construction sites or disturbed areas with ditches, berns, check structures, live grass barriers, and rock.


Contractor

8 All project facility sites (camps, mechanical yards, storage facilities, muck disposal sites etc.) will have temporary drainage facilities to collect and discharge the runoff water safely to the natural water bodies.

Construction All project facility sites

Contractor

9

The access roads will be provided permanent side drain structures to collect water from the upslope area. The collected water of the side drains will be discharged to suitable natural waterway to avoid upstream and downstream erosion


Contractor

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SN Activities Timing of Actions

Location Responsibilities

11

Access roads across agricultural fields, provisions will be made to drain the slope water to the down slope agricultural land such that the water required for irrigation is not blocked with prior consultation and agreement with farmers

Construction

Access roads across agricultural fields

Contractor

12

Cleaning of the road side drains and other drainage structures regularly once before the onset of monsoon, twice during monsoon and once after the monsoon such that the drains are maintained to operate as designed and are not filled with the sediments derived from the side slopes

Construction Access roads and drainages in other areas

Contractor

13 Water will be sprayed as needed on earthen roads, cuts, and fill materials and stockpiled soil to reduce wind induced erosion and dirt

Construction/operation

Access road Contractor

14 Large changes in the landscape from quarries, spoil tips, etc will be landscaped and replanted, both to reduce erosion problems and to reduce the visual impact of construction


Contractor/SK-ECDU

15 Erosion control measures will be maintained until vegetation is successfully re-established.


All project sites

Contractor/ SK-ECDU

16 Monitoring of related activities

Pre-construction, construction /operation

All project sites as designated

SK-ECDU /Operation Manager

B Particulate emission and dust pollution abatement

17 Minimize production of dust and particulate materials at all times , to avoid impacts on surrounding communities

Construction phase

All project site

Contractor

18 Place screens around construction areas to minimize dust proliferation, paying particular attention to areas close to local communities

Construction phase

All project site

Contractor

19

Spray water as needed on dirt roads, cut areas and soil stockpiles or fill material, Spraying will be carried out in dry and windy days, at least twice a day (morning and afternoon). The frequency of spraying near local communities will be increased as needed.

Pre-construction/construction/operation

Dusty construction sites and roads

Contractor, Operation manager

20 The aggregate crushing sites and active construction sites will also be sprinkled regularly by water as to the requirement on the advice of supervising engineers

Construction period

Aggregate crushing site, and active construction site

Contractor

21 Pave access roads with gravel in sections which near the communities and other sensitive receptors to reduce generation of air-born dust


Access roads Contractor, operation manager

22

All persons at the construction sites, engineers and supervisors will be provided with Personal Protective Equipments-PPE (air masks, helmets and safety goggles as per OHS guideline) and provided OHS training at regular interval (once in 6 months)

Pre-construction,

construction, operation period

All construction sites


23 Ensure adequate maintenance of all vehicles, and machinery. Construction plant/vehicles and machinery that generate serious air pollution and those which are poorly maintained will not be allowed on site

Pre-construction/construction

All project sites

Contractor

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24 Monitoring of implementation of above activities

Pre-construction, construction and operation

All project sites

SK-ECDU

C Noise pollution abatement

25 Maintain established speed limit for all construction related traffic on project access road


All project access road

Contractor

26 Maintain on-site vehicle speeds at or below 30kph Pre-construction, construction, operation period

All project area

Contractor, Operation manager

27 Operation of noise generating construction activities in the day time zone as far as possible

Pre-construction, Construction period

All camps and active construction sites

Contractor

28 Prohibition in the blowing of horns in critical stretches close to villages and near the school area along the road

Pre-construction, Construction and operation period

Settlements and school areas

Contractor , Operation manager

29 To the extent possible, maintain noise level associated with all machinery and equipment at permissible level

Pre-construction/construction/operation

All project area

Contractor

30 Fitting of noise reducing equipments in the ventilators compressors and diesel generator sets


ventilator compressors and desiel generator sets

Contractor

31 In sensitive areas (including residential neighborhoods, hospitals, rest homes, schools, etc.) more strict noise abatement measures may need to be implemented to prevent undesirable noise levels.


All project area

Contractor

32 Concrete batching plants, generators and other equipment will be carefully placed as far away from local communities to reduce noise impacts from these machines

Construction All construction site

Contractor

33 Temporary noise barriers will be installed at the appropriate locations to avoid nighttime noise impacts,

Construction All noisy construction sites

Contractor

34

Notification boards will be posted at all construction sites providing information about the project, as well as contact information about the site managers, environmental staff, telephone numbers and other contact information so that any affected people can have a channel to voice their concerns and suggestions

Construction phase

All noisy construction sites

Contractor

35 People living within potentially impacted areas will be notified ahead of time of the length and noise intensity of the proposed nighttime construction.

Construction period

All noisy construction site

Contractor

Prepare construction equipment and vehicle maintenance plan to ensure avoidance of unnecessary noise creation during construction and vehicle movement

Pre-construction, construction and operation period

For all construction site

Contractor/SKHP operation manager

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36 Monitoring of implementation of above activities

Pre-construction, construction and operation period

All project site

SK-ECDU

D Blasting management plan

37 If possible avoid blasting, otherwise warn local communities and/or residents that could be disturbed by noise and vibration generating from blasting

Construction (prior to blasting period)

Blasting area Contractor

38 Prohibit blasting within 100 m of sensitive areas including residential, schools etc.

Construction period

All project area

Contractors

39 Blasting will not be carried out in adverse weather condition

Construction period

All project area

40

Before blasting is carried out, a detailed survey will be conducted at nearby communities to evaluate the degree of impacts due to the blasting activity (e.g. possible damage to structures or infrastructure due to vibration, effects on animals, local residents, etc

Construction period

Settlement/structures around the blasting area

Contractor, SK-ECDU

41 No blasting will be allowed during nighttime unless prior approval is obtained from the concern authority

Construction period

All project site

Contractor

42 All persons will be at least 200m away from the blasting point

Construction period(during blasting time)

All blasting areas

Contractor

43 Monitoring of implementation of above activities Construction period

Specified area SK-ECDU

E Handling of toxic and hazardous materials

44

All spent grease, diesel and Mobil and unused or date expired toxic chemicals will be collected separately in plastic drums and stored in a safe place under the shade.

Construction period

All specified construction area

Contractor

45 All empty containers of grease, diesel, Mobil, and toxic chemicals will be squeezed and stored in a safe place under the shade.

Construction period


Contractor

46

Unused chemicals, diesel,spent Mobil; grease will be discharged only after approval of the project environmental officer and his/her recommendation. Project area does not have a sanitary landfill in the nearby locality. The environmental officer in coordination with the contractor will identify some secured sites or will arrange disposal in sanitary landfill elsewhere depending upon the volume and toxicity of the waste.

Construction period


Contractor

Petroleum bunkers will be placed in a separate, concrete bunded area with a facility of oil and grease separator.

F Earthwork, cut and fill slope management

47 All earthwork will be properly controlled, especially during the rainy season


Contractor

48 Maintain stable cut and fill slopes at all times and cause the least possible disturbance to areas outside the prescribed limits of the works


Contractor

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46

In order to protect any cut or fill slopes from erosion, cut off drains and toe-drains will be provided at the top and bottom of slopes and be planted with grass or other plant cover. Cut off drains should be provided above high cuts to minimize water runoff and slope erosion


Contractor

47 Any excavated cut or unsuitable material will be disposed off in designated disposal areas as agreed to by the Environmental Supervisor

Construction Muck disposal sites

Contractor

48 Monitoring of above activities implementation Construction Specified area SK-ECDU

G Stockpiles and borrow pits management

49

Prepare overall Stockpile and Borrow Pits Management Plan for the total work. Operation of a new borrowing area, on land , in a river, or in an existing area, will be subject to prior approval of the Environmental Supervisor


All designated sites

Contractor

50 Avoid borrowing where it interface with natural drainage pattern

Construction All borrow pit area

Contractor

51

Crushing plant will not be located adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas such as steep slopes, erosion prone area, or to existing settlements and be operated with adequate dust control device

