Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact Assessment
OF
Submitted To:
Ministry of Forests and Environment (MOFE)
Through
Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation(MoEWRI)
And
Department of Electricity Development (DoED)
Submitted By:
Sita Hydro Power Company Pvt. Ltd.
Kalimati-13, Kathmandu,
Tel no.: 9801024065, 01-4372442
__________________
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
ACRONYMS
⁰ Degree
AD Anno Dominie
Avg. Average
E East
HP Hydropower Project
Ltd. Limited
N North
No. Number
Pvt. Private
RM Rural Municipality
RoR Run-off-river
Metric Unit
% Percentage
‘ Minutes
“ Second
d/s Downstream
Hz Hertz
km kilometer
kV Kilovolt
kW Kilowatt
l Liter
m Meter
MW Megawatt
u/s Upstream
V: H Vertical is to Horizontal
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
1 CHAPTER I
1.1INTRODUCTION
Background
The perennial nature of Nepalese rivers and the steep gradient of the country's topography
pro-vide ideal conditions for the development of some of the world's largest hydroelectric
projects in Nepal. Nepal has about six thousand small and big rivers hurling from the
Himalayas and high mountains towards the plain of the Terai. The gross hydropower
potential of these rivers has been estimated to be about 83,000 MW out of which 43,000
MW is economically feasible.
Hydropower plants across the country are generating 894.359 MW at present (DoED,
2017). Plants promoted by private sector added 121.5 MW to the national grid in 2016. NEA
has not made any contribution to the national grid since 2008 when Mid-Marshyangdi
Hydropower Project (70 MW) started generation. NEA hopes to complete the Rasuwa-
based Upper Trishuli 3A plant this year.
The present power demand in the country is more than 900 MW. The demand is increasing
by more than 10 percent per annum. After the successful completion of the on-going rural
electrification scheme and with the adequate supply of power in industrial and commercial
sectors, the demand is expected to grow rapidly. Rapid growth of industrial establishments
and increasing rural electrification require more supply of power in future. Therefore, there
is enough demand for hydropower energy and hence, there is ample scope of developing
small hydropower projects in hilly districts of Nepal.
The country started seeing positive changes after efficient transformation in Minister for
Energy which led to strict implementation by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). NEA
brought unexpected changes in electricity supply and uninterrupted power supply in
October caught many by surprise. It prioritizes its focus on demand-side management and
strengthened existing supply systems, among others.
Government of Nepal (GoN) has adopted liberal policy to attract private investors for the
development of small hydropower projects. NEA, the GON undertaking, the purchasing
price for the power generated from such small projects with less than 25 MW has
announced its policy to purchase the power produced by the private developers of small
hydropower projects up to 25 MW capacity and bigger projects with more than 25 MW
capacity been fixed at NRs. 4.80 for the eight wet months and NRs. 8.40 for remaining four
dry months. Months Poush to Chaitra are considered as dry months. There will be an
annual increment of 3% in this price for first five years since first date of commercial
operation. The purchasing price after the first five years shall be decided considering the
price escalation factor. The rate for the project bigger than 25 MW capacities shall be
finalized with negotiation between NEA and the developer and the average rate provided by
NEA to the developers of this scale is around 6.5 cents/kWh and 3% of annual escalation for
6 to 8 years depending on the project financial indicators.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
In order to assist the capital need for the construction of bigger hydropower projects with
capacity more than 25 MW, the government has recently established a Jalabidyut Lagani
Tatha Bikash Company Limited to support the private investors within the country.
Domestic commercial banks have also shown their interest to invest in hydropower projects
as priority sector investment. This policy has encouraged the private investors to develop
small to bigger hydropower projects and meet the growing demand of power in the country.
The NEA solely manages the hydropower industry in Nepal. At present NEA is catering
16,70,610 households, which is about 45% of the total population of Nepal. Nepal has been
able to harness only about 1% of its gross power generation potential. This shows that the
efforts made by the government and NEA are not adequate enough to harness the vast
hydropower potential of the country and meet the growing demand in the short run.
Legislation in Nepal provides opportunity for development and operation of hydropower
projects either by NEA or the private developers, under the terms of survey and production
licensing arrangements set forth by GoN. Electricity Act- 2049 has facilitated wide business
opportunities to indigenous as well as foreign investors for developing hydropower projects.
In this regard, the government has already granted permission to few independent power
producers (IPPs) to develop hydropower projects in different parts of the country. Khimti-I
(60 MW), Andhi Khola (9.4 MW), Jhimruk Khola (12.5 MW), Upper Bhotekoshi (36 MW),
Chilime (22 MW), Indrawati-III (7.5 MW), Piluwa Khola (3 MW), Sunkoshi Khola (2.6
MW), Chaku Khola (3 MW), Khudi Khola (4 MW), Thoppal Khola (1.65 MW), Dudh Khola
(4.8 MW), Ridi Khola (2.4 MW), Mai Khola (4.5 MW), Hewa Khola (4.455 MW), Sipiring
Khola (10 MW), Lower Modi-1 (10 MW), Siuri Khola (5 MW), Baramchi Khola (4.2 MW),
Bijayapur-1 (4.5 MW), Middle Chaku Khola (1.8 MW) and Tadi Khola (5 MW), Syange (183
kW), Arun Kabeli A (25 MW), Upper Chaku A (22.2 MW), Thapa Khola (11.2 MW), Khani
Khola 1 (40 MW), Upper Marshyangdi Hydropow¬er plant (50 MW), Lower Hewa (21.6
MW), Solu Hydropower project (23.5 MW), and Upper Madi Hydropower plant (2 MW)
identified and constructed by various IPPs, are already generating electricity. The Upper
Tamakoshi Hydropower Project (456 MW), which was projected to begin generation this
year by GoN will start generation by July 2018. "
The designed installed capacity of DKHP is 65 MW with design discharge of 18.05 m3/s
(Q40%) and net head of 424.40 m. The survey license for the DKHP with an installed
capacity of 65 MW was issued to Sita Hydropower Company P. Ltd. By Ministry of Energy,
Water Resources and Irrigation (MoEWRI) through Department of Electricity and
Development (DoED) on 2074/02/04. Techno Quarry Consults P.Ltd. has conducted the
feasibility of the project independently. The survey license is valid upto 2076/02/03. The
entire project components including access road to be constructed lie in the following
district, rural municipality and co-ordinates.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Province Gandaki
District Manang
Geographical
Between 84° 21' 20” E to 84° 23' 55” E and 28°31’27” N to 28°33'17” N
Location
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
S.
Name of Expert Qualification Designation
No.
MSC.
1. Pratik Rijal Team Leader/EIA expert
Environment Management
BSC. Environment
3. Chakshu Malla EMP Expert
Management
MSC.
7. Ashrika Sharma DRM Expert
Disaster Risk Management
Apart from the above some short-term experts and research assistant have been involved at
the various periods of study including the local people during socio-economic, physical and
biological surveys.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Time Schedule
The tentative time schedule to conduct and approval of EIA study from the beginning is
presented in
Table 3 EIA Time Schedule
6. Approval of EIA
EIA Budget
The Proponent has allocated a total of 10 lakh NRs. to carry out the complete EIA study.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Reference. In order to keep the study as per the Scoping and ToR of the study, impact on
each issue has been discussed, evaluated and the mitigation measures have been proposed.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
sites (Temples, cremation grounds, festival sites etc.) and historical /archaeological sites
within the direct project affected areas. Other information related to the culture and
religious sites were collected by focus group discussions (cultural practices, traditions,
significance etc.)
Chemical Environment
The record on the chemical environment was collected by using the simple checklists
(Annex XII). Methods employed for the data collection were indirect assessment of air
quality; water sample collection at two locations (headwork and powerhouse) at Dudh
Khola and laboratory analysis for water quality; and direct observation, and measurements
of sound pressure level at two locations (headworks and powerhouse) for noise quality.
Apart from the above information, discussions were carried out with local communities for
gathering information on air, water, noise and solid waste.
Biological Environment
A walkthrough survey along with interview with the key informants were carried out in the
project area for collecting information on the effect of project activities on biological
environment, particularly on forest, and wildlife by using a sample checklist and
questionnaire (Annex XII). Different plant species and forest types were observed between
Intake site and Tailrace and in the region of key project activity’s sites such as powerhouse,
surge tank, spoil disposal sites, head- works, adits, construction camps, quarry sites, access
road, etc. Since the project area is located inside the boarder of Annapurna Conservation
Area, required information on flora and fauna in the core project area and its vicinity were
obtained from ACA post located at Chame as well as from the central office Kathmandu.
Divisional Forest Office of Manang was also frequently consulted and a member from the
district forest office was together with the EIA study team.
Parameter such as common, fair, sparse, and rare was used to know the status of flora and
fauna. In addition, discussions were also held with local people on likely impacts of the
project activities on biological environment with possible and locally appropriate site-
specific mitigation measures.
Considering the occurrence of the forest types and topography, each tree/shrub/herb
species of the project was recorded through sampling method. 5 representative quadrates of
25m x 25m were taken for tree species, 5m x 5m for shrub vegetation and 1m x 1m for
herbal vegetation. Two sites for shrub and herb were taken inside the main 25m x 25m
quadrate later to unravel the plant species characteristics of the area
The taxonomic identity of some plants could not be confirmed in the field. The collected
unidentified and suspicious samples were identified by comparing with voucher specimen
at Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kritipur.
Besides, in the forest areas affected by project structures, enumeration of the trees was
conducted. Height and girth of each tree species was measured to know species wise
number of trees and calculate the standing wood volume, which needs to be cleared for the
development of the project. The classification of trees, poles, and saplings used in the study
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
is: Trees over 30 cm dbh are considered as timber trees, trees having 10 to 29.9 cm dbh are
referred to as pole size trees and trees with less than 10 cm dbh are termed saplings. Based
on this information, loss of tree species, loss of standing wood volume, were calculated for
each tree species using following formulas:
dbh (d) = CBH/ n, where n = 3.14
Basal Area = n d2/4
Volume (m3) = Basal Area x Tree height x Form factor,
Where, form factor = 0.5
To understand the wildlife diversity, habitat and ecology, both direct and indirect methods
were used. Transect walks were performed to observe wildlife status in each forest areas
located close to the project sites (Powerhouse, water conveyance, forebay, access road,
headworks, and canal alignment) three times in a day viz the early morning, afternoon, and
late evening hours. Each walk period covered nearly 3 km distance and lasted for about 2.5
hours. Animals and birds observed along the corridor were recorded, along with
information on their habitat. This method of continuous recording (Martin and Batson,
1993; Chalise, 2003) was adopted for the collection of general information on species
diversity and population by direct observation. This method is also known as Visual
Encountered Sampling to reflect wildlife population and diversity. Besides above, a ten-
minute scan sampling was also undertaken in each transect corridor to observe wildlife
species diversity in forest areas. This was repeated several times during an observation
session, shifting the observation site in each hour interval. Continuous and libitum
sampling was also performed during the forest walk and all new observations were recorded
(Altmann, 1974).
The presence of animals and birds were also recorded by the identification of pug
marks/footprints, droppings/pallets, ground digging and uprooting, tree scratching and
marking, remains (skin, fur, feathers, bones, horns/antlers and carcasses), nests, holes and
burrows, etc. In addition, call counts, cries, smell/odor, leftover food, trampling of plants,
flowers and fruit bunches were also recorded. Additional information on animal movements
was obtained from discussions with a range of stakeholders that included local farmers,
community forest user groups etc.
Zooplankton, Phytoplankton and aquatic insects were collected from all sampling stations.
110 liters of River water was filtered through 50 mm plankton net with the help of a 100 ml
jug. Water with zooplankton collected in the plankton net was transferred in to the sample
bottle. Few drops of 5 % formaldehyde solution were added in to the plankton sample for
preservation. The preserved sample was taken to Nepal Environment and Scientific Services
at Kathmandu for further identification with the help of microscope and available literature.
