Chapter 1: introduction

6.1.3 Other Issues

6.1.3.1 Construction Phase

I. Potential for local air quality deterioration due to construction activities

The significant volume of fugitive 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 fugitive emissions. Different factors that determine the amount of dust blown in the atmosphere include type of activity & operation modality of the construction works & vehicles and climatic conditions (dry & wet). The fugitive emission generally consists of large size particulate fractions over 10 micrometers, which settle down quickly within a few hundred meters of the source of generation. However, 10 to 15 % of the particulate of size fraction less than 10 micrometer can remain in the air and are predicted to degrade the ambient air quality of surrounding areas. As the construction sites are located at a distance from the settlments, effects of air pollution is projected to be minimum. 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.

The cooking activities in construction and 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.

The 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.

Mitigation

1. 
   The earthern and gravelled road corridors will be sprinkled regularly to minimise the fugitive dusts from the plying of the construction and project vehicles particularly in the winter and dry summer season. The contractor will be made reponsible to sprinkle water regularly on the road corridors linking the Kabeli Bazaar market settlment to the headworks, and close to the powerhouse site.
   
2. 
   The aggregate crushing sites and active construction sites will also be sprinkled regularly by water as required. The contactor will be made reposnsible contractually for water sprinkling.
   
3. 
   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 PPE 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.
   
4. 
   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 excavationand 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.
   

II. Potential of noise pollution in the surounding areas

The construction activity particularly blasting operations, machinery operations and vehicular traffic will accentuate 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 between 65 to 70dBA (experience in the Middle Marsyangdi HEP), whereas background noise level is expected to be close to 50 to 55 dBA for the nearest community which is 200 m away from the activity point. Accentuated short lived peak noise during blasting could be as high as 90 dBA for the nearest community, while the noise level contributed by the vehicular movement along the road corridor could be as high as 80dBA.

The impacts of the noise level is expected on be high to the occuational worker which can have implication on their health both by the increased background noise level and the shortlived high pitch noise of blasting and vehicular movements. The communties 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 persistent noise is anticipated to cause communication disturbances between the teachers and pupils in the educational institutions.

Apart from the above, the noise impact will be felt by the thriving wildlife of the area. The high pitch short lived noise will drive most of the terrestrial wildlife from the area only to return to the area after the construction period, provided that the wildlife will not migrate permanently away from these locations.

Mitigation

1. 
   Operation of noise generating construction actvities in the day time as far as possible.
   
2. 
   Confining blasting operations during the day time only. Prior information should be given by blowing siren 10minutes beforeblasting operation and 10 minutes after blasting operation to indicate the commencement and conclusion of the operation.
   
3. 
   Regular maintenance of the vehicles to reduce the mechnical and body noise while driving.
   
4. 
   Prohibition on the blowing of horns in critical stretches close to villages and near the school area along the road
   
5. 
   Installing noise reducing equipment in the ventilators, compressors and diesel generator sets
   

III. Impacts due to stockpiling of construction material and muck disposal

The project has designated separate areas for the stockpiling of construction materials such as sand, aggregates, iron rods, steel frames, cement for the project construction period. However, open and haphazard stockpiling has potential to degrade the aesthetic beauty of the stockpiling areas. Similarly, the haphazard disposal of muck in the designated area and elswhere 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 area, improper disposal might increase the sediment load in the river and there is a possiblity of muck washout during high monsoon floods which could cause the downstream sedimentation and disturbance to the aquatic life. The envisaged impacts are direct, short term and of moderate magnitude.

Mitigation

1. 
   Stockpiling and storage of the construction materials in designated sites only. Prohibition on the stockpiling of construction materials in other areas.
   
2. 
   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.
   
3. 
   Prior to the start of muck disposal, the contractor will make a plan for muck diposal 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.
   
4. 
   The muck deposited will be properly compacted and will be facilitated by surface runoff drainge facilities to avoid air pollution and run off erosion.
   
5. 
   The muck disposal sitewill be rehabilitated by covering the muck surface by the top soil saved from the access roads, headworks and power house site preparation.
   

IV. Impacts on drainage pattern

Surface drainage changes are expected along the access roads and at the headwork site and powerhouse site. Storage yards, equipment yards, camps and muck disposal site also will alter the natural surface drainages. The change in the natural drainages (micro to macro) has the potential for surface erosion, and water logging within and outside the limit of the project occupied area. The consequences are degradation on land quality and sites for the breeding of mosquitos with health implications of the construction workers.

The internal access roads are the other project facilities that alter the natural drainage substantially. As it passes through the agricultural land, it might also obstruct the water flow from the upslope terrace to the downslope terrace hindering the free flow of water required for irrigation with implications on agricultural productivity. This could be a reason of conflict with the local farmers. Envisaged impacts of the change in the natural drainage is of low magnitude, but along the access road, the magnitude of the impact is much higher.