Construction All crushing plants

Contractors

52 Limit extraction of material to approved and demarcated borrow pits

Construction period

All borrow pits

Contractor

53 The rock or gravel taken from a river will not disturb the river flow, or damage or undermine the river banks.

Construction River banks Contractor

54 Stockpile topsoil prior to opening borrow pit and spread back the topsoil over the borrow area and maintain uniform surface with adequate slope for drainage

Construction Borrow pit Contractor

55

It will be ensure that all borrow pits used are left in an appropriate condition with stable side slopes, re-established of vegetation, restoration of natural water courses, avoidance of flooding of the excavated areas wherever possible so no stagnant water bodies are created

Construction Borrow pits Contractor

56 Once the job is completed all construction generated debris will be removed from the site to an approved disposal location

Construction All construction sites

Contractor

57 Monitoring of above activities implementation Pre-construction and construction

As specified SK-ECDU

H Construction waste and muck disposal

58 Establish and enforce daily site clean-up procedure, including maintenance of adequate disposal facilities for construction debris


Contractor, Environmental Supervisor

59 Muck and debris generated from the construction activities will be suitably reused, to the best extent possible. The disposal of remaining muck/debris will be carried out only in a designated site without impacting

Construction

All construction and disposal sites

Contractor, Environmental Supervisor

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forest, natural drainage, settlements, agriculture land and environmentally sensitive area.

60

Prior to start of muck disposal, make a plan for muck disposal plan, incorporating the most suitable stabilization techniques and get approval from environmental supervisor

Construction Muck disposal site

Contractor

61 Stabilize spoil disposal sites to avoid erosion by landscaping and plantation Construction

Muck disposal sites Contractor

62 Monitoring of related activities implementation Pre-construction, construction /operation


SK-ECDU, Operation Manager

I Water and land pollution abatement

62

Construction sites and workers camps at headworks, and powerhouse will be equipped with runoff drainages/ditchesand safety tanks during construction period and later improvised to suit to the local conditions in the operation period as permanent network OR will be safely closed. The runoff water collected will be safely discharged to the natural water bodies.

Construction Period

All construction sites

Contractor

63 All drainage networks at the construction sites and camp areas, spoil disposal sites etc will be maintained and kept functional at all times

Construction, operation Period

All project sites

Contractor, Operation management

64

All project facility sites (camps, mechanical yards, storage facilities, muck disposal sites etc.) will be facilitated with temporary drainage facilities to collect and discharge the runoff water after required treatment (sedimentation and oil and grease removal) safely to the natural water bodies.


All camp and facility sites

Contractor

65 The quarry operation will not be carried below the flowing water level of the river

Construction period Quarry site Contractor

66 Flood plain quarrying will be carried out only in the dry season i.e from November through May only

Construction period

Quarry site Contractor

67 Construction waste such as cement and concrete slurry will not be discharged to the river water.

Construction period

Headwork, powerhouse

Contractor

68

The tunnel seepage water discharges will be collected in settling tanks/ponds outside the portal areas in a suitable location for sedimentation and treatment before final discharge (minimum water retention time of the tanks will be 2 hours)

Construction period

Tunnel discharge points

Contractor

69

The water discharged from aggregate washing plant will be collected in settling tanks/ponds at suitable location for sedimentation and treatment (minimum water retention time of the tanks will be 2 hours)

Construction period

Aggregate waste water discharge point

Contractor

70 All spent Grease and Mobil and unused or date expired toxic chemicals will be collected separately in plastic drums and stored in a safe place under the shade

Pre-construction, Construction /operation

All construction sites, camps and other facility

Contractor /Operation manager

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sites/operation

71 All containers of the Grease, Mobil, and toxic chemicals will be punctured and stored in a safe place under the shade


All construction sites, camps and other facility sites/ powerhouse

Contractor/Operation manager

72 The unused chemicals, spent Mobil, Grease etc. will discharged only with the approval of the project environment and community development unit

Pre-construction, Construction period and operation period

All construction sites, camps and other facility sites

Contractor /operation manager

73 The petroleum bunkers will be placed in a separate area in a concrete bounded area with the facility of oil and grease separator


Storage yards Contractor

74 The waste water from the mechanical yards will be collected in a separate area. The water will be treated for the oil and grease and then released into the water bodies.

Construction period

Mechanical yard waste water discharge point

Contractor

75

Provisioning of adequate toilet facilities will be made in the camps and active construction sites. The toilet waste of the camps will be drained to a single treatment facility in each camp. The treated water will only be released to the nearby area.


All camps and active construction sites

Contractor

76

Open defecation will be prohibited in and around the construction sites, camp sites and in the river bank area. Hoarding sign boards will be placed in the construction camps, and active construction sites.


In areas surrounding the construction sites

Contractor

78

A solid waste collection and storage system will be established in all the construction related camps and construction sites. The collected waste will be segregated as to the property of the waste as degradable, glass, metals, plastics, cloths and leather etc and will be stored in separate bounded areas. These materials will be disposed as to the recommendations and approval of the project environment and community development unit


All camps and active construction sites/Operation camps

Contractor / Operation Manager

19

Garbage containers of adequate size will be placed at critical places in the construction related camps and construction sites. The garbage will be collected daily for segregation and storage as outlined above

Pre-construction, Construction, Operation

All camps and active construction sites/Operation camp

Contractor /Operation Manger

80 Monitoring of above activities implementation Pre-construction, Construction, Operation

As designated SK-ECDU

J Terrestrial ecosystem management plan

81 Provision of kerosene/LPG to the outside workforce for cooking

Pre-construction, construction

Construction workers of all project sites

Contractor

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82 Provision for camp lodging to the outside workforce with a common LPG cooking facility


All outside construction workers camp

Contractor

83 Prohibition on the sale and purchase of the local NTFP, wildlife products in the camps


All project locations

SK-ECDU, Contractor,

Operation Manager

84 Prohibition in roaming in the local forest area by the outside workforce


Surrounding areas of project site

SK-ECDU, Contractor,

Operation Manager

85 Clearing of the forest vegetation as to the requirement of project structures and facilities only

Construction

All permanently occupied forest areas

SK-ECDU, Contractor

86 Clearing of the forest vegetation and stockpiling the vegetation products before handover:

Construction


SK-ECDU, Contractor

87

Compensatory plantation as per the Work Procedure Regarding Use of National Forest Area for Projects of National Priority, 2074(plantation in 1:25 ratio of felled trees) and management of plantation site for 5 years

Construction and Operation

Areas as designated by the District Forest Office

SKHP Management

88 Lease Compensation to the Forest Land Area Construction and Operation


SKHP Management, Operation Manager

89 Technical and Financial assistance to the affected forest user groups

Construction

Project affected community forest and leasehold forest

SK-ECDU

90

Inform in time to the local authorities, Ward chairperson, DNPWC office, Community forest user groups, Buffer Zone forest user groups and the forest range post office, if it finds the forest area is encroached close to the construction site

Construction Surrounding forests of the project site

SK-ECDU

91 Assist the local authorities in the protection works of the forest areas close to the construction sites.

Construction Surrounding areas of the project site

SK-ECDU

92 Placed hording boards at critical location of the access road on the preventive actions to control the forest fire


SK-ECDU

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93 Organize public awareness programs to prevent the forest fires in the local area


Contractor/ SK-ECDU

94 Regularly inform project workers not to throw lighted cigarette tips in the forest areas and not to use forest area as picnic spots


Contractor/ SK-ECDU

95 Compliance and impact monitoring of the related activities as per monitoring plan


All sites as designated

SK-ECDU /Operation Manager

K Aquatic Environment Management Plan

96 Restriction on fishing activities by the construction workforce on the Sankhuwa, Sisuwa and Arun River

Pre-construction and construction

Sankhuwa, Sisuwa and Arun River

SK-ECDU, Contractor

97 Implementation of the activities of Water and land pollution abatement

Pre-construction, Construction and operation

All project sites

SK-ECDU, Contractor

98 Restriction on the use of poisons, electrical gears and explosive for fish capture

Pre-construction, Construction and operation

Sankhuwa, Sisuwa and Arun River

Contractor, operation manager

99

Although no fish was found in the project area, the weir should be designed and constructed in a way that the weir should allow fish migration during the wet monsoon season if in the future any such migration required to newly introduced fish in the downstream projects