One liter of water sample was collected in a glass jar. Then, the Lugal’s solution was added
into the glass jar till the weak tea colour appeared. Then, it was allowed to settle down for 15
hours. The preserved sample water was siphoned out with the help of plastic tube. The
sample solution was siphoned till it reaches 50 ml mark on the glass jar. Then, the left-out
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
solution of phytoplankton was transferred into the sample bottle. The preserved sample was
brought back to the laboratory for identification.
Aquatic insects were collected by D frame net (Drift net) and forceps which were preserved
under 90% ethanol for identification. Preservation is done following the method used by
Edmondson (1959) as the main reference. On site identification was conducted.
Unidentified samples were brought to lab for further identification.
Socio-economic and Cultural Environment
The present study utilized both primary and secondary information for socio-economic and
cultural data collection. For, the secondary data collection desk study and literature review
were carried out. Review of the approved ToR and Scoping of EIA Report: To tackle the
identified socio-economic and cultural environmental impacts during the EIA study, and
review of related policy, rules and regulations, guidelines etc. related to Environmental
Assessment process; Review of developed checklists and questionnaires from approved ToR
and Scoping.
Project Layout Map; Updated Project Feasibility Study Report of DKHP, 2014; Updated
Detailed Design Report of DKHP, 2015; District Profile of Manang, 2070; District Forest
Publication Report, Manang; District Agriculture Publication Report, Manang; Village
Profile and Situation Analysis of Nashong, 2070; Population of Nepal, Central Bureau of
Statistics, GoN, 2011, Document related to EIA study .
Mostly, the information’s related to Socio-economic Status of Project District (Manang) and
Socio-economic Status of Project Affected RM (Nahsong RM) were obtained from
secondary data (desk study and literature reviewed) as described above.
For, the primary data collection for EIA study of DKHP following methods was used:
Household Questionnaires
Household survey was conducted in project affected then Nashong Rural Municipality ward
no 5,6 and 7 by identifying affected families using the structured questionnaire to obtain
baseline information on demographic and educational status, ownership patterns and farm
practices, energy sources, income and expenditures, livestock, socio-economic and cultural
data and information. Likewise, observation was made on the basic health conditions,
housing and project-related issues etc. For the identified, PAFs here in case 33 PAFs (Annex
VI) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Primary data regarding socio-
economic status (demography, education, health and sanitation etc.) were analysed by the
expert.
Community Meeting
In order to enumerate the collective perception of the people for the implementation of
DKHP, Community meeting was conducted at Tilche of Nashong Rural Municipality.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
1.11EIA Methodology
Impact Analysis
After the full documentation of baseline environmental data of the project area, each of the
environmental parameters were examined against the project activities in the different
stages of project development using various methods and tools as required by the
environmental parameter in question. By using the format of National EIA Guideline, the
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
impacts are categorized as direct, indirect. Each of the direct and indirect impacts was
further evaluated in terms of their extent as site specific, local or regional. Each of these
were further analyzed in terms of duration as short-term, medium-term and long-term. The
magnitude of each of the impact is then evaluated as high, moderate and low based on the
conditions of the environmental parameter at present and estimated or projected damage
with the project. While doing so, reversibility of the impacts was also examined to rate their
magnitude. The evaluation of magnitude of impacts on value-based system as presented in
National EIA Guideline is not used because this system does not appropriately outline the
existing status and reversibility of the impact.
Public Hearing and Consultation
Regular public consultation is a part of the EIA study throughout the EIA study period.
Local people were consulted on to enrich the knowledge on the local physical, biological and
socio-economic and cultural environment of the area. Information pertaining to optimum
environmental mitigation option and environmental enhancement measures was also
obtained from the discussions and consultation with the local area people.
Focus Group Discussion, Rapid Rural Appraisal
Key Informant discussions to seek information on the project areas baseline environments
on biological and socio-economic and cultural aspects.
Direct observations were made to unravel the physical environmental conditions,
particularly, landscape, slopes, landslides, and other land degradation issues.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Aquatic fauna will be affected while diverting the water for power
generation
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Study Limitation
Secondary data from ACA was also used for exploring information on plants, animals, birds,
herpeto fauna, fish species. (Primary data was additional)
For getting information for physical information mostly updated feasibility report of Dudh
Khola was used for the completion of the study.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Medium Term (MT): An impact that continues for more than 3 years but less than 10 years
is considered as medium-term. The construction phase impacts which carry over 1-2 years
of operation phase falls under this category.
Long Term (LT): An impact that lasts beyond 10 years is considered to be long term.
The operation phase impacts are mostly categorized under this category.
The numerical scale based on National EIA Guideline (1993) EIA guideline is tabulated as
Table 5 Numerical scale proposed by the National EIA Guidelines
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
2 CHAPTER II
2.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT
Proponent has obtained the permission to study the project from the Department of
Electricity Development (DoED) and intended to develop the project through the same. The
feasibility study of the project has been completed by the consultant and plant capacity
proposed by the study was 65MW. The study has revealed that the project is technically
feasible and financially viable to develop from the finance of Nepalese financial institutions.
Project Details
Location
The proposed project lies at 84° 21' 20” E to 84° 23' 55” E and 28°31’27” N to 28°33'17” N
and the project has very easy access. The project component is located in ward no. 5, 6 & 7
of Nashong Rural Municipality of Manang District. Manang District is bordered by Gorkha
and Lamjung in the east. Mustang and Lamjung in the west, Mustang, Gorkha and Tibet in
the North and Kaski, Lamjung and Mustang in the South. The project lies about 157 km
north-west of the Kathmandu and about 43 km north of Besisahar, the district headquarters
of Lamjung and about 83 km north of the Dumre bazaar, the nearest market point of
Prithivi Highway from the project area.
The project area location map is shown in Figure 2.1, Figure 2.2 and Figure 2.3.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Accessibility
There is a blacktopped road of length 117 km from Kathmandu to Besisahar and from
Besisahar, there is a gravel road about 40 km up to Dharapani. From Dharapani, there is a
road head up to the project area. The powerhouse site is easily motorable which is on the
opposite bank of Dharapani while a road about 3 km heads up to the headworks area. The
project area lies on the right bank of the Dudh Khola. The headwork is located at Tilche
Village. The powerhouse is located at the confluence of Dudh Khola and Marsyangdi River.
The waterway consists of about 4336 m of tunnel and 552 m surface and 365.6 m
underground of penstock pipe. A surface powerhouse will be located on the left bank of the
river i.e. left bank of Marsyangdi River. An internal access road of 500 m will be constructed
and will require a crossing as the other project components are located on the right bank of
Dudh Khola. The GoN has a master plan to construct the road that will link Thoche to
China. Within this plan, a bridge will be constructed at Dudh Khola near Tilche village. The
DKHP will utilize this bridge to cross the river.
Table 6 Project Accessibility
Length
Route Type of Road
(Km)
Available Road
Besisahar-Chame
Besisahar Dharapani 40 Gravel
Road
New Construction
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Particular Features
Province Gandaki
Hydrology
General hydraulics
Capacity 65 MW
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Intake chamber
Headrace-tunnel
Shape D-Shaped
Length 4336.31m
Surge shaft
Internal diameter 8m
Height 30 m
Penstock
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Diameter 2.4 m
Powerhouse
Type Surface
Tailrace Canal
Shape Rectangular
Length 150 m
Slope 1 in 750
Turbine
No of units 3 Nos.
Generators
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Voltage 11 kV
Transmission line
Length 2 Km
Voltage 132 kV
Transformer
Frequency 50 Hz
Energy generation
Financial parameters
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Switch Yard
Type Outdoor
Access Road
Total Length 1 km
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The proposed headwork area is situated at 1.5 km upstream of Tilche village which is about
5 Km upstream of Dudh Khola from Thonche village of Nashong Rural Municipality. It is a
small valley bounded by high cliffs on both sides of the river. The foot trail to Tilche village
is used as a route to Manaslu base camp. The weir site is about 1500 m upstream from
Tilche village. On both sides of the Dudh Khola from intake site to the Tilche village, river
terraces have been formed in negligible amount which the local people have carried out
cultivation. On the left bank, there is a forest land up to the intake site and further
downstream, cultivated land is observed till the Tilche village. On the right side of the intake
site up to the village, there is little cultivated land. However, at the Tilche village the
cultivated land on the left side is more than on the right side of the river. Whereas, in the
steep cliff area, the approach to the river is shorter in distance on the right side compared to
the left side. The villagers have often suffered from rock falls (big boulders) from nearby
cliff. The steep cliffs consist of widely spaced highly jointed and slightly weathered banded
gneiss of Himalayan crystalline rocks.
The width of the proposed intake area of the Dudh Khola hydropower project is about 25 m
and along the downstream the width of the Dudh Khola increases for about 100 m and then
decreases. The natural hill slopes of the intake area on the both banks are steep. The
thickness of the recent and old alluvium deposits is more than 6 m. the rock of the intake
area shows the fresh to slightly weathered condition fractured rocks are observed at some
places.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The diversion weir will be a concrete gravity structure with an overflow spillway section on
its major portion and an undersluice on the left bank. The sizing of the free overflow
spillway and the undersluice is very much influenced by physical constraints related to the
ability to pass flood flows, river gradient at the weir site and stability of the section.
Following design criteria are used in the design of the spillway:
Due to the lack of storage volume at the weir site, a free flow ogee spillway is proposed
throughout the length of the diversion weir.
Based on the invert level of the intake and the minimum operating level of 2382.0 masl, the
crest elevation of the free overflow spillway is fixed at 2382.0 masl.
The free flow spillway is designed to pass the 1:100 years return period flood equal to 884
m3/s.
Abutments on either side of the river and the deck levels are provided above the flood water
level corresponding to the 1:100 years flood equivalent to 2385.16 masl.
Stability analysis of the free flow weir has been performed to check whether the proposed
weir is safe against sliding, overturning and bearing capacity of the foundation material.
Stability analysis is carried out for:
Normal operational condition
100 years return period flood condition
Seismic condition under normal operation
Description of the Structure
Diversion structure consists of a one-meter wide divide wall which separates the under
sluice from the free flow spillway. The divide wall starts from the beginning of the intake
structure at the upstream side and ends at the downstream end of weir. The top elevation of
the divide wall is 2385.16 masl.
The top level of the abutment on either side of the weir and the deck above the under- sluice
is located at an elevation of 2385.16 masl which is above the high flood level corresponding
to the 1 in 100 years return period flood. The free flow spillway occupies the most of the
length of the diversion weir which is 4.5 m high, when measured from the riverbed level (El
2377.50 masl). The foundation of the free flow weir is located at an elevation of 2374.50
masl, which is 3.0 m below the riverbed level. The free flow spillway is designed to pass
884m3/s equivalents to 100 years return period flood at an elevation of El. 2382.0 masl.
This gives a 1.0 m freeboard to the abutment and deck level. With this deck level of 2385.16
masl, the maximum height between the deck level and the riverbed level corresponds to
8.02 m. The undersluice invert level is fixed at 2375.0 masl. Stop-log guides will be
provided at the upstream side of the breast wall to allow maintenance of the undersluice
gate and embedded mechanical parts. The discharge through the undersluice is 88.4 m3/s
during 1 in 100-year flood. The estimated depth of flow during this flood is 3.0 m and the
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
corresponding velocity of flow is 8.7 m/s. The undersluice channel is a concrete lined
structure covered with hard stone up to 35.00 m downstream from the gate. At the
upstream side, the concrete lining covered with hard stone block will be provided in the bed
load hopper.
The location of the intake will be kept immediately upstream and adjacent to the
undersluice to facilitate the safe withdrawal of total flow of 21.66 m3/sec at MOL of
2382.00 masl. The invert level of the intake will be kept at a higher elevation than the invert
level of the undersluice to prevent the intrusion of the bed load into the river intake. The
dimensions of the intake openings are selected to maintain a velocity of 1.35 m/s through
the gross area of the coarse trash racks. Three intake orifice openings will be provided for
the withdrawal of the design discharge plus flushing discharge. Each of the intakes will have
a discharge capacity of 7.3 m3/s at minimum operation level of 2382.00 masl at the
headworks.
