Chapter 1: introduction

Chapter IV: BASELINE ENVIRONMENT

Executive Summary 11

Chapter I: INTRODUCTION 51

1.1Background 51

1.2Project Proponent 51

1.3Institution Responsible for Preparing the Document 52

1.4Purpose of the Project 52

1.5Statuary Environmental Requirement 53

1.6Objectives of the EIA Study 53

1.7EIA Study Methodology 54

1.7.1 Literature Review and Consultation with the Stakeholders 54

1.7.2 Field Study 55

1.7.3 Impact Analysis 55

1.7.4 Public Consultation and Public Hearing 55

1.8Supplementary Studies and Report Finalization 57

Chapter II: PROJECT DESCRIPTION 60

2.1Project Location 60

2.2Project Access 60

2.3Salient Features of the Project 62

2.4Project Components 63

2.4.1 Headworks 65

2.4.2 Waterways 66

2.4.3 Surge Shaft and Outlet Portal 66

2.4.4 Penstock Pipe 67

2.4.5 Powerhouse 67

2.4.6 Draft Tube and Tailrace Canal 67

2.4.7 Switchyard 67

2.5Project Support Facilities 67

2.5.1 Access Roads 67

2.5.2 Construction Power 67

2.5.3 Employer’s Camp, Contractor’s Camp and Labor Camp 68

2.5.4 Quarry Site 69

2.5.5 Batching Plants, Aggregate Crushing Plants and Construction Material Storage 69

2.5.6 Spoil & Muck Disposal Area 69

2.6Construction Associated Activities 70

2.6.1 River Diversion during Construction 70

2.6.2 Civil Works 70

2.6.3 Construction Traffic 72

2.7Project Requirements 73

2.7.1 Construction Materials 73

2.7.2 Land Requirement 73

2.7.3 Human Resources Requirement 74

2.8Implementation Schedule 74

2.9Project Operation Modality 75

2.10 Project Costs 75

Chapter III: LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS 76

3.1 Plans, Policies and Strategy of Government of Nepal 76

3.1.1 Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007 76

3.1.2 Thirteenth Three Year Plan, 2013-2016 76

3.1.3 Hydropower Development Policy, 2001 76

3.1.4 National Forest Policy, 1998 (Revised 2000) 77

3.1.5 Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, 2002 77

3.1.6 National Water Strategy (2002) and National Water Plan (2005) 77

3.2 Acts and Rules/Regulations 78

3.2.1 Environment Protection Act 1997, Environment Protection Rules, 1997 & as amended (1999, 2007, 2009 and 2010) 78

3.2.2 Electricity Act, 1992 and Electricity Regulation, 1993 80

3.2.3 Water Resource Act, 1992 and Water Resource Regulations, 1993 80

3.2.4 Soil and Watershed Conservation Act, 1982 80

3.2.5 Aquatic Animal Protection Act, 1961 81

3.2.6 Forest Act, 1993 and Forest Regulation, 1995 81

3.2.7 Land Acquisition Act, 1977 81

3.2.8 Land Reform Act, 1964 82

3.2.9 Local Self-Governance Act (1998) and Regulations, 1999 82

3.2.10 National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973 82

3.2.11 Labour Act, 991 82

3.2.12 Explosive Act, 1961 as amended 1974 and 1991 83

3.3 Guidelines 83

3.3.1 National Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines, 1993 83

3.3.2 EIA Guidelines for Forestry Sector, 1995 83

3.3.3 Department of Electricity Development Manuals 83

3.3.4 Department of Forest Guidelines 84

3.3.5 MOE Guide to Environmental Management Plan of Hydropower Projects, 2006 85

3.4 Standards 85

3.4.1 National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 2003 85

3.4.2 Nepal Vehicular Emission Standards, 2000 85

3.4.3 Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be Discharged into Inland Surface Waters, 2003 85