Mitigation

1. 
   All project construction sites (headworks and powerhouse) will have runoff drainages during the construction period and later wil be remodified to suit to the local conditions in the operation period as permanent network. The run off water collected will be safely discharged to the natural water bodies.
   
2. 
   All project facility sites (camps, mechanical yards, storage facilities, muck diosal sites etc.) will be provided with temporary drainage facilities to collect and discharge the run off water safely to the natural water bodies. After the completion of the muck disposal, the muck disposal sites will have permanent drainage networks to collect and discharge the run off water safely to the water bodies.
   
3. 
   The access roads will have facilities such as permanent side drain structures to collect water from the slope area. The collected water of the side drains will be discharged to suitable natural waterways to avoid upstream and downstream erosion.
   
4. 
   In the agricultural fields, provisions will be made upon the prior consultation and arrangement with farmers to drain the slope water to the downslope agricultural land such that the water required for irrigation is not blocked.
   
5. 
   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 collected from the side slopes.
   

V. Impacts due to operation of Quarry

The quarry site is located in the flood plain area of the Kabeli and Tamor River. Haphazard quarrying from the flood plain might change the river morphology and river water pathways significantly involving changes in river bank erosion and sedimentation pattern than the exiting 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. Though land stability and erosion related impacts are not envisaged because of the site location, impacts on aquatic life habitat and change in river erosion and deposition sites could be of significance. Envisaged impacts are site specific to local, short term and of moderate signficance.

Mitigation

1. 
   Quarrying operations in the flood plain will be stripping operation rather than forming a big borrowpit at one location.
   
2. 
   The quarry operation will not be carried below the flowing water level of the river
   
3. 
   Excavation of aggregates from the river wet channel will be prohibited.
   
4. 
   River flood plain quarrying will be carried out only in the dry season i.e from November through May only.
   

VI. Impact on water resource and water quality

1. 
   Impact of Headwork Construction
   

The barrage 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 barrage foundation, the project has a plan of river water diversion at the 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. The envisaged impacts on water quality is short term, while on the aquatic ecology is long term and of high magnitude.

Mitigation

Since the project has to construct the barrage sructucture, the perceived impacts could not be avoided and will remain as the residual impact. However to minimise the impact on water quality during barrage foundation construction, discharge of 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.

2. 
   Impact of tunnel drainge discharge
   

Tunnel excavation is invariably associated with seepage water which is drained from the tunnel through the adit portals. In the KAHEP, discharge of tunnel seepage water is envisaged from the surge tank adit portal, headrace tunnel adit portal and from the settling tank areas. The consultant’s monitoring experience in the Middle Marsyangdi reveals that these tunnel discharges have high concentration of suspended solids as well as ammonia and some heavy metals such as iron, arsenic etc. Though the envisaged tunnel discharge is small in quantity, it has the potential of water quality degradation of the receiving water bodies. Direct discharge of the tunnel seepage water to the water bodies will make the water unusable for the downstream users as well as impart high impact to aquatic life.

Mitigation

The tunnel seepage water discharges will be collected in settling tanks/ponds outside the portal areas in a suitable location for sedimentation and treatment (e.g. pH, flocculation, etc). The contractor will be made responsible for periodic cleaning and treatment operation through contractual clauses. The water after treatment will be released to the nearest water bodies.

c. Impacts of aggregate washing

The aggregates require washing during crushing to remove the deleterious materials such as clay and silt to maintain the physical properties of the aggregates for concrete preparation. The washing of the aggregates generates high amount of suspended sediment load in the water. If this washing water is released directly to the water bodies, the envisaged impacts are similar to those of the tunnel seepage water discharges.

Mitigation

The water discharged from aggregate washing plant will be collected in settling tanks/ponds at a suitable location for sedimentation and treatment.The water will then be released to the nearest water bodies. The contractor will be made responsible for the required treatment arrangements through contractual clauses.

d. Impacts of the batching plant wastewater

To ensure the quality of the concrete, the concrete batching plant needs to be thoroughly washed after each day’s operation or every batch operation. The water released from such washing operations is charged highly with cement. Discharge of such wastewater into the receiving water body has impacts more adverse than the tunnel seepage discharge and the aggregate washing plant discharge as cement consists of non-settling fine materials. Direct discharge of unused concrete slurry into the water bodies is hazardous to water as well as the river banks as it solidifies quickly over the river bed materials and degrades the habitat of aquatic life.

Mitigation

1. 
   The water discharged from aggregate washing plant will be collected in settling tanks/ponds at a suitable location for sedimentation and treatment.The water will then be released to the nearest water bodies. The contractor will be made responsible for the required treatment arrangements through contractual clauses.
   
2. 
   The unused concrete and cement slurry in the construction works will be placed in the designated muck/spoil disposal sites.
   

e. Impacts of the disposal of used lubricants, grease, and toxic chemicals and seepage of petroleum products from the bunkers and mechanical yards

The construction machinery and vehicles use large quantities of grease 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 and aquatic life. Envisaged impacts of such disposal or seepage of the contaminated water is of high magnitude.