Description of the Structure
The river intake is located just upstream from the under-sluice. The center line of the intake
lies approximately 6.2 m upstream of the weir axis. The intake has been set at an angle of
118.6 degree to the weir. The invert of the intake is fixed at an elevation 2378.86 masl. This
level is 3.86 m above the invert level of the under sluice. This would prevent the intrusion of
bed load into the intake from the river. The coarse trash rack will be kept at an inclination of
75o with the horizontal in order to ease cleaning of the trash in front of the intake orifices.
Orifice type has been chosen to prevent the intrusion of floating material. Side intake with
orifice is provided in order to restrict the high discharge during flood. To ensure the design
discharge in the intake during minimum operating level, the sill level of the intake at the
location of the gates is lowered to 2378.86 masl.
Settling basin is the area of impoundment of water primarily to settle the suspended
particles in the water drawn from intake. Removal of suspended particles will reduce the
wear and tear of the nozzle and runners of the Pelton Turbines and other hydro-mechanical
components. The dimensions of the settling basin depend on the characteristics of the river,
the design discharge, and the particle size to be removed, which is typically 0.15 mm for
hydropower projects on the Himalayan River with very high head. Therefore; in this project,
considering the available high head, the particle size to be removed is taken as 0.15 mm.
Similarly, the trap efficiency for the particles equal to or bigger than 0.15 mm has been
taken as 90%.
Vertical lift gates at start and stop logs/gates at end are provided so that settling flushing
could also be carried out separately. Discharge from the entrance of the desander basin will
be passed into a collecting chamber before it heads for the headrace tunnel.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Intermittent flushing (during low flow period) is proposed in the settling basins. The
flushing interval during the flooding season is estimated to be 8 hours. Flushing in each
settling basin will be accomplished by using a head cutting process for which it is essential
to have supercritical flow along the basin floor during the operation. To obtain the required
hydraulic condition, the bed slope of the settling basin, flushing conduit and the flushing
channel are kept at 2.0%. The settling basin for this project is designed on the basis of the
concentration approach using camps removal factor.
Description of the Structure
A surface settling basin with two basins is located on the left bank of the river. During the
flushing operation, one basin will remain in operation while flushing takes place in another
basin. Each settling basin is designed for a discharge of 9.927 m3/sec including 10%
flushing requirement. The settling basin is designed to trap 90% of the critical grain size of
0.15 mm diameter. The width of each chamber is 10.0 m. Likewise; the depth of flow is
taken as 6.45 m. Each chamber will be 158.0 m long with an additional 21.0 m extra length
for the inclined transition at the beginning to ensure tranquil flow conditions before the
flow enters the basin. A hopper arrangement is made with side slope of 1:0.93 (H:V) on
both sides of each of the chamber to accommodate deposited sediment. The basin will have
flushing channel with a bottom width of 1.0m and longitudinal slope of 2.0%.
The side walls of the basin are extended up to 2381.26 masl. This would give 0.5-meter free
board in the settling basin. There is a provision of a vertical lift gate at start and at the end
to act as control structures. This will help to isolate each of the settling basins from the
other for maintenance and flushing purpose. Headrace tunnel inlet channel of 12.35 m and
4.2 m width conveys design discharge to the pressurized headrace tunnel. The flushing
operation will be carried out mostly during the monsoon season. Concrete wall built up to
El. 2203.95 masl will separate each channel and a deck on top of it will facilitate inspection
and maintenance of the basins. Horizontal flushing will be accomplished using a head
cutting process for which it is essential to have supercritical flow along the basin floor
during the operation. The bed slope of the settling basin will be 2.0 % in order to ensure the
required hydraulic conditions. Each basin has a flushing conduit at the end. Control gates to
operate the flushing conduit are provided at the end of the settling basin.
The flushing channel after gates is 158.0-meter-long, rectangular in shape with internal
dimension of 2.0 m x 1.5 m which joins with flushing channel of 1.0 m x 1.0 m at the end of
settling basin. The invert level of the outlet of the flushing channel is at 2371.15 masl, which
is above the maximum annual flood level in the river so that there will be no backwater
effect during flushing. The bed slope of the conduit will be 2%. The channel discharges
sediment laden water from the settling basin back to the river.
The desanding basin on the right bank of the Dudh Khola is located about 45 m
downstream from the proposed intake site. The desanding basin is located in old river
terrace with gentle slope. The proposed desanding basin area is composed of gravel to sand.
The rocks of the uphill sides are mainly banded type of gneiss, and they are fresh to slightly
weathered in nature and jointed. At the foothill, about 1-3 m thick colluviums deposits are
36
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
found. The proposed desanding basin is 4-5 m above from the riverbed. At the left bank
about 1 km downstream of intake area landslide is observed.
In this arrangement, the water is transported from inlet bay (after the desander) directly to
the powerhouse through a headrace tunnel. From the geological study carried out at the
project site the right side of the river is a better place for the headrace tunnel alignment due
to the geology and the distance of waterway. Also, this side of the river consists of very good
quality of rocks which enables the construction of tunnel alignment. This right side of the
river is under the jurisdiction of Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). On the left side, the
slope is gentle to mild and if the tunnel alignment is selected on the left side a crossing is
required near the powerhouse area. Since two major landslides are encountered along the
route to Thonche from Tilche village, some mitigation measures are required to be followed
while constructing tunnel. The landslide encountered near to the previously selected power
house site is debris flow, which has been deposited due to flow of the debris from upper part
of the hill-slope above the cliff. So, the tunnel alignment is selected on the right bank.
The inverted D shaped headrace tunnel has an excavated diameter of 3.0 m while the total
length up to surge tank is 4336.31 m. Only four work faces are envisaged for the headrace
tunnel construction. The tunnel will be driven from four work faces from the upstream &
downstream side only. The maximum length of drilling in the tunnel is nearly 1.2 km per
face.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Drill and blast method will be used for the tunnel excavation. Tunnel excavation will be
carried out using leg drill while rocker shovel and battery-operated rail cars or manual rail-
bound carts will be used for mucking. The tunnel will have pipelines for ventilation,
dewatering, and compressed air supply in addition to the low voltage power supply for
lighting, vent fan, dewatering. An audit tunnel will be excavated only for the construction of
surge tank as an independent work. As tunneling is the critical component of project
construction, it will be carried out in two shifts per day. The anticipated progress rate of
tunneling is 2.5 m per day per face or 65 m/month/face. Tunnel excavation will be
completed over a period of 20 months, which excludes the tunnel supporting. Tunnel
supporting like provision of shotcreting as well as concrete lining will take another 6
months. Concrete lining will be placed using sliding steel formwork once full excavation has
been made.
Gravel trap and flushing spillway is provided immediately after the intake. The total length
of the gravel trap is 12 m. Flushing channel is provided at the end of the gravel trap. The size
of the flushing channel at the gravel trap is estimated to be 3.0 m wide and 3.0 m high. The
maximum discharge through this flushing channel could be 1.8 m3/s at normal water level
of 2382.0 masl. Slope of 1 in 50 is provided in the flushing channel of gravel trap to
facilitate the flushing of the gravel trap. A side spillway of length 12m is provided
throughout the gravel trap.
A surge shaft has been provided at the end of the headrace tunnel to minimize water
hammer and mass oscillation effects due to sudden closure and opening of the inlet valve at
the powerhouse. Surge tank is primarily necessary to provide the cushion against the
sudden load rejection at the power plant and to provide a temporary storage of water to
smoothen the flow in the headrace tunnel and penstock pipe during sudden load
acceptance.
Proposed surge tank is a simple circular type surge tank having diameter of 8.0 m and
height of 30.0 m. The static water level at surge tank is 2372.11 masl. The maximum
upsurge and down surge are 2393.78 masl and 2369.04 masl respectively. The bed level of
surge shaft is 2361.84 masl.
Penstock is designed to carry the designed discharge from surge tank to turbines in the
powerhouse. An optimization study has been conducted to calculate the economical
diameter of the penstock pipe. The study is based on the increment of penstock pipe
diameter and the value of energy gain with respect to the pipe diameter. A larger diameter
for a given discharge leads to smaller head losses resulting the power and energy to
increase. On the other hand, a larger size of pipe means higher the capital investment.
38
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Therefore, a size that will give the least capital cost over the life time of the plant is
considered to be the optimum diameter.
Penstock pipe optimization has been carried out to optimize the diameter and thickness of
penstock pipe for given topography. For discharge 18.05 m3/s and penstock pipe length of
917.38 m (including pipes in shaft) for a gross head of 446.74 m, the optimum diameter of
penstock pipe is found to be 2.4 m. The thickness of the penstock pipe is calculated for the
internal pressure for given diameter and the thickness required (2 mm) as the allowance for
corrosion. The thickness of penstock pipe varies as it runs down the hill. The minimum and
maximum thickness of penstock pipe is 12.0 mm and 48.0 mm.
Penstock is designed as a surface penstock resting over saddles and anchor blocks. To give a
good footing condition and to avoid unnecessary vertical bends, a penstock sub-grade is
prepared by topsoil excavation along the alignment as and when needed.
The raw material for penstock pipe could be in accordance to the Indian Standards IS 2062:
1999 Grade B or equivalent national or international standards having minimum yield
strength of 250 MPa and ultimate tensile strength 410 MPa. The thickness of the pipe has
been calculated to withstand surge head, corrosion and the hydrostatic head keeping in view
of material specification and its availability. The wall thickness of pipe varies from 12.0 mm
at the top portion to 48.0 mm at the bottom portion. The thickness of pipe is designed in
such a way that it is able to withstand the surge pressures and the hydrostatic pressure.
Extra thickness 2.0 mm is considered as corrosion allowance.
Powerhouse is basically designed to en-house the turbine and generator and other
necessary electromechanical equipment. Also, it must have an area for service and
maintenance and room for mounting control panel, transformer and high voltage panel in
addition to an office room. Generally, to lift the heavy installations in the powerhouse an
overhead travelling crane or a suitable mechanism having chain pulley is equipped.
Powerhouse is made safe from a possible flood of 100-year return period that can happen in
the river at powerhouse area.
The proposed powerhouse site is situated on the left bank of Marsyangdi Khola and
penstock alignment is located on the right bank of Dudh Khola. The site consists of alluvium
deposits more than 15.0 m thick. It lies above the terrace deposit of river channel. Bank
erosion by Dudh on the terrace deposit is moderately active. Bank protection work is
required to prevent further undercutting and erosion from flood. The examination reveals
that the materials are truly alluvial deposit with the proportion of coarse particles relatively
high.
The proposed powerhouse is located at terrace on the hillside of the right bank of the Dudh
Khola. The elevation of the turbine axis is set at 1935.26 masl. The location of the
39
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
powerhouse has been determined to ensure that it is free from the risk of flooding that can
arise in the Dudh Khola in the monsoon season. Considering the head and flow available in
the site, twin jets Pelton turbine with horizontal shaft alignment has been selected.
Powerhouse complex contains inlet valve, turbines, generators and electromechanical
accessories. The electro-mechanical aspects of the powerhouse complex are described in
subsequent Section. Only the civil structures and corresponding hydraulic parameters are
described here. The reinforced concrete (RC) frame structure powerhouse consists of the
machine floor, control section and all the mechanical and electrical apparatus. The
powerhouse is 50.30 m long, 17.50 m wide and 25.0 m high with reinforced concrete
structural elements in the main building and increase in width of 4 m for the control
buildings, brick walls and CGI sheet roofing. A series of windows and ventilation openings
will be provided for the necessary natural lighting and ventilation. A security fence will be
constructed around the powerhouse area. Normal access to the powerhouse will be through
main entrance door that opens into the machine floor. Retaining structures are proposed in
order to protect the powerhouse block from flood.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
DKHP is planned to feed power to national electric grid of Nepal Electricity Authority
(NEA). Hence the scheme of evacuation of power is to be focused according to latest status
of Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS). The purposed scheme should be a reliable option
even in case of further increment of power wheeling the project vicinity area and even with
upcoming modalities and opportunities of electricity market of the nation within and out of
the border of the country.