Design/Construction/ Operation

Headworks

Design engineers/supervising engineers/ operation manager

100 Prohibition on the discharge of muck/spoil into the river bed and aggregate mining on the wet river channel

Construction All construction and quarry

Contractor

101 Design and build a structure in intake to ensure release of 10% of the mean monthly flow in downstream low flow zone

Design, construction and operation phase

Barrage

Design and Supervising engineer, operation manager

102

Assit the local communties for the improvement of the on site sanitation management and in the use of agrochemicals in the Sankhuwa catchment area on regular basis

Construction, Operation

Project surrounding settlements

SK-ECDU, Operation manger

103 Restriction on the unnecessary activities like washing vehicles in the dewatered section in the dry season (November through May)

Operation Dewatered stretch

Operation Manager

104 Monitoring of related activities as per monitoring plan

Pre-construction/construction and operation


SK-ECDU, operation manager

L Public and Occupational Health and Safety Plan

105 Prepare and enforce a occupational health and safety plan to address matters regarding the health and safety of construction/operation workers and project staff

Pre- construction/con

All project sites

Contractor/operation manager

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struction/operation

106 Protection of every person(workers and local people including pedestrian) and nearby property from construction related accident


All project sites

Contractor

107 Prepare maximum permissible vehicular speed on each section of the road

Pre-construction, construction/operation

Project access road


108

Place signs around the construction areas to facilitate traffic movement, provide direction to various components of the works, and provide safety advice and warnings.

Construction

Access road and construction sites

Contractor

109 Appropriate danger signs in all active construction sites work areas as to the degree of risk in the site

Construction All active construction sites

Contractor

110 Fencing of all construction sites and restriction on entry to the outsiders others than authorized person


Contractor

111 Be responsible for any damage to local roads and bridges due to the transportation of excessive loads and repair such damage

Construction Access road Contractor

112 In school area use traffic safety personnel to direct traffic during school hours

Construction Access road Contractor

113 Conduct safety training for construction workers prior to beginning works


Access road Contractor/operation manager

114 Insurance of workers Pre-construction/operation

All workers Contractor/operation manager

115 Regular trainings to operation staffs as required on occupation health and safety issues and preparedness along with emergency drills

Operation period

All operation staffs and workers

Operation Manager

116 Provide personal protective equipments and clothing (gloves, goggles, respirators, dust masks, hard hats, steel toed boots, etc) for workers and enforce their use


All project sites


117 Suspend all works during heavy rains or emergencies of any kind


All project sites


118 Screening of all workers health on recruitment and annually


All construction workers


119 Provision of health checkups to the local public Construction People of surrounding settlement

Contractor, SK-ECDU

120 Establish facilities for early diagnosis and treatment of patients with the disease

Construction, operation

All project sites


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121 Collecting and testing of sputum of individuals who are at risk for Tuberculosis(TB) infection


All project sites


122 Storing sufficient medicines and transfusion fluids for treatment of respiratory infection, food poisoning and diarrhea


All project sites


123 Develop solution for mass outbreaks of food poisoning Construction, operation

All project sites


124 Periodic monitoring of kitchen hygiene and sanitary condition in the camp


Camps canteen and project sites


125 Implementation of a disease control and pest management measures in camp area


All camp area Contractor, operation manager

126 Implementation of a program for the detection and screening of sexually transmitted infectious, especially with regard to HIV/AIDS, amongst workers


All camp area Contractor, operation manager

127

Establish a medical centre at the main construction camp for the diagnosis and treatment of communicable disease, simple medical complaints, and the handling of medical emergencies and accidents

Construction Major camp Contractor, SK-ECDU

128 Ensure availability of subsidiary treatment or first aid post staff by either a trained nurse or a locally trained personnel in all small construction camp, as required

Construction Small construction camps

Contractor, SK-ECDU

129

Provide appropriate information and education to the workforce on basic personal hygiene, prevention of disease, including respiratory disease, vector-born disease, diarrhea, STDs like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis etc.

Construction All construction camps

Contractor

130 Provision for adequate disposal of medical waste from the clinics and from any other activities undertaken by the medical staff

Construction All construction camps

Contractor

131 Water supply facility with a treatment unit Construction All project camps

Contractor

132 Establishment and construction waste and garbage collection system and management


Contractor

133 Monitoring of compliance and impact related to the above as activities

Pre-construction Areas as designated

SK-ECDU

The contractor will prepare an impact management plan incorporating the minimum provisions listed above and in the mitigation chapter of this EIA report. This plan will be submitted to the project management office for prior approval of the concerned environmental officer before the start of the project construction works. The approved impact management plan of the contractor will be document and placed in the public information center at the site office as a reference document.

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9.2.4 Other Management Plan In order to implement the project in environmentally and socially sensible manner, apart from environment management plan mention above, the project proponent and the construction contractor is responsible for preparing the following plans:

9.2.4.1 Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan The objective of this plan is to ensure that the effects of acquiring land, property and community resources acquisition on the livelihood of the affected parties and individuals are addressed adequately and in time prior to the start of the project construction in an amicable and conducive environment with mutual consensus and agreement. Any grievances of the affected parties will be handled to the satisfaction of the affected parties or individuals through proper information sharing. The main elements of the R&R Plan are presented in Table 9.7.

Table 9-7 Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Plan

SN Actions Timing of Action Responsibility

1

Identification of the owners of the land and private properties , land plot numbers and re-verification of landownership or parties traditionally using land without land certificates, if any

Pre-construction (6 months before construction)

SKHP Management in co-ordination with concern parties

2 Decision on compensation and rehabilitation packages in policy compliance with R&R report of the project


SKHPManagement in negotiation with affected parties

3 Award of compensation and rehabilitation packages to the affected parties and individuals


SKHPManagement

4 Evacuation of the owners from the land, if any

Pre-construction (At least three months will be given to the affected parties to remove their belongings if any)

SKHPManagement in co-ordination with local government bodies

5 Handling of grievances of the affected parties and individuals

During land/property acquisition and construction

SKHPManagement/

6 Monitoring of the implementation of R&R Pre-construction and construction

SK-ECDU

The R&R plans will be prepared by the SKHP management at least three months before the start of land and property acquisition. All the documents will be public disclosed. A copy of the report will be placed at the Information Center at the site and can be access in request by concern parties.

9.2.4.2 Environmental Awareness and Training Plan

The objective of the environmental training plan is to make aware and educate the project management team, engineers, supervisors, contractors and the workforce on the environmental issues of the project on how each individual could contribute in the upkeep of the environmental resources of the project area. Besides, the trainings will also focus on the key responsibilities of the individuals involved in project management for environmental related decision making on implementation, monitoring, reporting and corrective actions.

Since environmental management is a continuous process, apart from the general training to the managers and engineers of project management and contractors, a trainers training will be provided to the section heads responsible of the SK-ECDU. The contractor in co-ordination with the SK-ECDU will organize awareness and training program to the staff: sub-contractors and key representatives of the contractors on environmental legislation, approvals and permits and environmental issues and measures to abate the negative impacts during the respective period.

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The training will also focus on the Operational Health and Safety (OHS), emergency response measures, reporting and complaint handling procedures and other safety measures to be adopted during the construction period. The Environmental awareness and Training Plan is presented in Table 9.8.

Table 9-8 Environmental Awareness and Training Plan

SN Actions Target Groups Timing of Action

Responsibility

1 Orientation and Environmental Training related to SKHP including OHS

Project decision Making Contractor Management Team

Pre-construction

SK-ECDU in co-ordination with environmenal consultant

3

Orientation and Environmental Trainers Training related to SKHPwith focus on mitigation and monitoring actions (EMP Implementation) including OHS requirements

Representative of the contractor and SK-ECDU

Pre-construction

SKHP Management in co-ordination with environmental consultant

5

Orientation and environmntal training to the project operators on oil handling, storage, and recycling, occupational health and safety, and emergency prepardness

Project operation team

At the begining of the operation phase

SKHP Management in co-ordination with the electro-mechanical contractor and environmental consultant

The environmental awareness and trainings will be provided at least a month before the start of the actual construction works. For the operation phase such training will be provided before the handover of the electromechanical facilities to the SKHP management. All training materials and the staffs taking training will be documented and a copy of the document will be kept in the public information center in the respective office at the site.