Mitigation

1. 
   All spent grease and unused or 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.
   
2. 
   All empty containers of grease and toxic chemicals will be punctured and stored in a safe place under the shade. The contractor will be made responsible for this.
   
3. 
   The unused chemicals, spent grease will be discharged only with the approval of the project environmental officer. As of the date, the 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.
   
4. 
   The petroleum bunkers are placed in a separate area in a concrete bunded area with a facility of oil and grease separator. The contractor will be made responsible for this.
   
5. 
   The wastewater from the mechanical yards is collected in a separate area. The water is treated for the oil and grease and then released into the water bodies. The contractor will be made responsible for the required treament arrangements.
   

f. Impacts of wastewater from camps (kitchen wastewater and toilet wastewater)

Construction camps for engineers, contractors and labor force generate a high volume of waste water charged with high biological oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), and ammonia concentration. Estimated wastewater volume assuming 125lt/person/day and ground abstraction and loss of 30 percent is 70m³/day. The total BOD load of the wastewater is about 32 kg/day. Direct release of this waste into the receiving water bodies will make the water unsuitable for consumption and also hazardous for aquatic life. In camps and construction sites, due to insufficiency of toilet facilities or due to behavioral nature of the workers (used to open defecation); open defecation along the river bank may be frequent. This will not only reduce aesthetic and land pollution but will also cause source of water pollution and spread of vector borne disease in the local area. The envisaged impacts of such discharge and activities though short term is of high magnitude.

Mitigation

1. 
   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. In the active construction site, toilets will be facilitated with collection pit and soaking area. The contractor will be made responsible for this measure.
   
2. 
   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. The contractor will be made responsible for the measure.
   

VII. Impact due to solid waste generated in camps and construction sites and its disposal

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 the construction camps is 8 ton/day. This could be disposed haphazardly, which could be a major concern of land pollution and 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.

Mitigation

1. 
   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, 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 the measure.
   
2. 
   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 the measure.
   

VIII. Encroachment in the surrounding forest

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, 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. The envisaged impact is high in such incidents affecting local forest areas and its resources.

Mitigation

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:

1. 
   The project environmental officers will inform the local authorities, VDC representative, Community forest user groups, Leasehold forest user groups and the Forest range post office well ahead of time, if it finds the forest area close to the construction site being encroached.
   
2. 
   The project will assist the local authorities in the protection works of the forest areas close to the construction sites. Estimated costs of NRs1,536,000 is allocated for this purpose.
   
3. 
   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.
   

IX. Impact due to illegal hunting, poaching and trade of fisheries

The construction workforce might be involved in illegal wildlife hunting and poaching of wild animals and fish, the envisaged impact will be of concern.

Mitigation

Section 6.1.1.1, I, b of this chapter has addressed this issue in detail. The mitigation measures listed in the section will be implemented to minimize the impacts.

X. Possible fire hazard on forest resources

The grass species and Sal trees (Shorea robusta) present in project construction sites are vulnerable to fire, especially during the dry season. The forest area in the project site does not have fire lines. Even a small fire in the form of cigarettes butts and match stick used by the construction crew could be a crucial factor for fire hazard. Likewise, the leakage of fuel from vehicles could also be the cause of fire. The forest fire could create a big fire hazard affecting the whole region.

Mitigation

1. 
   Hoarding boards will be placed at critical location of the access road on the preventive actions to control the forest fire. Estimated cost of NRs100,000 is allocated for this measure.
   
2. 
   Public awareness programs with limited firefighting training will be launched to prevent the forest fires in the local area. Estimated cost of NRs 300,000 is allocated for this measure.
   
3. 
   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 work force.
   

XI. Impacts on wildlife and its habitat due to construction activities

The increased mobility of people and construction vehicles will drive away the terrestrial wildlife from the vicinity of construction sites. The terrestrial wildlife is very noise sensitive. Thus, increased noise levels not only drive them away from the area but also leave impact on their feeding behaviors. The increase in noise level in general and high pitch noise during blasting is envisaged most likely to drive away the terrestrial wildlife of the valley even at considerable distance from the construction site.

Mitigation

As elaborated above (section 6.1.3.1, II) efforts will be made to minimize the noise level during the night, when most of the wildlife are agile. However, the impacts of noise on wildlife will remain as the residual impact of the project throughout the construction phase.

XII. Disturbance on movement of wildlife due to construction activities

Some of the wild animals such as the Himalayan black bear, porcupine, jackal, and civet and monkey species 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. The envisaged impact is adverse to the feeding habitat of the wildlife, but beneficial to the local communities.

Mitigation

The above impact will be residual impact of the project throughout the construction phase.

XIII. Impacts of Internal Access Road Upgrading and Operation

Impact

The internal access roads up to the powerhouse and headworks has been opened by the local communities as community dry season roads. These roads are earthen roads with poor gradient and curves. As these roads lack road side drains and cross drains, they could not be operated during the monsoon season. At number of locations, cut batter slopes of the roads are steep and unstable.