There is a new sub-station purposed by NEA in Dharapani, Manang. The sub-station will be
interconnected to Upper Marsyangdi Sub-station via 132 kV double circuit transmission
line. Hence, the evacuation scheme for the said project is analyzed based on Dharapani
substation that is available with 132 kV bus systems. The length of transmission line
between Dudh Khola HP and Dharapani substation will be 2 Km.
Vital factors governing power evacuation schemes are amount of power to be transmitted
and distance how far is to be transmitted. There will be firstly the technical limitation and
secondly the economic consideration. While selecting the transmission voltage, the present
and future expectable voltage of other lines in vicinity of the line under design need to be
taken into account. In case of Nepal, common voltage levels used and being implemented in
coming years are 66 kV, 132 kV, 220 kV and more recently 400kV. Proposed Dharapani
substation of INPS seems to be much favorable point to feed power from proposed Dudh
Khola Hydroelectric Power Project, which is assumed to be in operation before
commissioning of the hydroelectric project. Hence possible of power transmission up to
Dharapani 132 kV System substation from 65.0 MW capacity Dudh Khola HP can be the
followings:
66 kV single circuit transmission line
66 kV double circuit transmission line
132kV single circuit transmission line
132kV double circuit transmission line
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The constructions planning for the proposed project is presented below, however the
schedule is presented in Annex 2.
The whole construction work is divided into four main packages such as supporting
facilities, civil works, metal works and electro-mechanical works.
Land clearance - This includes the clearance of the project components structures with
vegetation clearance and labeling of the land area. Furthermore, the activities include
excavation, blasting, concreting and earth filling activities.
This package includes the access road, camp facilities, construction of toilet in camp sites,
water supply and transmission line for construction power from Dudh Khola hydropower
Project or the collection of diesel generator etc.
This package includes the civil construction of headworks, connecting canal, gravel trap,
desanding basin, Tunnel works, powerhouse, tailrace conduit and all necessary protection
works.
This package includes the supply, delivery and erection of metal works such as penstock
pipes, expansion joints, gates, channels and beams for steel truss bridges and fittings, etc.
The company shall import required quantities of steel plates, channels, and beams and
supply to the manufacturer.
This package includes the supply, delivery and erection of electro-mechanical equipment,
generating equipment, gates and valves etc. It also includes the construction of switchyard,
transmission line etc. from powerhouse to nearest switching station at Dharapani Hub of
NEA i.e. 2 km from the powerhouse.
Stockpiling and Muck disposal works –
Amount of muck and other accumulated disposal materials will be disposed in specified
area. The specified area has been identified and the plans have been made to dispose the
42
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
excessive volume of muck during the construction. This activity includes the disposal and
rehabilitation of the disposed area.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
About, 500 m of internal road might need to be constructed so as to strengthen the already
existing road. The land required for internal access road is presented in Error! Reference
source not found..
Table 8 Land Required for the project for internal access
Land
Description/ Requiremen Road Proposed Internal Road
Location
Location t Length Alignment
Area Ha
Access Road
The construction facilities and component of the project are confined within Nashong-5, 6,
7 of Manang district. A total of 14.8 ha land need to be acquired for the project both
permanently and temporarily for the core project structure excluding access road. Among
that, 3.25 ha belongs to private land and 11.55 ha lies within Annapurna Conservation Area.
Thus, the total government required by the project is 11.55 ha. The land required for bunker
house for storing explosives are supposed to be in campsite-II. The detailed land use will be
provided in the EIA report.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
1 Headwork
2 Water
Conveyance
2.1 Headrace - - - - -
Nashong-7,5 - 1.49 1.49
Tunnel + Adits
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
46
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
47
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
8 Construction Nashong-7 - - - - -
0.4 0.4 0.8
Yard
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Construction Materials
A reconnaissance survey for construction material was conducted in the vicinity of the
headworks, powerhouse as well as along the Dudh Khola. The investigation was focused on
locating prospective burrow areas of non-cohesive material to be used in concrete
production. For this, sand and coarse aggregates were explored at both sides. Samples were
collected from pits and trenches dug at the headworks site and powerhouse site. The tests
on concrete aggregates include the Los Angeles Abrasion Test, Sulphate Soundness Test,
Absorption Test, Bulk Specific Gravity Test, density, and gradation test. The tests on the
cohesive material include tests on gradation, nature moisture content, specific gravity,
Atterberg Limits and standard compaction tests.
A grain size analysis of the samples reveals that the material can be used as coarse
component for concrete production after some screening. Required quantities of
construction material like boulder, cobble, and gravel sand are generally available in and
around the project area. Point bar, braided bar and lower terrace deposits of Dudh Khola
are the main source for the construction materials. The coordinate from where construction
materials will be obtained is 28 32’ 46’’N, 84 22’ 58’’E.
These deposits predominantly consist of gneiss boulders, cobble, gravel with few of them
being of marble and schist. The sand deposits are found as patches along with the thick
alluvium deposits. The quantity of the construction materials in the Dudh Khola is sufficient
for the project requirement. In general, the alluvium deposits are composed of 50% boulder,
20% cobble, pebble and 30 % sand. Sand is fine to medium with high mica content.
Among this huge amount of construction materials fuse wire, explosive and detonator will
be sources from the Nepal Army. Other coarse aggregates are available locally. Cement,
pipes and steel will be taken from the Nepalese and Indian Market. Beside it transformers,
generators and acids as well as lubricants will be imported from the various parts of India.
It has been assumed that most of the construction materials required for civil works will be
supplied locally within the country, while those not available only will be imported from
India due to its proximity to the project area. Accordingly, the rates of construction material
are adopted from prevailing market rates at roadhead, Besisahar. Where applicable, the cost
of transporting the material to the site has been incorporated in the unit rates.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Materials
Fuse wire
ment (MT)
S.N
Detonator
sand (m3)
Reinforce
(number)
aggregate
Explosive
Description of Items
.
(meter)
Cement
Works
Metal
(MT)
(m3)
(kg)
MT
A Headwork 1600 2500 3000 200 1200
C Powerhouse & tailrace 160 1900 3200 74641 9330 84641 400 600
F Access road
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
1 800 2
2 450 2
Total 2500 4
Engineer 16
Sub-Engineer 15
Skilled 60
Semi-skilled 60
Un-skilled 220
Table 13 below shows the estimated cut and fill volume for the project. It is estimated that
there is about 400,000 m3 bulk volume of muck with a bulk factor of 1.05; spoil mixed with
stone will be generated from the entire project including the access road.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Volume
Three camp sites will be required for the project, and camp site (I) will be located at 1500 m
upstream of headwork, camp site (II) near 500 m South from the power house. The
remaining one will be located at near the Hima Jyoti basic school. All the location is at the
left bank of Dudh Khola. A camp site office will be constructed at the power house site area.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Main stock piling area will be at the 700 m north of power house site. Besides, there will be
one stock piling area at the headwork site. Parking area will be set up together with
construction yard. Construction yard will be located at headwork site and power house site.
These sites are about 700 m distance from headworks and powerhouse respectively. Both
locations will be at the left bank of Dudh Khola. This yard will be used for fabrication of
pipes and gates, precast yard for concrete works. 0.8 ha of land will be acquired temporarily
for construction yards.
Both manual and mechanical stone crushing will be used in the project. One crusher will be
installed having capacity 20 tons per hour. The impact of installing the crusher will be
studied in detail during EIA. Similarly, batching activities will be carried out at construction
yard and a separate area will be allocated.
Three excavators, two loaders, eight dump trucks, six tractors, seven jeeps are needed for
the project construction. Major vehicles will be parked in construction yard. Project needs
approximately 26 vehicles, so parking area will be allocated at each site. The base of
construction yard will be PCC with proper drainage management provided with grit
chamber. Dust production in this yard will be minimized by sprinkling water three times a
day. One separate structure will be constructed at construction yard for the safe storage of
toxic chemicals and explosives which will be needed for the project. Stockpiling of
construction materials have been proposed at headwork site and power house site and at
construction yard.
Water Diversion Work
River diversion is the major portion of the hydropower construction, unless efficient water
diversion plan is prepared it is difficult to construct the headworks. The proposed headwork
consists of under sluice and weir. River diversion work will be started during month of mid
Kartik. It is estimated that total construction period of headworks is 12 month excluding
intake and gravel trap. River diversion will be done in two phases. In the first phase, under
sluice portion will be constructed by channelizing water in the weir section and in the
second phase, water will be diverted in the constructed under sluice portion to enable the
work in the weir portion.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The construction and operation of the DKHP will have both beneficial as well adverse
impacts on environment. The areas which are likely affected by the DKHP are classified as:
Project Affected District:
Administrative Boundary of Manang District
Project Affected Rural Municipality:
Administrative Boundary of Nashong Rural municipality. It is further divided into Direct
Impact Area and Indirect Impact Area.
This project area delineation is explicitly valid for the hydropower generation i.e. for the
core hydropower components. This study doesn’t valid for the transmission line for the
power evacuation of the project.
Table 14 Project component areas and Impact Area Classifications
54
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
of construction operation such as camps for contractors, labors, and support facilities for
storage of construction materials, batching plants, aggregate crushing and washing plants,
mechanical yards for repair and maintenance, etc. are located throughout the project
construction period. During the operation period, changes in river hydrology are the key
impacts influencing a considerable stretch of river. The direct impacts will modify the
natural and social environment of the areas significantly depending upon the nature of
activities during construction and operation.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
56
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
3.1 General
Environmental management is relatively a new subject in Nepal. This chapter focuses on
brief description of the policy, legal and administrative framework within which DKHP
will be implemented. The proponent will comply the legal requirement of Government of
Nepal (GoN) and will be responsible for fulfilling provisions of all relevant acts while
implementing the project.
The current policies of GoN stress the importance of environmentally sound economic
development and growth of the private sector through economic liberalization. The
construction and operation of the proposed project will be in accordance of Environment
Protection Act, 2x 053 (1997), Forest Act, 2049 (1993), Conservation Area Management
Rules, 2053 (1997), National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 (1973)
Hydropower Development Policy, 2058 (2001), Monitoring and Regulation of
International Trade of Threatened Fauna and Flora Act, 2073 (2017), Guidelines for
Handing Over the Forest Area for National Priority Projects 2074 (2017), Guideline for the
Physical Infrastructure Development and Operation in the Protected Areas, 2065 (2008),
Jagga Hadbandi Chhut Dine Sambandhi Adesh, 2074. Some of these policies, acts, rules,
guidelines and conventions relevant to the proposed project are described below. The
proponent will obey and follow if any other laws besides those already mentioned in the
document are attracted due to various activities that will be undertaken as a part of the
project. The proponent will take permission from the concerned agency/ies if required
prior to construction of access road.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
3.2 Constitution
Constitution of Nepal
Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal has provisioned right to environment to each
Nepalese citizen. Article 30(1) of the Constitution mentioned about right to each citizen of
Nepal to live in clean and healthy environment. In article 30 (2) it is mentioned that the
polluter will pay for the loss and damage due to environmental pollution caused by them.
In article 30 (3) it is mentioned that for the nation’s development necessary laws, rules,
can be develop to maintain environment and development. Constitution of Nepal has
clearly mentioned and emphasized about environmental awareness to general public,
minimization/avoidance of the impact of physical development works on environment and
rare species with due emphasis of conservation. The constitution also deals with the
biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and equal distribution of
benefits. Article 34 mentioned that appropriate wages will be provided to the labor. In
Article 51 (G) Conservation of Natural Resources, management and Utilization has stated
as national policy for the development of nation.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
59
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Strategy (2002) and Nepal Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plan (2006) provided
the necessary context for formulating the strategy.
