Environmental and Social Management Framework (esmf)

Negative Impacts

258. 
     The ESMF also identifies a number of potential negative impacts that may result from the implementation of the subprojects. On the environment side, these negative impacts might include the following:
     

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  Eutrophication of aquatic environment
  
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  Loss of biodiversity and cultural heritage
  
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  Increased use of agrochemicals resulting in pollution of both ground and surface waters;
  
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  Increased use of fertilizers which may lead to eutrophication of water bodies;
  
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  Threats to human health and the environment due to poor pesticides and herbicides storage, handling and application by agro dealers and smallholder farmers;
  
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  Contamination of water due to poor management of pesticides;
  
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  Increased siltation of water bodies due to increased cultivation on marginal lands;
  
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  Loss of vegetation from land clearing to pave way for increased agricultural production and feeder roads;
  
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  Increased soil erosion due to topsoil removal and excavations;
  
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  Soil pollution due to spillage of rehabilitation materials;
  
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  Deteriorating water quality due to spillage of oil, lubricants and hazardous substance
  
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  Air pollution from dust generated by rehabilitation works;
  
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  Increased road traffic accidents;
  
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  Generation solid and liquid waste;
  
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  Compulsory land acquisition;
  
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  Crop residue and other solid waste;
  
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  Atmospheric emission and particulate matter;
  
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  Noise.
  

258. 
     On the social side, negative impacts may include:
     

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  Increased social marginalization and inequality if the program is not delivered in an inclusive, equitable and participatory way;
  
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  Possible exclusion of eligible beneficiaries due to lack of information or capacity to apply;
  
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  Reinforcement of traditional social norms and women’s under-representation in labor force if programs fail to effectively recruit women beneficiaries;
  
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  Insufficient or weak information disclosure and consultations;
  
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  Loss of trust in central and local institutions in the event of poor handling of project-related grievances;
  
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  Occupational health and safety hazards related to the chosen self-employment activities.
  
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  The workload at the employment centers are likely to go up, which will have implications on resources, the lack of capacity of local staff. New recruitments may hinder smooth implementation of the project.
  

258. 
     As evident from the above, the Project design does not carry inherent social risks. However, the quality of implementation of the present ESMF, as well as the stakeholder engagement activities, and labor management procedures may impact the degree of achievement of positive impacts and possibly produce related risks as well.