For the uninterrupted operation of these roads during construction and later during operation, these roads need upgrading which include improvement and upgrading of road formation width, gradient improvements, stabilization of unstable cut batter slope, construction of side drains and cross drains etc. All of these works, in fact, are the mitigation measures for the newly opened road corridor against land degradation and ensuring land stability of the road corridor vis a vis minimizing the anticipated erosion. However, haphazard management of the upgrading works could lead to unwarranted enhancement of erosion particularly related to side casting of the earthen materials while road grading and construction of side drains and cross drains.

Mitigation

To minimize the anticipated impacts following measures will be implemented.

1. 
   Side casting of the spoil material will be prohibited and the spoil materials shall be placed at the designated spoil disposal sites
   
2. 
   The spoil material generated in one section of the road will be used to filling at the other section of the road while grading the road surface to achieve the desired road gradient.
   
3. 
   The cross drainage structure to bypass the runoff water of the side drain will be placed to natural drainage which has sufficient capacity to drain the accumulated run off.
   
4. 
   In the agricultural fields, provisions will be made upon the prior consultation and arrangement with farmers to drain the slope water to the downslope agricultural land such that the water required for irrigation is not blocked.
   
5. 
   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 collected from the side slopes.
   

The cost for the above mitigation measures is already included in the upgrading cost of the internal access road in the civil cost.

6.1.3.2 Operation Phase

I. Impact on the forest resources and wildlife due to increased accessibility including possibility of illicit hunting and poaching

There will be frequent movement of project vehicles, and public vehicles due to availability of the access road. In addition, there will be frequent gathering of people from distant as well as nearby regions to view the hydropower plant. As the establishment of permanent structures such as headworks, powerhouse penstock, camp sites and many portions of the access road will be on forest land, it is likely that the forest resources of the area could be exploited commercially. The illegal hunting and poaching of wildlife will also be a matter of concern. This impact will be indirect but significant.

Mitigation

1. 
   Hoarding boards at critical locations will be placed and maintained to generate awareness to the visitors on the significance of forests and wildlife of the area and how an individual contributes in their protection and conservation. Estimated NRs 100,000 is allocated for the measure as annual recurring cost.
   
2. 
   Leasehold forest user groups and community forest user groups will be assisted for the protection and conservation of the forested areas. Estimated NRs.20,000 is allocated for the measure as annual recurring cost. (NRs.600,000 for 30 years)
   

II. Impact on wildlife due to possible fragmentation of habitat

As already stated, the project development site is not the prime habitat of the conservational or economical important mammals or any other animal life, and is used by wildlife for seasonal migratory route, occasional feeding purpose, or temporary habitat for social driven animals, etc. Given small footprint of the project on the forest areas, the impacts on fragmentation of habitats are considered insignificant.

Mitigation

Loss of forest land is permanent albeit of low magnitude. Compensatory measures have been included and agreed with community forest groups.

Summary of the predicted impacts for Other environmental issues are presented in Table 6..17below.

Table 6.17: Summary of the Other Environmental Issues - Impact Prediction

SN	Other Issues		Direct / Indirect Impact	Extent	Duration	Magnitude
A	Construction Phase
1	Potential for local air quality deterioration due to construction		D	L	ST	LO
2	Potential noise pollution in the surounding areas		D	L	ST	LO
3	Impacts due to stockpiling of construction material and muck		D	S	ST	M
4	Impacts on drainage pattern		D	S	LT	LO
5	Impacts due to operation of Quarry site and Borrow areas		D	S	ST	M
6	Impact on water resource and water quality		D	L	ST	H
	a	Impact of Headwork Construction	D	L	ST	H
	b	Impact of tunnel drainge discharge	D	L	ST	H
	c	Impacts of aggregate washing	D	L	ST	H
	d	Impacts of the batching plant wastewater	D	S	ST	LO
	e	Impacts of the disposal of used lubricants, grease, mobils, and toxic chemicals and seepage of petroleum products from the bunkers and mechanical yards	D	L	ST	H
	f	Impacts of wastewater from camps (kitchen wastewater and	D	L	ST	H
7	Impact due to solid waste generated in camps and construction		D	L	ST	M
8	Impact on structures due to blasting vibration and use of heavy equipment		D	L	ST	LO
9	Encroachment in the surrounding forest		ID	L	ST	H
10	Impact due to illegal hunting, poaching and trade of fisheries		ID	L	ST	LO
11	Possible fire hazard on forest resources		ID	R	ST	LO
12	Impacts on wildlife and its habitat due to construction activities		D	R	ST	M
13	Disturbance on movement of wildlife due to construction activities		D	L	ST	M
14	Impacts of Internal Access Road Upgrading and Operation		D	L	ST	LO
B	Operation Phase
1	Impact on the forest resource and wildlife due to increased accessibility including possibility of illicit hunting and poaching		ID	L	LT	H
2	Impact on wildlife due to possible fragmentation of habitat		D	L	LT	LO