The specific strategies and associated actions are grouped into the six biodiversity themes
and 15 and cross-cutting subjects. The strategies for managing protected area and forest
biodiversity aim at reducing or managing human pressures on natural resources, reducing
human-wildlife conflict, controlling invasive alien species, mitigating climatic threats to
ecosystems, species and their habitats, and addressing economic and social concerns of
local and indigenous communities through targeted programmes, enabling policy and
legislative environment. Reducing the rate of loss and degradation of forest habitats,
improving biological connectivity, enhancing knowledge and understanding about forests,
promoting conservation of species and genetic diversities, enhancement of forest-based
livelihoods are some of the focused areas.
National Water Plan, 2058 (2002- 2007 AD)
The National Water Plan 2002-2007 (NWP) was prepared to implement the Water Sector
Strategy of Nepal. The Plan targets an increase in Nepal’s hydropower generation from
600 MW in 2007 to 4,000 MW by 2027. The NWP emphasizes the need for Strategic
Environmental Assessment. Section 7 of the NWP highlights the Environment
Management Plan (EMP) as a strategic document for the implementation, monitoring and
auditing of environmental protection programs.
National Conservation Strategy, 2071 (2014)
This strategy, was endorsed by GoN in 2014 contains various policies of international and
national concern. It says “Nation exercises sovereign rights with respect to natural
resources contained within the boundaries. It is this principle that gives substance to the
concept of national conservation strategies. It also places the prime responsibility for
conservation or the wise use of natural resources, upon individual’s nations.
In addition, the strategy has made various provisions for resource conservation and its
utilization in tune with environment friendly manner. It has provision dealing with
biological diversity, soil conservation, watershed management, Conservation area,
protected areas & wildlife conservation as well as on natural heritage.
Nepal Environmental Policy and Action Plan, 2050 (1993)
Nepal Environmental Policy and Acton Plan were endorsed to further institutionalize
environmental protection in the development processes. NEPAP recognizes that a growing
number of people are exposed to pollution from industrial enterprises. NEPAP identifies
the following factors as contributing to this process;
Industrial plan inappropriately cited close to population centres;
Insufficient emphasis on fuel efficiency;
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Little, if any pollution abatement equipment used for reducing emission; and
A total lack of industry pollution standards;
Hence, the NEPAP emphasized the need for mitigating adverse environmental impacts to
address urban and industrial development, air and water pollution and infrastructures
development.
Forest Sector Strategy (2016 A.D – 2025 A.D)
The Forestry Sector Strategy (FSS) is formulated to guide the future development of
Nepal's forestry sector for the coming ten years. It is based on the framework of the Forest
Policy 2015, past learning from the implementation of the Master Plan for the Forestry
Sector, which came to an end in 2011, visualizing the future political and socio-economic
scenario of Nepal, and the generation of theory of change. The theory describes the steps
and their linkages that will lead to the planned outcomes. The FSS identifies seven key
thematic areas which form the core area of the strategy i.e Managing Nepal 's Forests,
managing ecosystems and conserving biodiversity, Forestry Sector Strategy, Responding
to climate change, Managing watershed, Promoting enterprise and economic
development, Enhancing capacities, institutions and partnerships and Managing and
using forestry sector information.
Climate Change Policy, 2067 (2011)
This policy envisions a country spared from the adverse impacts of climate change, by
considering climate justice, through the pursuit of environmental conservation, human
development, and sustainable development-all contributing toward a prosperous society.
Policy aims to address the adverse impacts of climate change and utilize the opportunities
created from it to improve livelihoods and achieve climate-friendly physical, social and
economic development.
The main goal of this policy is to improve livelihoods by mitigating and adapting to the
adverse impacts of climate change, adopting a low-carbon emissions socio-economic
development path and supporting and collaborating in the spirits of country's
commitments to national and international agreements related to climate change.
Promotion of climate adaptation and adoption of effective measures to address adverse
impacts of climate change through technology development and transfer, public awareness
raising, capacity building and access to financial resources. The main policy strategies are
as follows:
Climate adaptation and disaster and risk reduction
Low carbon development and climate resilience
Access to financial resources and utilization
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law The Government of Nepal, the State and Local Level may collect chargeable penalty
and fine falling under their domain in accordance with the prevailing law. The State and
Local Level shall, while imposing tax pursuant to Sub-Section (2) or (3), do so without
contravention to national economic policies, transportation of goods and services, capital
and labor market, and the neighboring State and Local Level. The Government of Nepal
may levy on and collect royalty of natural resources in accordance with Federal law.
Distribution of Royalty to be obtained from Natural Resources
1) In order to distribute the royalty obtained from the natural resources among the
Government of Nepal, State and Local Level, the Government of Nepal shall create the
federal divisible fund to deposit such amount obtained from the royalty in accordance with
Federal law. (2) The Government of Nepal shall distribute the royalty pursuant to Sub-
Section (1) as specified in Schedule-4 (3) Out of the amount distributed to pursuant to
Sub-Section (2), the amount obtained by the Government of Nepal shall be deposited in
the Federal Consolidated Fund, the amount obtained by the State in State Consolidated
Fund and the amount obtained by Local Level in the Local Consolidated Fund. According
to which electicity , forest , mines and minerals, water and other natural resourcres royalty
will be distributed 50 % to government of Nepal , 25 % royalty distributed to concerned
state and remaing 25 % will be distrusted to concerned local level.
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Under section (18) of EPA, any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the Act, or
the Regulations or the guidelines issued under the Act, shall be punishable with a fine up
to NRs 50,000. If a proposal is implemented without the approval of the Ministry of
Environment (in case of IEE, Ministry of Energy) or relevant government agency, or the
person implementing the proposal is not complying with the conditions of the approval or
license, the authorized official is empowered to close down that activity and may impose
fine of up to NRs. 100,000 on such person or organization. This Act is relevant to the
proposed project.
Under this Rules, the IEE study of the proposed project has to be carried out by the
proponent and get approval from the Ministry of Energy prior to the project
implementation.
Forest Regulation, 2051 (1995)
Rule 65 of the Forest Regulation stipulates that in case the execution of any project having
national priority in any forest area causes any loss or harm to any local, individual, or
community, the proponents of the project itself shall bear the amount of compensation to
be paid. Similarly, the entire expenses required for the harvesting, logging and
transporting of the forest products in a forest area will be borne by the proponents of the
projects.
Conservation Area Management Rules, 2053 (1997)
The Conservation Area Management Rule (1996) promulgated by the GoN pursuant to
section 33 of the NPWCA provides institutional framework, systems, mechanisms and
processes (management modality) for the management of the Conservation Area. The
CAMR was gazetted in 1996 (2053/8/17). The regulation authorizes National park to
establish headquarters for the management and the development of the conservation area
(Rule 4), divide the area into different sub-areas (Ilakas) as per the need, and establish
Unit Conservation Officers and other staff as necessary.
Electricity Regulation, 2050 (1993)
Section (Chha) of Article 12 and section (Chha) of Article 13 of Electricity Regulation 1992
are important from environmental viewpoint. The Initial Environmental Examination
report will address the environmental issues, measures required to mitigate the significant
adverse impacts. This regulation has also made provision for the formation of
Compensation Fixation Committee for compensation of the land required for the project.
Water Resources Regulation, 2050 (1993)
It is mandatory under Rule 17 (e) of the regulation that any person or corporate body, who
desires to obtain a license for utilization of water resources must state in his application
that appropriate measures will be taken to lessen the adverse effects due to the project on
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the overall environment. Measures are to be taken for the conservation of aquatic life and
water environment and for mitigating social and economic effects of the project in the
concerned area.
Solid Waste Management Regulation, 2070 BS (2013 AD)
The regulations provide the way for the management of all kinds of solid waste since their
origin. Open burning of solid and hazardous wastes is strictly banned by the regulation. In
addition, the regulation provides the ways for the management of solid waste. Unless good
construction management practices are followed, construction activities can cause serious
environmental pollution, ecological degradation and health and safety concerns to both
workers and the public. The stakeholders that get impacted due to construction activities
generally include the workers, the public and the environment. The guideline provides a
minimum standard for safe and efficient waste management. The purpose of the guideline
is to provide a framework of waste management strategies to assist in the long-term
management of health care waste by implementing the essential strategies. The guideline
aims to protect public health and safety, provide a safer working environment, and
minimize waste generation and environmental impacts of waste treatment.
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.
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have to apply for their authoritative agencies with all the informations related to required
land and proper documentations. Then the authoritative agencies after proper inspection
and monitoring will recommend for land acquisition. The authoritative agencies in case
for hydropower project is Department of Electricity Development and Ministry of Energy.
७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७
७७७७७७७७७७, ७७७७
This guideline will set various provisions on survey license of electricity generation,
transmission and distribution as well as issuing license of generation, transmission or
distribution or license amendment and its cancellation.
७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७७
,७७७७
७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७ ७७७७ ७ ७७७७७७७७
७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७ ७७७७ ७७७ ७७७७७७७७७७
७७७७ ७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७७ ,७७७७ ७७
७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७ ७ ७
७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७७७
७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७ ७७७ ७७७७७७
७७७७७७७७ ७७७७७७७७७, ७७७७.
If any activity that has been conducted or to be conducted outside of the National Park or
Conservation Area has to release such quantum of water which is higher of either at least
ten per cent of the minimum monthly average discharge of the river/stream or the
minimum required quantum as identified in the environmental impact assessment study
report.Similarly,any activity that has been conducted or to be conducted within to the
National Park or Conservation Area has to release such quantum of water which is higher
of either at least fifty per cent of the minimum monthly average discharge of the
river/stream or the minimum required quantum as identified in the environmental impact
assessment study report. Legal provisions shall be made to prevent adverse effects on the
availability of water or water right of the projects for which license is not required or being
operated after obtaining the license. The view of environment conservation will be
required to plant and rectify 25 trees in the form of a single tree cut or removed. The
public, public or service within the conservation area will be used without pre-approval of
the organization for the purposes of public tree plantation (except for the purpose of
planting local species).
Conservation Area Management Guideline, 2056
Prior approval of Conservation area committee is necessary for other purposes except
public afforestation in Government land, Public land, barren land, Alaini within
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The aspects of the project which is likely to have significant adverse effects on biological
diversity at genetic species and ecosystem level, and the steps to be taken to avoid or
minimize significant adverse effects to ensure that the proposed project comply with
existing environmental legislation.
The GoN has included 17 species of plants and 39 species of animals in the protection list.
If the project area is the core habitat of these species and the project activity will likely to
affect them, mitigation measures shall be proposed and be implemented to avoid and/ or
mitigate the adverse impacts. Nepal is a party to the convention on Biological Diversity
and in accordance to the article 14, adequate attention should be given to minimize and or
avoid the impacts.
ILO Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, 2047 (1989)
(No.169)
Nepal ratified ILO Convention No. 169 on September 14, 2007. In 2007 the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the General Assembly.
The declaration reaffirms the importance of the principles and approaches provided for
under Convention No. 169 and its adoption therefore provide a fresh impetus for
promoting the ratification and implementation of Convention No. 169. ILO Convention
No. 169 highlights the need to recognize indigenous and tribal people’s specific knowledge,
skills and technologies as the basis for their traditional economies and self- determined
development process. Article -1 of the convention provide definition of the tribal and
indigenous people. Article -6 deals the consultation of the peoples concerned through
appropriate procedure and in particular through their representative institutions,
whenever consideration is being given to legislative or administrative measures which may
affect them directly.