9.2.4.3 Accident and Emergency Management Plan

The Accident and Emergency Management Plan need to be prepared to handle unforeseen events during emergency operations. This emergency management plan highlights some key feature of the emergency preparedness in the event of such unforeseen events (Table 9.9).

Table 9-9 Accident and Emergency Management Plan

SN

Activities Timing of Actions Location Responsibilities

1

Prepare and submit accident and emergency management plan to be adopted including emergency response method to SK-ECDUfor approval

Pre-construction(at least a month before starts of construction work)

Contractor

2 Approval on such plan with or without modification

Pre-construction SK-ECDU

3 Provision of helipad for emergency evacuation of injured or other people

Pre-construction Construction site

Contractor

4

Establish and operate health clinic/dispensary within the camps. Ensure health service facilities are equipped with sufficient capacity to serve the maximum workforce size and are maintained in good and clean order by the appointed authorized medical doctors and health workers

Construction Construction site

Contractor

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9.2.4.4 Traffic and Access Management Plan There is an increased risk of accidents due to increased traffic during the construction phase. The Contractor will arrange special provision of traffic management and road safety measures to avoid traffic congestion and road accidents during construction. The plan will include activities presented in the Table 9.10.

Table 9-10 Traffic and Access Management Plan

SN Activities Timing of Actions Responsibilities

1 Identification and preparation of sites for the parking of the project vehicles (off the road site)

Pre- construction(Start of construction preparation at site)

Contractor in coordination with SK-ECDU

2

Preparation of a Guideline for construction vehicle operation (speed, use of horn, parking on the road and off the road etc.) and meet pollution criteria green stickers, Transport Emergencies, timing of movement, traffic personel deployment


Supervising engineer , SK-ECDU

3 Speed bumps to limit the vehicle speed in the school and market areas



5 Proper implementation of OHS plan, Public and Occupational Health and Safety Plan

As designated in the plan

As designated in the plan


6 Provision of standby ambulance to evacuate the injured at the earliest to project site hospital

Construction Powerhouse and headwork area

Contractor

7 Provision of stabilizing equipments and facilities to the injured before he/she could be moved to the nearest hospital with good facilities

Construction

Project Hospital , Health care facility

Contractor

8 Provision of medical stock particularly for water borne diseases to tackle the epidemic in the camp or in the villages surrounding the project site

Construction Construction site health camp

Contractor

9 Provision of firefighting equipment and regular fire fighting trainings and drills at least once in six months


Construction site/ powerhouse area

Contractor, Operation Manager

10

Provision of sirens to inform the people of the emergencies (fire hazards, blasting operations, chemical hazard, traffic accidents, earthquake etc.) and drill operations


Powerhouse, camp sites, Headworks, Tunnel portals

Contractor , Operation manager

11

Emergency preparedness training and on drill operation (floods, release of water from dam, epidemic outbreak, earthquake etc.) at least every 6 months

Construction, Operation

All project site/ powerhouse and headwork and dewatered stretch

Contractor, Operation Manager

12 Monitoring of the above activities Construction,

Operation As designated

SK-ECDU/ Operation Manager

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SN Activities Timing of Actions Responsibilities

4 Warning signals at appropriate locations Pre-construction (Start of construction preparation at site)


5 Training to the drivers involve in construction works to avoid and take precautions on vehicular accidents


6 Awareness program related to road safety and vehicular accidents to the local communities


7

Regular maintenance of access road up to the standards required for compliance of environmental limits of air pollution and noise and vibration levels


9 Monitoring of compliance of above activities Pre-construction and construction SK-ECDU

The SK-ECDU will monitor on the implementation of traffic and access management plan and guide the Contractor through the project office to adopt the measures accordingly.

Site restoration plan

The primary objective of the plan is to rehabilitate the affected land area, facilities, construction sites, muck/spoil disposal sites, quarry sites, storage and mechanical yards, temporary camp sites, solid and liquid waste storage and treatment sites etc once the construction works and its utility for the construction period is over in the designated site. This activity is envisaged to clean up the pollution created by the construction activities on land, water and air and help to restore the general aesthetic of the area similar to pre-construction period. The key highlights of the plan are presented in Table 9.11.

Table 9-11 Site Restoration Plan


1

Prepare a site restoration plan including landscaping re-vegetation plan particularly for those locations where severe or high landscape and visual impact are expected


All impaired sites Contractor, SK-ECDU

2

Rehabilitate the excavated slopes of the construction areas using appropriate bio-engineering, plantation/vegetation

Post-Construction

Access roads, headworks, tunnel portals, penstock area, powerhouse, tailrace

Contractor

3

Rehabilitate the drainage networks as to the requirement (some area might need strengthening while in some it might have to demolished completely to give the land and drainage to natural condition)

Post-Construction

Access roads, headworks, camps, storage area, powerhouse, muck and spoil disposal sites etc

Contractor

4

Demolish all unnecessary structures, their foundations, and clean up and reclaim the sites to pre-construction phase

Post-construction

Temporary residential camps, storage and mechanical yards, batching plant, aggregate crushers, and washing plants, waste water treatment sites of tunnel

Contractor

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and aggregate washout discharges etc.

5

Rehabilitate the muck disposal site with proper drainage facility as per approved plan. Use the saved top soil on the top of the muck sites to develop the land in an usable land for afforestation/ or other purpose as per the recommendation of the SK-ECDU

Post-Construction Muck deposal site Contractor

6 Rehabilitate quarry and borrow pits area in such that puddles and depressions are not left out

Post-construction Quarry area Contractor

7 Remove oil and fuel cont contaminated and buried in waste disposal area

8

Landscape all affected area and cover with grasses and vegetation as appropriate without delay

Post-construction All affected area Contractor

9 Clean up of all sites and dispose excess materials properly

Post-construction All project area Contractor

10 Properly cover and effectively sealed off all soak pits and septic tanks

Post-construction All soak pits and septic tanks

Contractor

11

Handover the temporary land acquired sites to the respective owner and get a certificate of handover for submission to SK-ECDU

Post -construction Quarry Area /Labor camps

Contractor

The site restoration with the above provisions will be prepared by the contractor including the provisions listed in the mitigation chapter in EIA and agreement with the private parties by the contractor at least a year before the closer of the construction works. The environmental officer will review and approve the document with needed changes. This document will be placed in the public information center as reference document for monitoring.

9.2.4.5 Compliant Handling Plan

The project company will establish complain handling procedures to allow Project Affected Persons (PAPs) to appeal any disagreeable decisions, practices and activities arising from compensation for land and assets. There is the potentiality for two types of complains: complains related to land/property loss and complains related to compensation or entitlement. During construction, the contractor will promptly inform the complaints received from individuals or communities or institutions in written or verbal to the liaison officer, for necessary actions. Complaints received during the period must record and maintained in a separate book with the following details:

Nature and type of complaints,

Type of communication (written or verbal),

Date and time of complainant, and

Name and address of the complainer.

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9.2.5 Contractor’s Responsibility for Environmental and Social Compliance as per EMP

The contractor is responsible to prepare the following plans as stipulated in EMP and its subsequent obligations under each plan. The plans will be inclusive in a broader Environmental Management and Execution Plan (EMEP) of contractor to be submitted by the contractor to the client. The project management will include the above provision in the contract document as priority clause for compliance and costing as required. The EMEP will be approved prior to the implementation of contractor’s mitigation obligations or as per deadline highlighted in the contract document.

2. The contractor should prepare EMEP and submitted to the engineer or SKHP management within 60 days of mobilization of the contract.