Note: D = Direct, ID = Indirect, S= Site specific, L= Local, R= Regional, ST=Short Term, LT= Long Term, H = High, M=Moderate, LO= Low

6.1.4 Impacts not Covered by EIA Terms of Reference

The impacts covered by descriptions and discussions above (section 6.1.1, 6.1.2. 6.1.3) were as per the EIA Terms of Reference. There are a number of impacts related to the project but not covered by the EIA Terms of reference. These impacts and the required mitigation measures are presented in the sections below. In addition, impacts on community health and safety, occupational health and safety, and law and order that are described in section 6.1.4.3, 6.1.4.4, and 6.1.4.5 are also explicitly incorporated in SA and SAP reports.

6.1.4.1 Explosive Risks

A requirement of explosives for the tunnel construction could not be avoided. There is not only a need to export explosive materials from third country but also to provide adequate security to the explosive while transportation and during the storage. Explosives transport, delivery, and handling is totally regulated and controlled by the Government of Nepal under the Explosive Act. The security during transport and even in the storage yard and in the active construction site is provided by the Government of Nepal, however, arrangements for transport vehicle, permanent storage yard and temporary storage yard is the responsibility of the developer and the contractor. It is therefore the risk of the explosives to community while transportation and during storage is adequately handled by the government authorities and the envisaged impacts are insignificant.

However, the handling of the explosive in the construction sites is managed by the contractor workforce. Improper management of the explosives, particularly the leftover of the explosives, and unfired detonators and fuse wires can have a disastrous effect. Handling of the leftover detonators and fuse wires in the Middle Marsyangdi Project as ordinary solid waste caused big blast in the solid waste separation yard. No human loss occurred but houses close to the solid waste separation wards suffer heavy damages.

Mitigation

1. 
   Contractor in co-ordination with the concerned government agency will arrange safe import of the explosives from the third country as per the Explosive Act provisions
   
2. 
   Contractor in co-ordination with the government agency will arrange safe transportation vehicles equipped with emergency response measures for in road transportation of the explosives to the project sites.
   
3. 
   Project proponent will allocate a safe area in consultation with the concerned government agency, away from the settlement area, for the safe storage of the explosives in bunkers.
   
4. 
   The contractor will construct the safe bunkers as per the specification of the concerned security agency of the government in the area as provided by the project.
   
5. 
   The contractor will arrange an explosive depot in the active construction site as per the specification of the concerned security agency of the government.
   
6. 
   The contractor shall train the staff using explosive on the safety and security aspects of handling of the explosive including the leftover of unfired detonators, fuse wires etc.
   
7. 
   The unfired detonators, explosives, and fuse wires will be collected separately as per the specification and handed over to the concerned security personnel of the government on site on a daily basis.
   

6.1.4.2 Traffic related Accidental Risks

Two types of vehicular traffics are expected in the area. One that brings construction materials from the south confined to the Mechi highway; and the other that facilitates day to day construction works confined to the construction site vicinity. The former traffic comprising heavy vehicles with high pay loads are slow moving. Expected vehicular traffic of this type will be a maximum of 30 to 35 in a day during the construction period in the Mechi highway corridor. The later traffic confined to the active construction sites comprises both light and heavy vehicles. Expected vehicle number in the construction site is more than 100. This traffic is also expected to frequently pass through the Mechi highway.

Since the Mechi highway corridor is not heavily congested with the traffic, the envisaged increment in the daily traffic numbers related to the project is not expected to cause congestions. The road being narrow is expected to slow down the vehicular movement particularly when the high payload trucks pass through the corridor in some sections. The speed of vehicle, particularly light vehicles related to the project and rash driving related to project construction works in the construction site, has potential of fatal accidents. Similarly, parking of the project vehicles by the side of the Mechi highway has potential to obstruct the other vehicles and sometimes lead to fatal accidents. The other effects of the fast moving project vehicles in the earthen roads is the fugitive dusts polluting the ambient air of the corridor to a distance of up to 100m from the corridor which is already discussed in section 6.1.3.1, I above.

Mitigation

1. 
   Placing of hoarding boards along the Mechi highway indicating that the project construction is ongoing and the heavy payload vehicles related to construction works are on the move for precautionary driving to the other road users
   
2. 
   Placing traffic signs at the critical locations of the Mechi highway and the project internal access roads
   
3. 
   Placing signs for speed limits of the vehicles in the Mechi highway and the project internal access roads
   
4. 
   Restriction on speed limits for all the project related vehicles in the Mechi highway and the project internal access roads
   
5. 
   Restriction on the parking of the project vehicles by the side of Mechi highway and the project internal access roads
   
6. 
   Arrangement for project vehicle parking at the construction sites and construction camps
   
7. 
   Regular training and instruction to the project vehicle drivers on the safe driving
   
8. 
   Project environmental officer will monitor the performance of the safe driving instructions, parking, and speed limit and report to the project management and contractor for immediate actions for non-compliance and the concerned will oblige to take the recommended action for compliance
   

6.1.4.3 Community Health and Safety

The project is expected to impinge upon the community health and safety due to four main reasons:

1. 
   Project construction activity related pollution of air, water, and land
   
2. 
   Project camps related pollution of air, water and land
   
3. 
   Project traffic related accidents and
   
4. 
   Transmission of disease from the influx of construction workforce from outside and influx of economic opportunity seekers from the project but not employed directly by the project.
   