In Article 15 the rights of the peoples concerned to the natural resources pertaining to
their lands shall be specifically safeguarded. These rights include the right of these people
to participate in the use, management and conservation of these resources. The use of the
term land includes the concept of territories, which covers the total environment of the
areas which the peoples concerned occupies or otherwise use. The peoples concerned shall
wherever possible participate in the benefits of such activities and shall receive fair
compensation for any damages which they may sustain as a result of such activities. Article
16 (2) clearly mention that where the relocation of these peoples is considered necessary as
an exceptional measure such relocation shall take place only with their free and inform
consent. Where their consent cannot be obtained, such relocation shall take place only
following appropriate procedures established by national laws and regulations, including
public inquiries where appropriate, which provide the opportunity for effective
representation of the peoples concerned. Article 16 (3) mention that whenever possible
these peoples shall have the right to return their traditional land as soon as the grounds for
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relocation cease to exist. Article 16(5) elaborated the persons thus relocated shall be fully
compensated for any resulting loss or injury.
Convention on Indigenous and Tribal People in Independent Countries
Article 7 of the convention provides right to the indigenous and tribal people to decide
their own priorities for the process of development. However, for the national
development plans and programs, it mandates consultation with them in the formulation
of the plans and programs. Article 12, 13, 14 and15 safeguard rights of the indigenous
people in the land and natural resources in territories traditionally occupied by them. In
the event that the state retains the right of the natural resources in their territories.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1992
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an
international environmental treaty adopted on 9 May 1992 and opened for signature at the
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992. It then entered into force on 21
March 1994, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified it. The UNFCCC objective
is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system". The framework
sets non binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for individual countries and contains
no enforcement mechanisms. Instead, the framework outlines how specific international
treaties (called "protocols" or "Agreements") may be negotiated to specify further action
towards the objective of the UNFCCC.
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x Radioactive materials:
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ii Odour Unobjectionable
v Total Dissolved Solids, mg/l , Max 500 1500may be relaxed upto 3000
vii Total Hardness (as CaCO3) mg/l, Max 250 may be extended upto 600
viii Calcium (as Ca), mg/l, Max 75 may be extended upto 200
x Copper (as Cu), mg/l, Max 1 .05 may be extended upto 1.5
xi Iron (as Fe), mg/l, Max 0.3 may be extended upto 1.0
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xii Manganese (as Mn), mg/l, Max 0.1 may be extended upto 0.5
xiii Chlorides (as Cl), mg/l, Max 250 may be extended upto 1000
xvi Fluoride (as F), mg/l, Max 1.50.6 to 1.2 May be extended upto 1.5 if no
alternate source available
xvii Phenolic compounds, (as C6H5OH), 0.001 May be relaxed upto 0.002
mg/l, Max
xxi Lead (as Pb), mg/l, Max 0.01 (WHO 0.01) No relaxation
xxii Arsenic (as As), mg/l, Max 0.05 (WHO 0.01) No relaxation
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24-hours* 230
24-hours* 120
24-hours** 70
24-hours** 80
15 minute 100,000
24-hours -
24-hours -
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**Note: 24 hourly standards for NO 2 and SO2 and 8 hours standard for CO are
not to be controlled before MoPE has recommended appropriate test methodologies.
This will be done before 2005.
***Note: If representativeness can be proven, yearly averages can be calculated
from PM10 samples from selected weekdays from each month of the year.
****Note: To be re-evaluated by 2005.
Table 17 Emissions Standards for ‘in-use’ Vehicles
Two-Wheelers 4.5% CO
7,800 ppm HC*
i 85 16 hrs.
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iii 90 8 hrs.
iv 93 5 hrs – 18 min.
v 96 3 hrs.-30 min.
vi 99 2 hrs. – 18 min.
ix 108 40 min.
x 111 26 min.
xi 114 17 min.
xv 124 4 min.
S.N Land Use Measur To Protect Against Activity Interference and Hearing
. e Loss Effects (dBA)
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4 DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING
ENVIRONMENT
This section elucidates the existing baseline environmental situation of the project site
areas. The information provided is based on the environmental studies for the project
construction sites during the EIA study phase. The regional information on the
catchments is based on the review of the secondary literatures supported by limited field
studies and interpretation of the available topographic and land sat imageries.
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 and
regional) in order to evaluate the environmental impacts on identified environmental
issues from approved TOR of the project development and operation.
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Project
Area
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Project Geology
The project area is dominated by medium to high grade metamorphic rocks of Pre-
Cambrian age, namely calc-gneiss, marble, schist, biotite and amphibole gneiss, migmatite
and augen gneiss. Gneisses containing amphibole, pyroxene and calcite are typical Higher
Himalayan rock as described in Formation II of Le Fort (1975)1. In addition to rocky
terrain, the project area comprises different geological materials like talus deposit, glacial
deposit, lacustrine deposit, colluvial and alluvial deposit, and deposit of mixed origin as
glacio-fluvial deposit. Following rock types are present in the project vicinity:
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Banded gneiss: Greyish white, medium to coarse grained banded gneiss is well exposed in
the headworks area with dominance of feldspar.
Biotite schist: Grey colored biotite schist is found in the area above Tachai village on the
way to the headworks.
Calc silicate gneiss: Strong, light calcareous gneiss is found throughout the project area.
Migmatite and granitic gneiss: Migmatites and granitic gneiss are interfoliated with the
banded gneiss and siliceous gneiss. These types of rock are encountered at the foot trail
towards the headworks from Tachai village.
Headworks area comprises of gneissic rock mass. Rock is exposed along the left bank of
weir axis. The rock is fresh to slightly weathered, light grey, medium to course grained,
moderately to thickly foliated and strong to medium strong gneiss. 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. Surge shaft
area consists of colluvial deposits of varying thickness. The upper stretch of the penstock
alignment runs though the steep terrain consisting of the rock mass and the lower reach of
both options runs through the gentle slope mainly from the cultivated land. Powerhouse is
proposed on a cultivated land that consists of sub-rounded to sub angular gravels to
boulders.
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features are not observed along the slope within the project reaches. Some slide along the
loose terrace and slope upstream towards Chame are reported.
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Project Area
Figure 18 Project Location on Seismic Hazard Map of Nepal (Bedrock peak ground horizontal
acceleration contours in gals); (DMG, 2002)
Topography and Land Use
Physiographically, the area lies in the Fore and the Higher Himalaya of Nepal. All the
places are above 1770 masl. The highest peak of the area, Markhu Danda, is at 4500 masl.
The lowest place lies in the power house area. Steep cliffs and ridges are common in the
area. The physiographic distribution of the project area is presented in the Table 19
Table 19 Physiographic division and distribution of land in the project district Manang
Agriculture Pastu
Distric Physical Fores Other
re Total
t condition t s
Cultivat Non-
units
ed cultivated
High Himalaya 650 220 41995 20158 319 27831
Mana
High 67 40 6941 120515 1 1017 189874
ng
Mountain
Mid-Mountain - 94 1749 _ 1749
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Soil
Alluvial, glacial and colluvial soils are present in the project area. Alluvial deposits within
the project area consist of recent riverbed deposits and paleo-channel deposits along the
river bank of the Dudh Khola. The glacial soil (glacial plus fluvial influence) of project area
is divided into moraine deposits, glacio fluvial deposits (fluvial dominant) and lacustrine
deposits. The colluvial deposits of the project area consist of talus deposit, barren land,
cultivated land and sparse forest.
As typical watershed of Nepal, the Dudh Basin covers a wide range of climates. Substantial
differences occur over very short distances and are strongly influenced by altitude. The
distinct meteorological regions exit in the basin. The monsoon commences from June till
September. Rainfall intensity varies in the catchment with elevation. In general, the
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amount of precipitation is the highest in the south at the lower elevation and gradually
decreases to the north with the increase in elevation. The nearest precipitation stations are
located at Chame, Manang Bhot, Phu Gaun, Jomsom, Rani Pauwa, Ghami and
Gharedhunga. The mean annual precipitation over the project is estimated to be 1000
mm.
According to climatological records from station number 816 at Chame in Manang, 1997-
2000, the extreme daily temperature in the area varies from -7.5°C in January to 25°C in
July. The daily relative humidity varies from 41 % in March to 100% in January.
In the project affected rural municipality, various glacier lakes are present as depicted
from Figure 21. The Dudh Khola is a Glacier fed river. Stuti Glacier, Changli Glacier,
Ponkar Glacial Lake and Namlyo Glacier Lake lies within the catchment of the Dudh
Khola.
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Flow (m3/s)
S.No. Month Days
Monthly Available Design
Flow (m3/s)
Adopted FDC
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Physical Tests
pH 7.6 6.5-8.5
Chemical Tests
Nitrate mg/l ND 50
Microbiological Tests
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Forest 1172
Shrubland 173.38
Grassland 1706.8
Snow/glacier 2198.5
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Forest 127.5
Shrubland 66.03
Grassland 587.26
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Snow/glacier 1048.7
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Forest 4.3
Shrubland 3.68
Grassland 5.47
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The Annapurna Conservation Forest Area, located in north-west Nepal, is the largest
protected area in the country. The Annapurna Conservation Forest Area Project (ACA) is
the largest undertaking of NTNC and also the first Conservation Area and largest
protected area in Nepal launched in 1986. It covers an area of 7,629 sq. km. and is home to
over 100,000 residents of different cultural and linguistic groups. ACA is rich in
biodiversity and is a treasure house for 1,226 species of flowering plants, 102 mammals,
474 birds, 39 reptiles and 22 amphibians.
There are several features that make the Annapurna region a unique place in the world. It
contains world’s deepest river gorge - Kali Gandaki Gorge, which is 3 miles long and 1.5
miles wide, a valley with fossils from the Tethys Sea dating 60 million years ago. The
region contains world’s largest rhododendron forest in Ghorepani. Tilicho Lake, located in
Manang - north of Annapurna massif, is the world’s highest altitude fresh water lake.
The biological diversity of the Annapurna region is equally rivaled by cultural diversity.
Gurung and Magar are the dominant groups in the south, whereas Thakali, Manange and
Loba are dominant in the north. Each of these groups speaks their own dialect, and has
unique cultures and traditions. Besides, there are also Brahmin, Chhetri and other
occupational castes although in comparatively smaller numbers. Hindu, Buddhist and pre-
Buddhist religions along with a mixture of all these are prevalent across the region.
The natural and cultural features of ACA have made it the most popular trekking
destination in the country, drawing more than 60 % of the country’s total trekkers. In this
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context, tourism, over the years, has been firmly established as one of the most important
and competitive sectors of the local economy. There are over 1,000 lodges, teashops and
hundreds of other subsidiary services to cater to the thousands of trekkers, pilgrims and
their support staff.
The multifaceted problems of ACA have been addressed through an integrated,
community based conservation and development approach, an experimental model which
has been in the vanguard of promoting the concepts of “Conservation Area” through an
“Integrated Conservation and Development Programme” approach in the country and
abroad.
ACA was first tested as a pilot Program in the Ghandruk VDC in 1986. After being notified
in the Gazette as a “Conservation Area” in 1992, ACA’s program covered the entire area.
Additionally, ACA is the first protected area that has allowed local resident to live within
the boundaries as well as own their private property and maintain their traditional rights
and access to the use of natural resources.
It is also the first protected area, which has refrained from using army assistance to
protect the dwindling natural resource base on which the region depends. Instead, it
invests whatever financial resources available for community development and social
capital building in the region. NTNC receives no regular funding support from the
government for the operation of ACA, but has been granted the right to collect entry fees
from visiting trekkers. One hundred percent of the revenue is ploughed back to implement
conservation and development activities in ACA. Additional funds are raised from national
and international donors. This is an exemplary achievement of a Non-Government
Institution ability to manage a significant portion of the protected area system in Nepal.
In order to manage ACA more effectively, it has been divided into 7 unit conservation
offices - Jomsom, Manang and Lo-Manthang in the trans-Himalayan region and Bhujung,
Sikles, Ghandruk, and Lwang on the southern flank of the Annapurna range. The focus of
Jomsom, Manang and Ghandruk, which are among the most popular trekking
destinations, is on integrated tourism management and other development activities that
benefit the local communities and the environment. The project area at Machhapuchre
Rural Municipality is monitored by Area Conservation Office located at Sidhin ward no. 9
and Dudh Ghatta ward no. 8 of same Rural municipality.