3. The plans to be submitted by the contractor in EMEP includes:

Construction camps management plan,

Temporaryland acquisition plan,

Air, water, land and noise pollution abatement plan,

Terrestrial and aquatic ecology management plan,

Soil erosion, landslide, and sedimentation control plan

Blasting management plan

Stockpile and borrow pits management plan

Construction waste and muck/spoil management plan,

Public and occupational health and safety plan,

Environmental awareness and training plan,

Accident and emergency management plan,

Traffic and access management plan

Site restoration plan,

Complain handling plan

4. The implementation modality of above plans will be clearly mentioned by the contractor in EMEP.

5. The implementation modality will include the organizational structure of EMEP implementers, timeframe, methods, monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

The minimum obligation of the contractor to be included in each of the specified plans will be as per the basis features of plans discussed above and mitigation section of the EIA report and should include details of actions, timing of actions andredress mechanism in the event of failure to comply with the actions.

9.2.6 Environmental Management Activities – Implementing Organ

9.2.6.1 Project Stakeholders and their Roles and Responsibilities for Environmental Management

Key stakeholders including SKHP, to be involved directly and indirectly in the environment management of the project are:

i. Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE);

ii. Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation (MOEWRI)

iii. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC);

iv. Department of Forest and its line District Offices

v. The Proponent(DoED)

a. Environmental Officer /Supervisor (EO)

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vi. Supervising Engineers (SE);

vii. Construction Contractor (CC);

viii. Affected Wards, Rural Municipalities and District Coordination Committee etc. ix. Non-government Organizations, Community Based Organizations, Department of

National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Community Forest User Groups, Buffer Zone User Groups and other User Groups, etc.

The main roles and responsibilities of different parties in the various phases of project development are briefly presented in Table 9.12.

Table 9-12 Roles and Responsibilities of the Stakeholders

SN Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities Time Schedule

1 MoFE/MOEWRIDOED

Review and final approval of EIA

Licensing and give permission for Project Implementation

Review project design and contract documents , against approved EIA measures and national environmental standards and give comments for corrective actions

Review of periodic monitoring reports of project construction and operation and taking of necessary actions in case of non compliance

Field supervision once a year during construction and provide inputs to the SKHP management

Conduction of environmental audit during operation

EIA approval

After approval of EIA

Before contract bidding

As and when required construction and operation phases

Once a year

After two years of operation

2 DFO/DNPWC Review and comments on EIA for Final approval of EIA

Give approval and permission for forest clearance of

the national forest land

Assist proponent in pegging, measuring and evaluation of the forest resources of the affected forest stretch

Review of monitoring reports of project construction and operation and give comments for corrective actions related to forest and ecology

Assist the proponent in identification of compensatory afforestation areas as per the plans of the district

Advise and assist the proponent in the forestry awareness program

Supervision of construction sites nearby forest areas and provide input to the SKHP management during construction.

Prior to EIA

After approval of EIA

Pre-construction phase





Twice a year

3 Proponent and its institutional line offices

Approval of EIA from MoFE

Ensure that the EIA mitigation measures are

incorporated in the final project design and tender documents of project construction and operation

Acquire necessary permits and approval for project

construction and operation

Prior to generation license

Prior to contract award

Before construction

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Ensure that the project construction and operation activities are in accordance with EIA and other GON legislative requirements.

Monitoring and record keeping regarding environmental measures and impacts.

Ensure public participation and involvement in project implementation and operation.

Compilation of environmental monitoring and performance report and dispatch for review through proponent to stakeholders

Compilation of Environmental monitoring and performance report of construction activity and dispatch for review through proponent to stakeholders

Compilation of Environmental monitoring and performance report of operation activity and dispatch for review to stakeholders

During construction, and operation phase

During construction, and operation

During construction, and operation.

Every 2 month during construction

Once within 3 months of construction completion

Once in three months for the first two years of operation

4 Environmental Supervisors

Elaborate EMP, if necessary and assist field engineers on the site inspection before approval of detail EMP

Supervision of baseline, compliance and impact monitoring of construction contractor's activities as per responsibilities in the contract document and advise the proponent and Supervising engineers for needed actions at the site in regular environmental management meetings.

Preparation of monitoring report as mentioned in EMP with a list of compliance and non-compliance works with recommendations

Site inspection and monitoring of contractor’s performance on meeting the provisions of tender documents and EMP

Monitoring of the effectiveness of enhancement measures and mitigation measures

Recommendation for necessary action for non-compliance of the works as per the tender documents and EMP

Prepare environmental monitoring report of the project construction and forward to the proponent for review to the stakeholder


Regularly during construction phase (daily, weekly, monthly)

Regularly during construction phase

Daily, weekly and monthly during construction



Bi-monthly during construction and after three months of the project construction completion.

5 Construction Supervising Engineers

Supervise the construction works as per the provisions of EIA and direct construction contractor in consultation with the environmental officer/supervisor for the environmental improvement

Preside monthly Environmental Management and Health and Safety Meetings of the supervising engineers, contractors and Environmental Engineers


Monthly during construction

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and maintain the records for implementation status and needed corrective actions

6 Construction Contractor

Prepare a detail EMP for minimization of construction related impact and seek a prior approval

Ensure all preparatory works are carried out as per the tender document

Implement mitigation measures as specified in EIA, EMP or as instructed by supervising engineer

First hand monitoring and record keeping of environmental mitigation measures implemented and their performance

Carry out all corrective actions or other instruction given by supervising engineers



Daily during construction phase

Regularly during construction phase.


7 Affected DCC, Rural MunicipalitiesWards, CBOs, NGOs, CFUGs, BZUGs

Ensure that land /property acquisition, compensation, resettlement and rehabilitation have been carried out as per the approved EIA reports and existing laws

Ensure that the local level complaints are adequately address

Provide recommendations to the proponent with comments and suggestions and assist proponent in the project implementation

Assist in public consultation awareness building organized by the proponent

Ensure that the priority to local –level employment, involvement of DCC,Wards, Rural Municipalities in the project implementation have been meet as per the EIA

Assist and provide suggestions to the proponent in the matters related to community mobilization

Review of monitoring reports of project construction and operation and give comments for corrective actions

Ensure that transparency in the project activities are maintained by all the concerned stakeholders as per report and commitments


Pre-construction, construction and operation phase

Prior to proposal implementation

During construction and operation

During construction and operation phase

During construction and operation


Regularly during construction and operation

To effectively integrate the various stakeholders of Environmental Management of SKHPan institutional framework for different phases of project development and implementation is established. The objective of the institutional framework is to establish linkages of the various stakeholders such that project activities are taken forward through a linear command and control, while inputs from the various stakeholders are taken and internalized in the project implementation at various levels of the institutions.

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9.2.6.2 Institutional Arrangement SKHP will be the primary agency to plan, implement and monitor the project related environmental activities as outlined in EIA/EMP. The proponent will establish a separate Sankhuwa Khola Environmental and Community Development Unit (SK-ECDU) as an integral part of the project to ensure proper implementation of mitigation measures and monitoring. On the basis of EPR, 1997, MoFE is responsible to carry out environmental auditing after two years of service provided by the project. The proponent will implement environment protection measures itself or through the involvement of the contractor and its supervision may be done by hiring a consultant.

The SK-ECDU will focus on compliance monitoring, record keeping and providing technical inputs to the contractors. The SK-ECDU will also prepare a report on the impact monitoring. The proponent will conduct environmental monitoring through its SK-ECDU or might hire an independent monitoring team for impact monitoring. The SK-ECDU will work independently and the proponent will ensure its independence on technical matters. The SK-ECDU will consult DCC, Ward, DFO, FUGs, BZUGs of project Districts and project affected areas as necessary. The details of the organizational chart with necessary manpower are presented in Figure 9-1.

Figure 9-1 Organization Chart and Staffing of the Environmental Management Unit of SKHP Hydropower Project

Sankhuwa Khola-Environmental and Community DevelopmentUnit SK-

ECDU

Environmental Management Team/Professional Staff

Environmental coordinator/Team Leader

Environmental monitoring officer

Socio-economist

Forester/biologist

Support Staff

Construction, supervision and monitoring team

Responsibility

Technical assistance to project design team especially in environmental aspects

Proper implementation of EPMs

Carry out monitoring works

Look after the proper implementation of budget included in EIA report for mitigation and enhancement measures

Technical Team

(Design Team)

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9.2.6.3 Monitoring/auditing and Keeping Performance Record and Reporting Requirements

To demonstrate compliance with the environment health and safety management, the proponent will instruct the construction contractors through supervising engineer to maintain daily records of his/her mitigation implementation and monitoring works at its office during the construction phase. Apart from this contractors will keep records of the employment of the project PAF, local area people, Nepali and foreigner and will submit such records to the Supervising Engineers every month. Similarly records of occupational health will also be documented submitted to Supervising Engineer every month. Besides, records of instructions, trainings, and land area rented with agreements will also be submitted to the Supervising Engineers regularly. Similarly, the SK-ECDUwill maintain all the records of tree felled, land area acquired, and expenses of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other environmental enhancement programs implemented.