Of the four, first three have been discussed from the pollution perspective in sections 6.1.3.1; I, II, III, V, VI, VII, and X. The pollution of the air, water, noise and land has a direct inter-relationship with the community health, for the people of the project areas are not exposed to levels of pollution that is expected during the project construction period.

Transmission of communicable disease such as STD, viral infections, malaria, from the outside workforce is of serious concern. The project areas during the construction phase is opportune areas for illegal prostitution activities because of the availability of disposable money and eager biological needs for persons living alone away from family. Possibility of transmission of HIV/AIDS is one of the critical silent issues related to health of the local communities as well. Apart from this epidemic outbreaks of communicable and water borne diseases is highly potential due to pollution of the water resources which might also affect the local communities. Congregation of a large number of people for various economic opportunities related to the project has potential to degrade the overall sanitation status of the area, particularly in the new market centers developed locally to cater to the services of the project workers. Uncared solid waste, use of polluted water sources in such areas is of a concern to the health and safety of the local communities.

Mitigation

1. 
   Carryout pollution prevention of air, water, noise, an land as elaborated in sections 6.1.3.1; I, II, III, V, VI, VII, and X ;
   
2. 
   Protection of water supply sources of local communities from pollution activities of the project
   
3. 
   Barricading the project active construction sites by fences and guards at the entrance and exit to restrict local people without official permission to enter in the active construction sites to prevent construction work related accidents;
   
4. 
   Minimize pedestrian interaction with construction vehicles through parking facilities, traffic signs, and posting traffic guards at critical locations;
   
5. 
   Collaborate with local communities and responsible authorities to improve signage, visibility and overall safety of roads, particularly along stretches located near schools and market centers other locations where children may be present;
   
6. 
   Collaborate with local communities on education about traffic and pedestrian safety (e.g. school education campaigns and community awareness programs);
   
7. 
   Provision of first aid to stabilize the accident injured people;
   
8. 
   Transport container of hazardous materials are labeled with the type of material and quantity along with shipment documents and chain of custody;
   
9. 
   Elimination of water impoundment caused by construction works and in the local market areas;
   
10. 
    Maintain sanitation conditions of the market areas servicing the construction workers in coordination with the market area communities;
    
11. 
    Public awareness programs on STD, HIV and AIDS in collaboration with the local health posts;
    
12. 
    Distribution of free condoms to the construction workforce in the construction camps on request;
    
13. 
    Emergency plan for the control of diseases in the event of epidemic outbreak to ensure information disseminations on preventive actions, curative actions and medication services in coordination with local health posts;
    
14. 
    Project environmental officer will monitor and prepare updated information on the community health issues related to project actions
    

6.1.4.4 Occupational Health and Safety

Hydropower projects involve wide ranging construction activities that have potential implications on the occupational health and safety. Occupation health hazards could emanate from the general conditions of the living environment and working area environment. Sometimes the ignorance of the workforce also leads to occupational hazards. Additionally, there are physical hazards, chemical hazards, fire hazards, electrical hazards etc. related to occupational health and safety. Failure to address the hazards and their potentials to impinge on the occupation heath could have a significant impact on the project construction schedules apart from the health of the construction workforce.

Mitigation:

The mitigation actions will include five basic elements i) elimination of hazard, ii) controlling of hazard, iii) minimization of hazard, iv) providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and v) treatment of patients. As the workforce management is largely controlled by the contractors, it will be the responsibility of the contractors to prepare an Occupational Health and Safety Management Plan based on the above elements, which among other shall include:

1. 
   OHS training to the construction workforce on regular basis depending on the nature of job he /she is performing,
   
2. 
   Firefighting training to groups of construction workforce working in areas potential of fire hazards
   
3. 
   Hazardous chemical containment training to groups of construction workforce working in areas of hazardous chemical storage
   
4. 
   Emergency preparedness training and drill operations on regular basis for firefighting, chemical containment, or evacuation to response the untoward emergency
   
5. 
   Regular monitoring on the use of PPE by the construction workforce as required by the nature of a job;
   
6. 
   Design and maintenance of living conditions of camps, and working environment related to ventilations, noise, indoor air pollutions, light, sanitation facilities, first aid medications etc.;
   
7. 
   Provisioning of a health care facility with equipment, medication and health professional to stabilize the injured in the event of accidents and to respond to the epidemic outbreak in the camp or out in the community;
   