The Conservation Education and Extension Program is being implemented in the entire
region of ACA and forms the backbone of all its endeavors. The first management mandate
given by the Government to NTNC to manage ACA ended in 2002. The Government has
given another management mandate of additional 10 years to the Trust. NTNC believes
that areas such as the ACA will ultimately have to be managed by the local people
themselves in perpetuity. Therefore, the focus is on building local capacity, both at the
institutional and individual levels, to meet all the conservation and development
aspirations of the people.
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Of the total, 4 RMs of Manang district are covered by ACA including project area. Each
RM within ACA has a CAMC, which is responsible for planning, implementing and
coordinating conservation related programs and activities, mobilizing people's
participation and making good use of the revenue and resources generated due to the
conservation related programs and activities in its jurisdiction.
The dominant vegetation species of the Sub-tropical forest along the river valley reported
by the people of the project development site includes Utis (Alnus nepalensis), Khotay
Sallo(Pinus roxburghii), Lampate (Duabanga grandiflora),Mauwa (Engelhardtia
spicata), Khirro (Sapium in- signe), Gayo (Bridelia retusa), Malato (Macaranga
pustalata), Gineri (Premana barbata), Ankhataruwa (Trichilia connoroides), Daar
(Boehneria rugulosa), Khanayu (Ficus semicordata), Kutmero (Listea monopetala),
Simal (Bombax ceiba), Kavro (Ficus lacor), Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Tiju (Dios pyrus
sp), Tooni (Toona Ciliata), Chiuri (Bassia butyraceae), Sisoo (Dalbergia sisoo), Dabdabe
(Garuga pinnata), Sidre, Dhayero (Lagerstroemia parviflora), Katus (Castanopsis
indica), Okhar (Juglans regia) Neem (Azadirachta indica), Dhasingare (Gaultheria
fragrantissima), Sal (Shorea robusta), Ghode sajan, Gurje gano (Cissampelos sp), Harro
(Terminalia chebula), Barro (Terminalia bellirica), Bhojpatra (Betula utilis), Badahar
(Artocarpus lakoocha), Tote (Ficus hispida), Ghadel, Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Ipil-Ipil
(Leucaena leucocephela), Kopcha, Phaledo (Erythrina suberosa), Kathepipal (Ficus
rumphii), Koiralo (Bahunia verigata), Markulo, Mallato (Macaranga denticulate),
Ghurro, Suchaino, Telchapro, Bilaune (Maesa chisia), Kalo Malato, Masala (Eucalyptus
species), Phusre (Grewia subnaqualis), Chuchange, Tusare, Bamboo (Dendrocalmus
strictus), Screw pine- an endemic species (Pandanus nepalensis ) etc.
Some common shrubs and herbs associated with the tree vegetation reported by the
project area are Sindhure (Buddleja paniculata), Chutro (Berberis aristata) Bayer
(Zizyphus mauritiana), Dhaturo (Datura stramonium), Asuro (Adhatoda vesica), Sisnoo
(Urtica dioca), Gayo (Bridilia retusa), Sajiwan (Moringa oleifera), Ainselu (Rubus
ellipticus) Amriso (Thysanolaena maxima), Dhangero (Woodfordia fruiticosa), Banmara
(Lantana camera) , Titepati (Artemisia indica), Ulte Kadoo, Kanke phul, Pani amala
(Nephrolepis cordifolia), Kukur daino (Smilax sp), etc.
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The project lies in the Upper Sub-Tropical and Lower Temperate climatic zone. Hence, the
transitional species of upper sub-tropical and lower temperate zones are found in the
project area. The vegetation of the area was observed to be not uniformed in terms of both
species composition and density because of altitudinal variation, steepness of slopes,
aspect of mid hill and human influence.
Most common tree species found in the project area are mixed type of vegetation
comprised of Gobre Salla (Pinus wallichiana), Khote Salla (Pinus roxburghii), Bhote Pipal
(Populus ciliata), Bhalayo (Rhus succedanea), Rhododendron (Rhododendron sps.),
Okhar (Juglans regia), Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), etc. The vegetation at Headworks area
and upper hill is dominated by Blue pine forest, whereas downhill sides in powerhouse
area and penstock alignment are comprised of mixed type of vegetation dominated by
Khote Salla (Pinus roxburghii). Powerhouse site is located in a flat agricultural land. Other
commonly spotted shrub species are Chutro (Berberis asiatica), Aineselu (Rubus
acuminatus), Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), etc. In case of herbs, the common species
found in the project area are Sisnu (Girardinia palmata), Bojho (Acorus calamus), Bhuin
kafal (Fragaria nubicola), Padamchal (Rheum australe), Dubo (Cynodon dactylon) etc.
Vegetation at the proposed headworks area, powerhouse area and penstock alignment are
shown respectively.
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The forest in the project area is rich in species with high NTFPs value. According to the
local people and based on the site observation, 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, fire,
fiber, food, local construction, shade, agriculture implants, traditional medicine, and
income generation as well as socio-cultural and environmental values. The study showed
that the rural people depends on forest and forest based NTFPs directly and indirectly on
daily basis. People are using forest based resources like fuelwood, fodder, vegetables,
medicines, timber, wild fruits etc. to fulfill their daily needs. Collection of wood, wild fruits
and vegetables for own consumption and selling them in the local market is the common
practice in the area.
Edible fruits are obtained from Okhar (Juglans regia), Ban Angur (Vitis vinifera), Bhuen
Kafal (Fragaria nubicola). Khar is used as construction material in the thatching of huts
and Bamboo is widely used as construction materials in houses, local bridge across the
small streams and household use product. Pinus roxburghii is the major timber of the area
and widely used in household construction and furniture making. Bans, Dudhilo and
Bhote Pipal are the major fodder species of the project area.
Similarly, local people use different plant parts of medicinal plants such as root, tuber,
leaf, bark, fruit, and seed as medicine. The promising medicinal species of the area
includes Timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), Kurilo (Asparagus racemosus), Titepati
(Artemisia vulgaris), Bojho (Acorus calamus), Cheraito (Swertia chirayita), Pakhanved
(Bergenia ciliata), Nirmansi (Delphinium denudatum), Siltimur (Lindera neesiana),
Satuwa (Paris polyphylla), etc.
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4.2.1.1.3 Mammals
Twenty species of mammals are reported from the project region. Local people and
Nashong Rural Municipality Conservation committees’s ward no: 5,6 and 7 were consulted
to identify the occurrence and status of occurrence of wildlife mammals. The major
mammal species and their status of occurrence are presented in Table 26.
Table 26 List of Mammals and status of occurrence around the project area
Status of
S. N. Nepali Name Common Name Scientific Name
Occurrence
C S R
1. Himali Dharke Himalayan Striped Tamiops S
Lok- harkee Squirrel macclellandii
Note: C: Common, S: Sparse, R: Rare*** none of them were verified via direct observation
of study team (Source: EIA Field Survey, 2016), ACA
4.2.1.1.4 Avi-Fauna
The forest, cultivated terrace field and structures associated with the village and the
stream pro-vides suitable habitat for a number of bird species. The bird species found in
project area are common and widely distributed in mid hill throughout Nepal.
Table 4.17 presents the lists of birds and their status of occurrence found in the project
region. The primary habitats of the birds found in the area are the forests and bushes. But
some of the species have even adjusted to the settlement areas for their habitats.
Table 27 Birds of the Project Region
C S R
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Sparrow
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The field survey and discussions with the local communities accounted 10 species of the
herpet- fauna in the project region. Table below lists the herpeto-fauna recorded in the
project region. The Bufo melanostictus, Calotes versicolor, Laudakia tuberculata,
Hemidactylus brookii, Asymble- pharus sikimmensis, and Xenochrophis sanctijohannis
are found within the project development area. They are also common throughout the
project region. The riverine flood plains and banks with big boulders are the typical
habitat sites for Calotes versicolor, and Laudakia tuberculata.
Table 28 Herpeto-fauna of the Project Region
Status of
S. Occurrence
Nepali Name Local Name Scientific Name
N.
C S R
Pathhar
5. Himalayan rock lizard Laudakia tuberculata S
chatuwa
Hariyo
6. Three-keeled mountain lizard Oriotiaris tricarinatus S
Cheparo
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Xenochrophis
10. Pani Sarpa St. John’s keelback water snake C
sanctijohannis
4.2.1.1.6 Butterflies
The field visits recorded eight species of the butterflies along the project area. Most of
these but-terfly species are very common in the project area. The detail of the butterflies in
the project re-gions are Common Peacock (Papilio polyctor), Common marmon (Papilio
polytes romolus), Green-veined White (Pieris montanus), Great Blackvein (Metaphoria
agathon), Hairstreak (Chrysozephyrus sp.), Indian Red Admiral (Vanessa indica), Plain
Tiger (Danaus chrysippus chrysippus), Common Tiger (Danaus genutia). (Source: EIA
Field Study, 2018).
Out of reported mammals in the project area, nine species were listed on CITES
Appendixes, four species on IUCN Red Data List and two species on Protected Species
under NPWC Act, 1973 (Table 29).
Table 29 Mammals under Conservation Category in the Project Region
CITES
S.N IUCN Red GON Protected Under
Common Name Scientific Name Appendi List
. NPWC Act, 1973
x
Common
3. Panthera pardus I CE -
leopard
Himalayan
5. Ursus thibetanus I V
black bear
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Rhesus
7. Macaca mulatta II V -
Macaque
Note: CE: Critically Endangered, V= Vulnerable Source: EIA Field Survey, 2016, ACA
Only Two species of bird out of 31 species recorded is listed in the CITES Appendix. None
of the species of herpeto-fauna and butterfly recorded in the project region are listed in the
CITES Annex, IUCN Redbook and Government of Nepal NPWC Act, 1973.
Table 30 Birds under conservation Category in the Project Region
S.N Common Scientific CITES IUCN Red GON Protected Under NPWC
. Name Name Appendix List Act, 1973
1 Common Falco II - -
Kestrel tinnunculus
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The altitudinal gradients between intake and powerhouse is about 446.74 m, so there are
slight variation in vegetation composition along head works area and power house area.
The headworks area consists of mainly weir, intake, and Desander. These structures
located at the right bank of Dudh Khola of Nashong Rural Municipality ward no: 7. The
main land use of the headwork consists of 0.64 ha of ACA.
Headworks area, mainly composed of trees like Utis (Alnus nepalensis), Bhalayo (Rhus
walli- chii), Khirro (Sapium insigne), Chilaune (Schima wallichii). Other associated species
are distri-bution Malato (Macaranga indica), Lampate (Duabanga grandiflora), Mauwa
(Englehardtia spicata), Daar (Boehneria rugulosa), Ankhataruwa (Trichilia connoroides),
and Gineri (Premna inte griflolia).
Among the shrubs and herbs include Khareto (Phyllanthus sp.), Caryopteris foetida,
Luculia gratissima, Rubus ellipticus, Urtica dioca, Maesa macrophylla, Mimosa pudica,
Inula cappa, Gargalo (Boehmeria platyphylla), Eupatorium adenophorum, Themeda
triandra, Thysanolaena maxima, Artemisia dubia, Eulaliopsis binata, Heteropogon
contortus, Imperata cylindrica, Hete- ropogon contortus, Cynodon dactylon,
Pogonantherum sp. and different species of Bamboo (Dendrocalamus sp.).
Shrubs such as Buddleja asiatica, Berberis asiatica, Elaegnus conferta, Osyris withania,
Vitex negundo, Coriaria nepalensis, PyrACAntha crenulata, Inula cappa, Zanthoxylum
armatum, Woodfordia fructicosa are more common in this locality.
Marsdenia roylei, Clematis grewiiflora, Clematis grata are some common climber hanging
with trees and shrubs.