The SK-ECDUwill carry out monitoring/auditing works of the activities of the construction contractors. The retrievable records of contractors will be kept by the SK-ECDUand forwarded to the project engineer. SK-ECDUin coordination with the Supervising Engineer will fix dates for monthly meetings on Environmental management, and Health and safety with the contractor. Such meetings will be chaired by Supervising Engineers, while the Environment Manager of unit will also be present in the meeting. Environmental Manger will brief on the project performance related to environment and social issues and flag issues to be resolved in the construction sites with recommendations on corrective actions. The corrective actions and reporting will have the followings:

Identification of incidences of non-compliance

In case of non-compliance, identification of responsible person of the proponent/contractor to take necessary actions

Recommend actions for compliance with specific timelines for compliance and person responsible for compliance

The meetings deliberation and agreements with the contractors will be recorded and signed for future actions. As per the requirement, the environmental manager will send the corrective actions to be taken by the contractor through supervising engineer.

The bi-monthly reports produced by the SK-ECDU will be distributed to the concerned stakeholders for their comments and suggestions.

The SK-ECDU will compile the environmental monitoring/auditing report of the construction phase within 3 months of the construction completion and submit to proponent. Proponent will pass the report to stakeholders to get feedback and provide database of environmental management works of the Proposal for future use.

In the operation phase, the Operation Manager, will keep records of the mitigation and monitoring as required at site office. Once a year, the Operation Manager will prepare a compiled report of the project operation. The report will be passed to the concerned stakeholders for comments and suggestions. The operation management office will carry out any recommendations and suggestion of the concerned stakeholders.

Apart from this, there will be provision of external monitoring of environmental and social safeguard activities of SKHP. An independent monitoring will be done at least once a year by a designated specialist.The external monitoring by the developer and the funding agency, if any will be scheduled as per their requirements, and as and when necessary.

9.3 Environmental Audit As per the Environment Protection Rules, 1997, the environmental audit of SKHP will begin only after two years of the completion of the project. The SKHP will make necessary arrangements for this Audit through GON or its nominated auditor.

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The role of the environmental auditor is to identify environmental change arising from the project and to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures adopted, suggesting additional measures where appropriate. The environmental auditor needs to record the nature and scale of actual changes to baseline conditions and compare them with the predicted impacts. Where mitigation measures have been adopted, some assessment of their effectiveness must be made. Where measures are inadequate or impacts unforeseen, a strategy for restoration needs to be formulated in consultation with the relevant bodies. It is also essential that the effectiveness of mitigation measures be assessed over time to ensure that temporary stopgap solutions are not employed and that any gradual, but potentially serious, deterioration in environmental quality is detected.

The function of the environmental audit may, therefore, be summarized as follows:

Verify compliance with the stated mitigation/performance targets

Verify compliance with relevant environmental legislation

Ensure minimum human exposure to environmental risk

Advice on environmental improvements

Liaise closely with the parties involved in the monitoring process and initiate a counterpart program for the audit to ensure institutionally memory;

Review the overall success of the project in relation to its environmental goals and suggest where improvements in procedure could be made in the future.

9.3.1 Environmental Audit Framework for SKHP

Table 9-13 Environmental Audit for SKHP

SN Parameters Location Methods Indicators

A Physical Aspects

1 Change in river morphology

Low flow zone in between dam and powerhouse

Inspection Bank erosion, sediment deposition patterns

2 Water Quality Dam site and powerhouse Water sampling and laboratory analysis

DO, pH, BOD, coliform, turbidity

3 Air Quality Nearby settlements and project access road

Analysis of air samples TSP , PM10and PM2.5

4 Watershed Dam site, road, powerhouse site

Observation Eroded and unstable area

5 Land use pattern Dam site, powerhouse and in the Vicinity

Inspection Change in the Land use

6 Minimum release Downstream of weir Measurement of discharge in low flow zone

Water volume low flow zone

B Biological Aspects

7 Vegetation cover (increase and decrease)

Project site Counting and visual observation

Change in the forest cover

8 Compensatory plantation Plantation site Observation, interview

Newly established plantation sites

9 Numbers of trees felled Project site Counting and visual observation

Number of cut trees stumps

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SN Parameters Location Methods Indicators

10 Wild life affected Project site

Interview with local people and observation, Photographs

Decrease in the wild life seen, wild animals meet in the local market

12 Fish migration Sankhuwa Khola

Sampling at the project sites and interviewed with fisherman

Species if fish in the river (increased or decreased)

C Socio-economic and cultural Aspects

13 Economic status of the affected people(present and past income)

Project affected site Questionnaire survey and interview, observation

Change in income and expenditure pattern

14 Local employment Project site Questionnaire survey and interview

Change in income and expenditure pattern, status of the affected people,

15 Community development works

Project site Records from the local offices, observation

Numbers of development works, number of shops increased and decreased

16 Occupational health and safety

Project site Records Number and type of accidents/diseases

17 Water supply and sanitation

Project site Records and observation

Epidemic, complaints

18 Local culture and traditions

Project site Questionnaire survey and interview, observation

Changes in local culture and traditions

9.3.2 Environmental Auditing Schedule

As per EPR, 1997 environmental audit will be carried out one time after two years of operation of the project.

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CHAPTER 10

ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION, MONITORING, AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT COSTS

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10 ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION, MONITORING, AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT COSTS

This section presents the required costs for the project environmental mitigation, monitoring and auditing for environmental management of the project, which the project will ensure to invest as a part of the project costs.

10.1 Cost for Environmental Mitigation Table 11-1 presents the project environmental mitigation and enhancement cost for construction and operation periods. The cost items presented in the table are only for the items which are not customarily included in the costs of a project.

Table 10-1 Environmental Mitigation and Enhancement Cost

SN Mitigation Action Estimated Cost (NRs)

Remarks

A Physical and biological environment

A1 Construction Phase

Reclaiming of the muck disposal area and quarry site area

1,000,000 The amount is included in the Project Cost

Prior survey of house structures along the tunnel alignment

300,000

Provision of compensation in the event of damage to structures

2,500,000 The amount is included in the Project Cost

Survey of spring location and discharge measurement 300,000

Temporary water supply arrangements in the event of the affect on use springs

600,000

Bio-engineering works for slope stabilization 500,000 The amount is included in the Project Cost

Top soil preservation and management 300,000 The amount is included in the Project Cost

Compensatory plantation of 37625 seedlings as per the Work Procedure Regarding Use of National Forest Area for Projects of National Priority, 2074, calculations as per forest norms

4,703,125

Compensation to the lost forest area as per the Forest Act.

The amount is included in the Project Cost

Clearance and stockpiling of the felled forest products 500,000

Combined supervision with the official of DNPWC/DFO/CFUGs/BZUGs to mark trees and poles for felling

400,000

Technical and financial assistance (forest conservation programs, awareness campaigns, etc.) to the affected forest user group

1,000,000

Hoarding boards costs at critical locations and near the project facilities on the preventive actions

300,000

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Public awareness programs on conservation and forest resource management in the local area

250,000

Public awareness programs with limited fire fighting training to prevent the forest fires in the local area

150,000

Sub-Total (A1) 8,503,125

A2 Operation Phase

Bio-engineering works for slope stabilization 500,000 The amount is included in the Project Cost

Provision for water supply arrangements in the event of affects to on use water sources on permanent basis

2,000,000

Hoarding boards at critical locations and their maintenance to generate awareness to the visitors on the significance of forests and wildlife of the area

2,500,000

Public awareness programs on conservation and forest resource management in the local area

500,000

Sub-Total (A2) 5,000,000

B Socio-economic and Cultural Impacts Mitigation

B1 Construction Phase

Compensation for loss of private land (1.965 ha) 10,240,333

The amount is included in the Project Cost

Temporary lease of land during construction period Contractor will be made responsible for this

Compensation for loss of crop production (one time compensation during permanent acquisition of land)

100,000

Compensation for loss of trees from private land 2,534,000

Improvement support for Public facilities 1,000,000

Organizing various awareness camps for public 2,000,000

Provision of training on occupational health and safety, local culture and traditions and conservation programs to all construction workers

Contractor will be made responsible for this

Provision of protective gears such as helmets, boots, gloves, and mask to all construction workers, supervisors, and visitors, provision of hoarding boards and provision of emergency health equipment

Contractor will be made responsible for this

Hiring security guards for securing project facilities 200,000

Rehabilitation/relocation of religious and cultural resources

1,000,000

Compensation for a proposed micro hydro in downstream

Compensation shall be determined in negotiation. Compensation

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cost, if any, shall be liable to the project cost.