8. 
   Provision of stand by ambulance in the active construction site to evacuate the injured and stabilize the health in the health care facility before he/she is transferred to the nearest hospital;
   
9. 
   Establishment of a helipad close to construction site for emergency evacuation of the injured if so required.
   

6.1.4.5 Security related Law and Order Erosion

The project development site is a rural area, where everyone in the community knows each other by face and name. This in itself is an asset which automatically maintains the law and order in the local community. Once the construction work starts, a large number of people come into the area which may be project employee or outsider visiting project site for economic opportunities. Obviously, these will outnumber the people residing in the construction sites and its vicinity, which might psychologically or physically threaten the local law and order situation. Incidents of quarrels, burglary, gambling, teasing the local girls etc. are likely and potentially of a serious concern to the local communities. Apart from this, stealing of construction goods from the construction sites and storage area have occurred in the past at the ongoing projects and could be likely in this project area as well. The limited security personnel of the government may not be able to cope with the changed situation to maintain the law and order.

Mitigation

1. 
   Prepare a code of conduct for the construction workforce and the project staff on how to behave with the local people of the project area, which besides others will include:
   

• 
  Respect to the local people their culture, traditions and women
  
• 
  Not indulge in any conflict with the local people
  
• 
  Not to gamble with the local community people
  
• 
  Not to drink alcohol outside the construction camps and roam local markets after consuming alcohol
  

2. 
   Co-ordinate with local security agency to increase the security force in and around the construction sites to watch the security situation and take needed action to the defaulters.
   
3. 
   The contractor will employ its own security personnel to protect the construction goods at the camps, active construction sites and in the storage area. Preferably local retired military and police personnel will be employed in such security posts in co-ordination with project VDCs authorities.
   

Summary of the predicted impacts for environmental issuesnot covered in the EIA TOR are presented in Table 6.18 below.

Table 6.18: Summary of the Impact Prediction on Environmental Issues not covered in the EIA TOR

SN	Other Issues	Direct / Indirect Impact	Extent	Duration	Magnitude
A	Construction Phase
1	Explosive Risk	D	S	ST	L
2	Traffic related accidental risks	D	L	ST	L
3	Community health and safety	ID	L	ST	M
4	Occupational health and safety	D	S	ST	H
5	Security related law and order erosion	ID	L	ST	M

Note: D = Direct, ID = Indirect, S= Site specific, L= Local, R= Regional, ST=Short Term, LT= Long Term, H = High, M=Moderate, LO= Low

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

The proposed Kabeli Corridor transmission line project funded by the World Bank is envisaged to provide transmission line facility to the licensed hydropower projects of the eastern region including the KAHEP to be developed in the immediate future. A separate IEE/EIA study for this transmission line project was conducted by NEA in compliance with the government of Nepal statuary environmental legislation and the World Bank policy and operational directives. This project has been given environmental clearance from the government of Nepal and the World Bank and is under construction planning in the near future. The key environmental impacts of the transmission line project are briefly summarized hereunder in the context of the KAHEP development.

The proposed transmission line is a 132 kV double circuit line with a line length of 83.74 Km. It consists of a bear conductor of size 326.1 mm². Total tower estimated for the transmission line is 287 with 55 angle towers. Right of Way (ROW) of the transmission line is 18m. There are 4 associated sub-stations for the transmission line located at Damak, Illam, Phidim and Kabeli.

The transmission line passes through 25 VDCs of 4 districts namely Terhathum (Chattedhunga), Panchthar (Amarpur, Shuvang, Bharapa, Phidim, Chokmagu, Siwa, Nawamidanda, Imbung, Pauwasartap & Chilingden), Ilam (Phakphok, Chamaita, Ektappa, Mangalbare, Sangarumba, Siddhithumka, Soyak, Godak, Chisapani, Danabari, Mahamai, Bajho & Chulachuli) and & Jhapa (Lakhanpur). It starts from 132/33 kV sub-station at Sabitra Chowk of Lakhanpur VDC in the Terai and extend north east through Chaju Khola at the foot hills of Chure and across Chure mountains into the valley of Mai Khola in the Mahabharat and Midlands. From Soyak, it bifurcates into two branches: the short one extending north east from Soyak up to Godak 132/33 kV substation (Setuwabesi, Godak VDC-3) and the longer one extending north-north-west from Soyak up to Amarpur 132/33 kV substation (Pinasighat, Amarpur VDC-9) in the northern part of midland zone (Figure 6.7).

