Chapter 1: introduction

Supplementary Studies and Report Finalization

This EIA Report, apart from findings of 2010 field work and analysis, has been updated several times based on findings from additional field works, supplementary studies and revisions. These supplementary studies and revisions were done only for the critical issues where ambiguity was encountered. These studies have been listed below in chronological order.

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  Social Assessment (SA) and Social Action Plan (SAP) of Kabeli A Hydroelectric Project: SA and SAP study were carried out separately by Hydro-Consult Engineering Limited (previously HCPL) in parallel with the EIA in 2010 and 2011 This complements the EIA in social impacts and mitigations. The latest version of the SA and Sap were prepared in July 2013.
  

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  Review by Panel of Experts (PoE): PoE of KAHEP comprised of five members including one environmental and one social expert. Environmental and Social PoE members visited the KAHEP site on December 2012 and reviewed/ commented on the draft EIA Report. The EIA report was again reviewed by the environmental member of PoE in November 2011 and again in February 2013. All the comments and suggestions of the PoE are incorporated in this final EIA Report. In addition, the environmental and social PoE members also reviewed the bid documents for incorporating environmental and social aspects.
  

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  Dam Safety Plan Report (DSPR): Despite all the safety measures envisaged by the design and safeguard documents, a dam safety plan is vital so that an acceptable level of dam safety is ensured. A Dam Safety Plan Report based on the suggestions of experts and PoE to list out different plans and programs to be carried out at different times during the implementation and operation of the project was prepared in May 2011 by Hydro-Consult Engineering. DSPR has Operation and Maintenance Plan (O&MP), Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) and Instrumentation Plan (IP) as integral parts for Kabeli-A project for ensuring the nonstructural safety of the barrage structure. The DSPR was also reviewed by the World Bank dam safety specialist.
  

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  Ecological Flow Assessment of Kabeli River: The KEL commissioned an independent assessment of the ecological flow in Kabeli River by engaging two national fish experts in August-November 2011 for assessing minimum releases and ecological flow requirements considering fish habitat, migration, and thriving/ survival conditions. The experts gave recommendations for the minimum flow requirements and Ecological Flow Management Plan based on experiences in Nepal and other countries.
  

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  Review of EIA by National Environmental Expert: A national environmental experts was engaged from November 2012-January 2013 to review and update the EIA report in light of the comments received from US ED in June 2012. The national expert also reviewed additional secondary information related to the Kabeli basin to improve the cumulative impacts of hydropower development in the basin.
  

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  Review of EIA by International Environmental Expert: KEL engaged an international environmental expert to further improve the EIA in March 2013. The International expert also updated the EIA considering all the studies carried out till March 2013. The international expert considered the entire Tamor basin, not only Kabeli basin, for reviewing the impact on fish, minimum downstream flow and cumulative impacts.
  

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  Engagement of International Fish Expert: An international fish expert with substantial experience in Nepalese rivers was engaged in June 2013 to further review and revise the EIA, particularly fish and downstream flow issues. The international expert, together with local fish expert from KEL, made a rapid site visit in June 2013 and contributed to the improved and revised relevant sections of the EIA. The expert also provided some input regarding cumulative implications on the fishes and ecology of the entire Tamor basin considering the development of other hydropower in the Tamor and Kabeli Rivers.
  

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  Rapid Cumulative Impact Assessment (RCIA): RCIA study was carried out as a supplementary study for the EIA in November 2011 by the EIA Consultant for assessing the impacts of KAHEP on Kabeli basin. The CIA study looks into the “As Is analysis” and “Possible Scenario Analysis” of hydropower development in the Kabeli basin and provides recommendations for KAHEP and other potential developers to offset possible cumulative impacts on the basin. The RCIA has been updated at different stages – the current version of Chapter 7 incorporates information available until July 2013.
  

The World Bank, IFC, KEL and HCE teams have worked together to improve and make the EIA Report more feasible. The current EIA (July 2013), therefore, is the updated and revised version that incorporates the findings from the above mentioned studies and subsequent revisions.

Chapter II: PROJECT DESCRIPTION

1. Project Location

KAHEP is located on the Kabeli River Basin in the eastern Nepal (Figure No. 2.1). The Kabeli River at the project site is designated as a natural border between the Panchthar and Taplejung districts. The project site is approximately 800 km east of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.

Figure 2.1: Location Map of KAHEP

The weir of the project is located at the border of Amarpur VDC of Panchthar and Thechambu VDCs of Taplejung district. The approximate longitude and latitude of the proposed intake is 87⁰44'56"E and 27⁰16'40"N. The intake, desilting basin, tunnel alignment, surge shaft, penstock pipe, and powerhouse and tailrace canal of the project falls within the jurisdiction of Amarpur VDC in the Pachthar District (Figure 2.2).

The geographical grid assigned in the survey license for the project does not fall inside the boundary of any protected areas such as National Park, Wildlife Reserve, Hunting Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary and conservation area.

2.