Implementation of Livelihood rehabilitation plan for PAFs

200,000

Sub-Total (B1)

7,034,000

B2 Operation Phase

Installation of early warning system (siren system) 600,000

Awareness program on the use of early warning system

200,000

Support for the self employment 500,000

Self-business/entrepreneurship training package 1,000,000

Support downstream fishing communities through skill training and capacity development trainings

200,000

Sub-Total (B2)

2,500,000

C Beneficial impacts enhancement measures

Local employment facilitation measures for PAFs 200,000

Equipment operation related trainings 100,000

Maintenance of existing infrastructure like health posts, schools and water supply systems

1,500,000

Co-ordination with the DNPWC management and BZUGs

100,000

Business enhancement trainings to local 500,000

Sub-Total (C)

2,400,000

D Community Support Program (CSP)

Community Support Program (CSP) (0.75% of total project cost)

49,392,908

Sub-Total (D)

49,392,908

Grand Total 74,830,033

Excluding items included in Project Cost

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10.2 Costs for Environmental Monitoring The cost for environmental monitoring of the project is presented in Table 11-2. The costs included in this section present only the costs where SKHP management is responsible for the compliance and impact monitoring through instrumental monitoring. The costs of the other monitoring activities through technical support staff at site are included in the environmental management costs of the project. The costs where contractor is responsible are the part of the project civil cost and not included here.

Table 10-2 Environmental Monitoring Cost

SN Monitoring Items Estimated Cost (NRs.)

Remarks

A Pre- Construction Phase

1 Air Quality (TSP and PM 10) 350,000

2 Noise 50,000

3 Water Quality 250,000

4 Monitoring of Landslides and slide erosion, Land pollution,

40,000

5 Monitoring of Forest ecology, Wildlife and aquatic life 150,000

6 Monitoring of Social aspects 100,000

Sub-Total A 940,000

B Construction Phase

1 Air Quality (TSP and PM 10) twice a year for 3 years 3,000,000

2 Noise level twice a year for 3 years 300,000

3 Water Quality twice a year for 3 years 200,000

4 Monitoring of Forest ecology, Wildlife and aquatic life 300,000

Sub-Total B 3,800,000

C Operation Phase

1 Water quality in the operation camp (twice a year for 30 years) 1,000,000

2 Water Quality (River) Twice a year (November, April) for first 5 year at three locations

150,000

3 Noise level 75,000

4 Forest Ecology (Twice a year for first 5 years) 650,000

5 Wildlife (Twice a year for the first 5 years) 650,000

6 Aquatic ecology (Twice a year for the first 5 years) 1,000,000

7 Social aspects (Once after a year of operation) 75,000

Total of C 3,600,000

Grand Total 8,340,000

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10.3 Environmental Management Cost The environmental management cost for staff and consultants of the Environmental Support Unit of the Project Management Office is already included in the civil management cost of the project costs.

10.4 Environmental Audit Cost Environmental audit is to be carried out by the MOFE as per the EPR, 1997. Hence, the environmental audit cost has not been allocated by the project.

10.5 Summary of Environmental Mitigation, Monitoring and Management Cost

Table 11-3 presents the summary of the project environmental costs excluding the cost included in project cost.

Table 10-3 Summary of the Project Environmental Costs

SN Particulars Cost (NRs)

1 Environmental Mitigation Construction 15,537,125

2 Environmental Mitigation Operation 7,500,000

3 Environmental Enhancement 2,400,000

4 Communitry Support Program (CSP) 49,392,908

5 Environmental Monitoring Pre-Construction 940,000

6 Environmental Monitoring Construction 3,800,000

7 Environmental Monitoring Operation 3,600,000

Total Environmental Cost (excluding the cost included in project cost)

83,170,033

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CHAPTER 11

COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT

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11 COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT

11.1 General Project economics is the evaluation of alternative investments in terms of overall development objectives. It ensures that the scarce resources available in the market are utilized to ensure their optimal use. In the case of any hydropower project, it is imperative that the project shall produce power and energy to satisfy prevailing demand at a lower possible cost.

Both the economic and financial analysis of SKHP has been carried out to ascertain the economic and financial viability of the scheme. The technical feasibility of the scheme has been established thorough study carried out on the technical aspect.

Economic analysis concerns with the viability of the project from the national or regional point of view. During such analysis, the focus has been given on the social costs and benefits of the project, which are often, be different from the monetary costs and benefits realized from the project.

Financial evaluation uses the real term monetary values of the cost and benefits and is inclusive of taxes transfers, duties and escalation. The financial evaluation concerns with the developer of the project and its impact on its accounts. Hence, from the perspective of a private developer, financial evaluation is the most important aspect of the project to determine whether to finance it or not.

11.2 Methodology The conventional approach was followed for conducting both the economic and financial analysis. In this approach, costs and benefits were first estimated on a common basis. For a project to be feasible and viable, the benefits should be more than the costs. The methodology involves a number of assumptions based on prevailing values. These parameters are described in the subsequent sections.

Wherever possible, known information was collected either from the past experiences or from prevailing rules and regulations and are applied. Where financial parameters are not known they have been estimated by extrapolation from known data or reasonable assumptions have been made. These assumptions are, on the whole, considered to be realistic and standard for analysis of this nature.

The financial analysis consists of cash flows during the project life, and a financial evaluation, which gives the Net Present Value (NPV), a Benefit-Cost ratio and the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of the project.

A sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying some of the assumed parameters such as cost, flow in the river, discount rates etc. Salvage value of the project at the end of the economic life is considered to be zero.

In both economic and financial analysis, project cost and benefits are compared using discounting measures of project worth. Generally, three important economic indicators were used in the analysis.

11.2.1 Net Present Value (NPV)

NPV is the present value of the incremental net benefit stream, i.e. the sum of the discounted flow of project benefits net of project costs. It indicates that the project generates benefits in excess of those required by the discount rate. A project with a positive NPV is thus considered economic.

11.2.2 Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

IRR is the discount rate which makes the NPV of the incremental net benefit stream equal to zero, i.e. the discount rate at which the discounted benefits equals the discounted costs. It indicates the economic profitability of the invested project. If IRR is less than the discount rate used in the analysis, the project is thought to be uneconomic as the discounted benefits do not outweigh the discounted costs.

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11.2.3 Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR)

BCR is the ratio of the present value of the benefit stream to the present value of the cost stream. It indicates the extent to which the discounted stream of benefits exceeds the discounted stream of costs. A ratio greater than unity indicates benefits exceed costs whereas it is less than unity if the costs exceed benefits.

11.3 Project evaluation 11.3.1 Economic Analysis

Based on the afformentioned parameters, economic value of the project was determined in terms of NPV, EIRR and BCR. In order to evaluate the project, taxes, duties and royalties payable to the local or national governmental bodies were excluded. The economic life of the project is assumed to be 50 years. Cash flow series have been assessed for the project economic life and the cash streams have been discounted to the first year of construction. The project with an installed capacity of 41.06 MW will generate 233.92 GWh of total energy of which 70.69 GWh will be of dry energy and the rest wet energy. The results of economic analysis are presented in Table 11-1.