Figure 6.7: Districts and VDCs across KCTLP

The key environmental impacts identified for the projects are:

• 
  Land use change and restriction in approximately 155.057 ha of land
  
• 
  Impacts of electromagnetic fields
  
• 
  Forest land fragmentation
  
• 
  Loss of 59.26ha of forest area including 19.472 government forest, 23.801 ha community forest and 15.981 ha private forest
  
• 
  Loss of 18877 seedlings, 7191 saplings, 10494 poles and 3317 trees worth NRs. 1,03,58,250.00 @ NRs. 30 / plant for 3,45,275 trees
  
• 
  Bird Hits particularly across the waterways
  
• 
  Weeds encroachment in the transmission ROW
  
• 
  Loss of 96.415 ha of private land permanently belonging to 914 households
  
• 
  Loss of 6.98 ha of private land temporarily during construction belonging to 55 households
  
• 
  Loss of 23 built structures worth NRs 80,50,000 including 18 permanent structures and 5 temporary structures
  
• 
  Loss of standing crops in the permanently occupied areas and in the land use worth NRs.86,32,387
  
• 
  Impacts on occupational health
  
• 
  Impacts on community health and hygiene
  

To minimize the envisaged impacts and to maximize the beneficial impacts, the project has augmented following mitigation measures as under:

• 
  Cleared area will be replanted and ground clearance activities will be limited to trimmings of the tall standing trees prarticularly in the steep slopes.
  
• 
  The spoil materail generated will be managed properly and sidecasting on the side slopes will be controlled.
  
• 
  Tower foundations sites will be further re-examined from the stability point and excavations along tower foundations will be minimized to the required depth only.
  
• 
  The loss of forest land use due to clearance of tall trees along ROW wil be compensated by the compensatory afforestation programs.
  
• 
  Standing trees and vegetation along ROW particularly in the hilly terrian will not be cleared untill and unless the clearance is necessary and the clearance area will be planted by NTFP species of lower heights.
  
• 
  Agricultural land use will be allowed for agricultural purpose.
  
• 
  Except in the sub-station heavy machinery will not be used for construction and noise producing construction activities will be carried out in the day time zone only.
  
• 
  Liquid and solid waste will be collected in safe area and disposed safely . Spent oils, mobils, and other chemicals generated will also be safely collected in drums and disposed as per the advice of the engineers.
  
• 
  Toilets in the camps and active construction sites will be constructed as per the requirement to prohibit haphazard defecation.
  
• 
  Regular sprinkling of water will be done at the consatruction sites to minimise the fugitive dust emissions.
  
• 
  Fuel wood will be replaced by the subsidised kerosine or LPG at the camp sites.
  
• 
  Good earthing in all the pylon structures, regular trimming of the trees will be provisioned to reduce the impact and effects of electromagnetic fields.
  
• 
  Additionally, an awareness program will be also launched to further avoid and minimize the impacts on the safety issues to the communities along the ROI of transmission corridor..
  
• 
  Control the workforce on the damage on the vegetation structure and punish those who indulge on such activities.
  
• 
  Use of bird flight diverters across to increase the visibility of the conductors to avoid the bird hits particularly across the waterways.
  
• 
  Erection of barricade around the tower foundations and substation sites and uses of thorny protuberances around pylon to divert wild animals and to restrict climbing along the pylon.
  
• 
  The loss of land and property, price of the standing crops, fodder tress, fruits trees will be compensated at the market price.
  
• 
  The household will be provided with salvation of the demolished material and transportation cost will be provided to transport salvaged material.
  
• 
  Extra Discomfort allowances for 6 month rental and livelihood subsistence will also be provided to those whose house is demolished.
  
• 
  NTFP enhancement training will be given to the forest community user groups and NTFP plantation will be encouraged in RoW.
  
• 
  The lost community resources due to the project will be compensated as per the forest guideline 2006.
  
• 
  Telephone and electricity users will be given prior information regarding the disruption of the services and services will be re-established once the cable stringing is completed.
  
• 
  The affected households will be given priority in the project job. The job gender discrimination will be avoided. Priority will also be given to the female members and members of the indiginous, tribal and vulnerable groups in the job, enhancement and training program.
  
• 
  The construction workforce will be regularly instructed to respect female member of the community, local people and their traditions and culture.They will be instructed to remain within the camps and not to enter into the private premises without informing or without the permission.
  
• 
  The local law and order authorities will be regularly informed about the construction planning and sites of construction works and ativities In case of construction related work force impacts, the project will support the schools of the project affected VDCs,
  
• 
  Health and safety plans will be prepared and operationalised for the entire period of construction to safeguard the health and safety of the construction workforce.
  
• 
  The construciton workforce will be instructed about the risk of the constrction works regualrly and will be provided with protective equipments.
  
• 
  First aid kits will be provisioned in all working sites.
  

Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been prepared for the KCTLP to set out environmental management requirements and to develop procedures to ensure that all mitigation measures and monitoring requirements will be carried out in subsequent stages of project development. To ensure that the recommended mitigation and monitoring actions are duly implemented, monitored, assessed, evaluated and disseminated to the stakeholders for feedback and improvement, the KCTLP, PMO will establish a separate Environmental and Social Unit (ESU) of its own The ESU will comprise of two sub-units, namely Environmental and Social Implementation Sub-unit (ESISU) and Environmental and Social Monitoring Sub-unit (ESMSU).