3.5 International Conventions 86

3.5.1 Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 86

3.5.2 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), 1973 86

3.5.3 International Labor Organization (169), 1989 86

3.6 World Bank Group’s Requirements 86

3.6.1 Relevant Policies and Guidelines of the World Bank 86

3.6.10 Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines 88

Chapter IV: BASELINE ENVIRONMENT 90

4.1 Project Impact Area 90

4.2.1 Topography and Geomorphology 92

4.2.2 Geology and Soils 93

4.2.3 Climate and Meteorology 94

4.2.4 Drainage and Hydrology 95

4.2.5 Erosion and Sedimentation 103

4.2.6 Air Quality 105

4.2.7 Water Quality 105

4.2.8 Noise Level 107

4.2.9 Water Uses and Water Rights 107

4.2.10 Land Use 108

4.2.11 Seismicity 109

4.2.12 Glacial Lake and Glacial Lake Outbrust Floods (GLOF) 109

4.3 Biological Environment 110

4.3.1 Forest and Plant Diversity 111

4.3.2 Terrestrial Wildlife 116

4.3.3 Aquatic Flora and Fauna 123

Chapter V: ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS 144

5.1 BACKGROUND 144

5.2 Choice of Hydropower versus other Sources of power 145

5.2.1 Fossil fuels 145

5.2.2 Solar and Wind power 146

5.2.3 Import of Electricity from Neighboring Countries 148

5.3 No Project Alternatives 148

5.4 Selection of KAHEP in the Context of Hydropower Projects in Nepal - Medium Hydropower Study Project 151

5.5 Alternative Analysis of Project Layout 153

5.6 Location and Design Alternatives of Project Structures and Ancillary Facilities 154

5.6.1 Dam Site 154

5.6.2 Powerhouse Site 156

5.6.3 Approach Canal vs. Approach Tunnel 157

5.6.4 Alternatives for Settling Basin 157

5.6.5 Penstock Pipe Alternatives 157

5.6.7 Access Road to Headworks 158

5.6.8 Access Road to the Powerhouse 158

5.6.9 Alternatives to Camps at Powerhouse and Headwork 159

5.6.10 Alternatives for Quarry, and Spoil Disposal Sites 160

5.7 No Forest Alternative 160

5.8 Associated Risks 160

5.9 Technology, Operation, Procedures, Time Schedules and Raw Materials to be used 161

Chapter VI: POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 163

6.1 Adverse Issues 163

6.1.1 Primary Issues 163

6.1.2 Secondary Issues 198

6.1.3 Other Issues 207

6.1.4 Impacts not Covered by EIA Terms of Reference 217

6.1.5 Kabeli Corridor 132 kV Transmission Line Project (KCTLP) Impacts 223

6.2 Beneficial Issues 227

6.2.1 Construction Phase 227

6.2.2 Operation Phase 228

Chapter VII: RAPID CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ASSESMENT AND PROPOSED MANAGEMENT MEASURES 232

Chapter VIII: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN, MONITORING PLAN AND AUDIT 271

8.1 Environmental Management Plan 271

8.2 EMP Structure and Organization 272

8.2.1 Environmental Management Actions 272

8.2.2 Organization for EMP Implementation 273

8.2.3 Environmental Management of Construction 282

8.2.4 Adaptive Management of Selected Environmental Issues 303

8.3 Environmental Monitoring 305

8.3.1 Monitoring Agency 305

8.3.2 Monitoring Phase 307

8.4 Post-Construction Environmental Audit of KAHEP 318

8.4.1 Environmental Audit Framework for KAHEP 319

8.4.2 Agencies Responsible for Auditing 320

8.4.3 Environmental Auditing Schedule 321

Chapter IX: ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION, MONITORING, AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT COSTS 322

9.1 Cost for Environmental Mitigation 322

9.2 Costs for Environmental Monitoring 323

9.3 Environmental Management Cost 324

9.4 Environmental Audit 325

9.5 Summary of Environmental Mitigation, Monitoring, Management and Audit Cost 325

REFERENCES 326

The objective of the environmental baseline assessment in this section is to assess the present state of the environmental conditions in the project area (Site Specific, Project VDCs and Project Districts) in order to evaluate environmental impacts and issues of the project development and operations.