Table 11-1 Results of economic analysis

S. No. Economic Indicators (based on 2018 January price level, economical life = 50 years)

Value

1 Project cost including transmission line and access road US$ 69.57 million

NPR 7,166.043 million

2 Cost per kW US$ 1,694

NPR 174,523.80

4 Economic Net Present Value (NPV) US$ 44.502 million

NPR 4,583.79 million

5 Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) 24.04 %

5 Economic B/C ratio at discount rate of 10% 3.60

Source: Feasibility Study, 2018

11.3.2 Financial analysis

For the financial analysis, the principal project benefits are revenues, which can be derived from the operation of the project. In the analysis, three important economic indicators: Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost (B/C) ratio and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) were used. Project benefits have been calculated using the followingassumptions:

Project cost will be 75.07 MiIlion USD (7,732.90Million NPR)

Energy generated by 41.06 MW power plant is estimated to be 233.92 GWh (Dry energy = 70.69 GWh, Wet energy = 163.23 GWh ).

Assumed rate of sale of energy shall be 10.42 and 5.95 NRs/kWh for dry and wet energy respectively after 8 years of COD. This price is based on NEA Board policy (April, 2017) where base rates are NRs. 4.80 during wet months and NRs. 8.40 during dry months, which were escalated at 3% per annum for 8 after COD. Capacity benefits have not been included in theanalysis.

Based on the above assumptions the financial analysis yields the following results as shown in Table 11-2.

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Table 11-2 Results of financial analysis

S. No. Financial Indicators (based on 2018 January price level, project life = 30 years)

Value

1 Project cost including transmission line and access road US$ 75.07 million NPR 7,732.90million

2 Cost per kW US$ 1,828 NPR 188,433.802

3 Financial Net Present Value (NPV) US$ 19.79 million NPR 2,039.18million

4 Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR) 15.43 %

5 Financial B/C ratio at discount rate of 10% 1.73

Source: Feasibility Study, 2018

The total project cost for hydropower generation only is NRs 6,585,721,196. The project has allocated about NRs. 83,170,033as the EMP cost.

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CHAPTER 12

CONCLUSION

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12 CONCLUSION

Sankhuwa Khola Hydropower Project (SKHP) is a run-of-river (RoR) type with a proposed installed capacity of 41.06 MW with a design discharge 15.68 m3/s (40 percentile flow). The diversion weir of height 6 m will be constructed about 100 m downstream from the Sakhuwa Khola Sisuwa Khola confluence near Siktimtar in Ward no. 1 of Silichong Rural Muncipality. The intake on the right bank will feed the settling basin and is diverted to the surface Powerhouse located at the right bank of the Arun River at Bumling village in Ward no. 1 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality through 623 m long headrace pipe, 4567 m long headrace tunnel and 1000 m long vertical shaft/inclined shaft/penstock.The project will affect either directly and/or indirectly Ward no. 1, 3 and 4 of Silichong Rural Muncipality of Sankhuwasabha district and Ward no. 1 of Salpachilichho Rural Municipality of Bhojpur district.Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study of SKHP has been carried out in accordance to the National EIA guidelines for water resource sector (Draft 2053) and Environment Protection Rules (EPR), 2054 (with latest amendments).

The project area lies in the middle mountain physiographic zone. The project area has a rugged topography with steep hills and deep river valleys. The project area experiences tropical climate. According to the data recorded in the nearest meteorological stations, mean annual rainfall in Sankhuwa catchment is 2771 mm. Granite, augen gneiss and kyanite schist are the main rock type in the project area.No evidences of active landslides were observed near to the project construction sites. The average monthly flow data reflects that the lowest flow of 5.21 m3/sec during the month of February and highest flow recorded 64.88 m3/sec in the month of July at the proposed intake site of the project. Since the area is located in rural natural setting, the ambient air quality, water quality and noise levels are not influenced by the industrial pollutions.The project area is composed of mixed broadleaved forest. The overall project area is dominated by Hill Sal and the other associated species include Chilaune, Siris, Uttis, Khirro, Gayo etc. Plantation of Rudrakshya was also observed in the private land in the project area. The project will acquire 3.104 ha of forest. All structures of headworks and project facilities such as construction camp and permanent housing at headworks and some section of headrace tunnel are located within Buffer Zone of Makalu Barun National Park.Altogether 25 mammalian species, 40 species of birds and 12 species of herpetofauna have been reported in the project area. Similarly, 9 species of fish were reported from the Sankhuwa Khola stretch within the project area. The total population of the affected area is 11,796 (5,803 male and 5,993 female) with average household size of 4.83. The population of the area is dominated by Kulung (53.86%) followed by the Chhetri, Mewahang, Rai, Kami, Tamang and other groups.

Like any other development projects, this project is also likely to produce both beneficial and adverse impacts on the existing natural settings and society. During construction phase, the project will provide temporary employment opportunities to 500 people and priority will be given to local people.Project will support development of local infrastructures and social services facilities and their service delivery system in the project impacted area which will enhance the living standard of the local people. Project will generate 233.92 GWh energy annually and help to address the energy crisis of the country to some extent.A total of 14.702 ha of land will be required for the project. Of the total, 7.202 ha is permanent land requirement while 7.5 ha are temporarily required.Altogether, 1505 of trees different species will be felled from the forest acquired area of 3.104 ha during project construction. The barrier created by the weir structure to the aquatic life is a significant adverse impact of the project in the operation phase.The project affects 30 households directly by permanent land acquisition of about 1.965 ha. No households will be physically and/or economically displaced by the project permanent land acquisition.

Project will implement the mitigation and enhancement method. Necessary budget has been allocated for the implementation of these measures.The forest area and trees felled will be compensated as per the prevailing law. Land equaling the area of forest to be acquired by the project will be bought and handed over to GoN. Trees that are likely to be removed shall be counted, marked and harvested with the proper forest techniques. The project will plant at least 25seedlings of locally suitable species for the loss of each tree at the compensated land or site designated for plantation.A minimum of 10% of the monthly flow will be released in the dewatered section and the releasing mechanism will be properly ensured.All the land to be acquired will be settled by bilateral negotiation with landowners. The Project Affected Families will be provided respectable compensation for the land and property they lose to the

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project. They will be given primary priority in project related employment opportunities and all types of training opportunities. Education support, health support, drinking water supply support and different training programs will be provided by the proponent. To ensure that the environmental issues of the project development and operation in the project impact areas are properly addressed during the project life cycle, the SKHP project management, as the primary responsible institution, will implement the key elements prescribed in the environmental management plan. The sum of the environmental costs for the project is estimated as NRs. 83,170,033, excluding the costs included in the civil costs of the project.

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APPENDIX A

AGREEMENT LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE

CONSERVATION

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APPENDIX B

SCOPING /TOR APPROVAL LETTER AND APPROVED SCOPING AND TOR

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APPENDIX C1

PROJECT LAYOUT MAP

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APPENDIX C2

PROJECT ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT MAPS

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APPENDIX D

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

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APPENDIX E

ENERGY PRODUCTION AND WATER BALANCE

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APPENDIX F

CHECKLIST USED FOR THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

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APPENDIX G

CHECKLIST USED FOR THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

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APPENDIX H

QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY

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APPENDIX I

CHECKLISTS FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY

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APPENDIX J

PARTICIPANTS OF FGD

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APPENDIX K

NOTICE FOR PUBLIC HEARING

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APPENDIX L

DEEDS OF NOTICE AFFIXES

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APPENDIX M

PROOF OF INVITATION CIRCULATED AND PARTICIPANTS OF PUBLIC HEARING

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APPENDIX N

PROCEEDINGS OF PUBLIC HEARING

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APPENDIX O

BROCHURE CIRCULATED IN PUBLIC HEARING

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APPENDIX P

DECLARATION FORMS

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APPENDIX Q

WATER QUALITY TEST

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APPENDIX R

LIST OF PLANTS FOUND IN AND AROUND THE PROJECT AREA AND ETHNOBOTANICAL

INFORMATION

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APPENDIX S

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

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APPENDIX T

LIST OF PROJECT AFFECTED FAMILIES

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APPENDIX U

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS FROM CONCERN RURAL MUNICIPALITIES

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APPENDIX V

AGREEMENT BETWEEN DOED AND CONSULTANT