Aechmanthera gossypina, Blumea mollis, Cassia mimosoides, Crotalaria albida, Lilium
walli- chianum, Pogostemon glaber, Gentiana pedicellata etc. are the major herbs species
around the area. Other herbs like Rumex nepalensis, Taraxacum sp., and Urtica dioca, and
Bistorta capita- ta, Eupatorium adenophorum are common. Euphorbia royleana, rather
tall and thorny plant, is found confined on steep rocky environment.
Dominant grasses such as Arundinella nepalensis, Bothriochola intermedia, Imperita
cylindrica,
Tripogon filiformis, Pogoratherum pemiceum, Neyraudia arundinacea, Paspalum
scrobicula- tum, Chrysopogon gryllus, Miscanthus nepalensis, Arundinella nepalensis are
major grasses of the area. Chrsopogon gryllus, Arundo donax, dominates the rocky cliffs
and moderate slopes.
The status of the flora in headworks area is in growing stage.
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The proposed headrace canal passes across the right bank of Dudh khola along ward no. 7
and 5 of Nashong Rural Municipality. The land use pattern of water conveyance structures
consists of 1.6 ha of Private Land, 4.46 ha of ACA and 0.64 ha of flood plain area.
The major species recorded along the headrace canal area are Utis (Alnus nepalensis),
Malato (Macaranga pustulata), Khirro (Sapium insigne), Chilaune (Schima wallichii) and
Gineri (Premna barbata) etc. Neyraudia arundinacea, Paspalum scrobiculatum,
Chrysopogon gryllus, Miscan- thus nepalensis, and Arundinella nepalensis are major
grasses of the area. Grasses are grown in association with herbs and shrubs. Herbs like
Rumex nepalensis, Taraxacum sp., and Urtica di- oca, and Bistorta capitata, Eupatorium
adenophorum are common. Euphorbia royleana, rather tall and thorny plant, is found in
the most of rocky area of the penstock alignment.
The proposed penstock alignment passes across the right bank of Dudh Khola along ward
no. 5 of Nashong Rural Municipality. The land use pattern of penstock alignment consists
of 0.42 ha of Private Land and 0.98 ha of ACA.
Penstock alignment mainly composed of trees like Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Malato
(Macaranga pustulata), Mauwa (Englehardtia spicata), Chilaune (Schima wallichii),
Lampate (Duabanga grandiflora), Dhudhilo (Ficus neriifolia), Daar (Boehneria rugulosa),
Khirro (Sapium insigne), Ankhataruwa (Trichilia connoroides), Gineri (Premna
integriflolia), Dudela (Hedera nepalensis) etc.
Among the shrubs and herbs include Khareto (Phyllanthus sp.), Caryopteris foetida,
Luculia gratissima, Rubus ellipticus, Urtica dioca, Maesa macrophylla, Mimosa pudica,
Inula cappa, Gargalo (Boehmeria platyphylla), Eupatorium adenophorum, Themeda
triandra, Thysanolaena maxima, Artemisia dubia, Eulaliopsis binata, Heteropogon
contortus, Imperata cylindrica, Hete- ropogon contortus, Cynodon dactylon,
Pogonantherum sp. and different species of Bamboo (Dendrocalamus sp.).
4.2.1.1.8.4Powerhouse Area
The Powerhouse area consists of Powerhouse, Tailrace and Sub station/switchyard. The
power-house structures will be situated at the right bank of Dudh Khola along ward no. 5
of Nashong Rural Municipality. The land use of Powerhouse structures consists of 1.08 ha
of Private land, 0.79 ha of ACA.
In the vicinity, Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Daar (Boehneria rugulosa), Khirro (Sapium
insigne), Malato (Macaranga pustulata), Mauwa (Englehardtia spicata), Chilaune (Schima
wallichii) are newly colonizing species of pole sized trees is the major vegetation type.
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The ground vegetation comprises of mostly fodder species to use for cattle and livestock
these species are Elaegnus spp, Pyracantha spp, Berberis spp, etc. Major grasses found
around the central power house area are Bothriochola intermidia, Heteropogon contortus,
Imperata cylin- drica, Eulaliopsis binata, Oplismenus composites, Eriophorum comosum,
and Neyraudia arun- dinacea.
The project support facilities such as Contractor camps, Labor camps and Engineer office
for headworks will be situated at the right bank of Dudh Khola along ward no. 5 of
Nashong Rural Municipality.
The main land use of project support facilities for headworks area consists of 0.25 ha of
ACA permanently and 0.5 ha of private land. The vegetation types of this project area is
similar to all the species found in the Headworks area which has been already described in
Headworks section.
The project support facilities such as Contractor camps, Labor camps and Engineer office
for po-werhouse will be situated at the Right bank of Dudh Khola along ward no. 6 of
Nasong Rural Municipality. The main land use of project support facilities for powerhouse
area consists of 0.75 ha of Private land permanently. The vegetation types of this project
area is similar to all the species found in the Powerhouse area which has been already
described in Headworks section.
The project has planned to dispose its muck at 3.5 ha of ACA temporarily at the right Bank
of Dudh Khola near intake site.
The area is occupied by some shrub species and ground vegetation only. This composed of
trees like Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Bhalayo (Rhus wallichii), with sparse distribution
Malato (Maca-ranga pustulata), Lampate (Duabanga grandiflora), Mauwa (Englehardtia
spicata), Daar (Boehneria rugulosa), Khirro (Sapium insigne), Ankhataruwa (Trichilia
connoroides), Gineri (Premna integriflolia), Dudela (Hedera nepalensis), Scutellaria
scandens are found climbing along the shade and wet River bank climbing to the branches
of these riverine trees.
The total of 1.2 ha of land in ACA will be permanently used for Construction Yard and
Stock Piling facilities for the intake site. Similarly, the total of 0.4 ha of Private land will be
permanently used for Construction Yard and Stock Piling facilities for the powerhouse site.
The vegetation are mentioned as per the intake and headworks.
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There will be one quarry sites for the construction required materials of this project.
The operation of quarry site will change the river morphology. Scar like impact on
landscape, change in elevation level both horizontal and vertical, changes in established
natural drainage pattern, loss of fertile topsoil, unstable slopes and the hazards of
landslide are the main environ-mental impacts. The placement of quarry site will be done
in accordance with Local governmental office.
Saplings of Uttis (Alnus nepalensis), Daar (Boehneria rugulosa), Gineri (Premna
integriflolia), Khirro (Sapium insigne) and Chilaune (Schima wallichii), Bhalayo (Rhus
wallichii) are growing rapidly at both banks of streams in this location.
Eupatorium adenophorum, Bidens pilosa, Blainvillea acmella, Vernonia cinerea,
Ageratum con- yzoides, Rabdosia coetsa, Urena lobata, Rumex hastatus are the major
ground vegetation.
Among floral species, Juglans regia (bark), Nardostachys grandiflora and Picrorhiza
scrophulariiflora are legally protected species under the Forest Regulation, 1995
(amendment 2001). Among the faunal species, Moschus chrysogaster and Tragopan satyra
are legally protected species under National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973. The
conservation status of floral and faunal species is listed in Table 31 and Error!
Reference source not found. respectively.
Table 31 Conservation Status of flora species
Lauth
2 Taxus wallichiana II EN Protected
Salla
Nardostachys
3 Jatamansi II CR Protected
grandiflora
Picrorhiza
4 Kutki II Protected
scrophulariiflora
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Different species of
7 Sungava II EN
Orchids
Mammals
Birds
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However, the project area falls under the Annapurna Conservation Area, any
environmentally sensitive area was not found in the immediate project surrounding
during field investigation. Further, the species found in the area have wider distribution
and no endemic floral and faunal species were recorded in the area during field study.
Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), Blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), Okhar (Juglans regia). Timur
(Zanthoxylum armatum), Kurile (Asparagus rocemosus), Bojho (Acorus calamus).
Cheraito (Swertia chirata), Jatamansi (Nardostachys grandiflora), Satuwa (Paris
polyphylla) etc. are commercially important floral species found in the project area.
In the project area, crops and livestock are often the target of depredation by wildlife like
Black Bear, Monkey, Deer, Porcupine, Leopard etc. In terms of danger to livestock and
man, the most harmful animals are Leopard and Black Bear.
Dudh Khola has a steep gradient. The gradient of the Dudh Khola varies from section to
section. As a consequence, a series of run, riffle and pools have been developed along the
Dudh Khola. This section of the stream is shelter for very few types of insects, mollusks,
phytoplankton, zooplanktons etc. Along this section healthy presence of aquatic
invertebrates indicates the productive aquatic habitat. The river is composed of boulders,
cobbles, pebbles and sand approximately in a composition of 60%, 30%, 9% and 1%
respectively.
Diversion of water from headworks for the power generation directly affects the stream
morphology and flow of water. Thus, due to the implementation of the project, stream
habitat will be disturbed.
4.2.1.1.8.15 Fish
4.2.1.1.8.16 Phytoplankton
A total of four different classes of phytoplankton were collected in the sampling in the
project area. Table 33 presents the density of different species in the different sampling
station. The major class of phytoplankton recorded in 3-sampling stations in field visit is
Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Xanthophyceae. Bacillariophyceae.
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2 Cyanophyceae 6 6 6 Benificial
3 Chlorophyceae 5 4 5 Benificial
4 Desmiadiaceae 3 2 1 Benificial
4.2.1.1.8.17 Zooplankton
A total of two different orders of zooplankton were found in sampling stations of Dudh
Khola. The two orders of zooplankton recorded from the project area were Rotifera and
Arthropoda. Table 4.24 presents the density of different species in the sampling stations.
Rotifera was the dominant order followed by Arthropoda.
Table 34 Zooplankton Species diversity at different Sampling Station
Total 3 4 6
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A total of 4 orders of aquatic insects were recorded from 3 sampling stations during field
survey (Table 35).
Table 35 Aquatic Insect Species Recorded at different Sampling Station
6 Odonata - - -
7 Megaloptera - - -
8 Coleoptera - - -
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Affected District
Demography
The proposed Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (DKHP) is located in Manang district in
Gandaki Province of Nepal. The district is also known as the paradise behind the
Himalaya. Manang is surrounded by Gorkha, Lamjung, Mustang, and Tibetan
autonomous region of China. Beautiful landscape: steep terrain: high Himalayas: and
several River valleys are the main features of Manang. Historically, Manang is recognized
as the paradise for trekkers and thousands of tourists visit the district each year. A number
of Highland lakes and availability of valuable herbs and shrubs has famed the Manang as a
rich district in terms of natural resource-based earnings.
Manang is the least populated district of the country. The district covers an area of 2,246
km2 and had a population of 6,533 (CBS 2012). In 2001, Manang district had total
population of 9,587 of which 5,034 (52.51 %) were males and 4,553 (47.49 %) were
females. In 2011, the district experiences a significant (31.8%) decrease in the population
dropping from 9,587 in 2001 to 6,533 in 2011, of which 3,661 (56%) were males and 2,877
(44 %) were females in 2011 (CBS 2014).
The average family size of the district is 4.42 persons which is less than national average of
5.44 persons. Similarly, the population density is 3.0 persons/Sq.km which is very low
compared to the national figure of 130/Sq.km (CBS 2014).
In terms of National Human Development Report 2014, Manang district stood at 5th
position with HDI value 0.568 within 75 districts. Per Capita Income of Manang is 3,166
US dollar which is about 2.73 times more than national average of 1160 US dollar
(GON/UNDP, 2014).
Manang
%
Source: National Population and Housing Census, CBS, 2011
The table below shows that the population of the project district is under growing stage. The
population of the age group 5 to 9, 10 to 14 and 15 to 19 are in higher side. 47056, 58043 and
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
59293 populations are the total distribution in these age groups respectively. Therefore, the
population of the project district is under growing stage.
Affec Total A
ted g
distri e
ct
g
r
o
u
p
s
00 to 05 to 10 to 15 to 20 to 25 to 30 to 35 to 40 to 45 to 50 to 55 to 60 to 65 to 70 75
44 to +
04 09 14 19 24 29 34 39 49 54 59 64 69
74
Manag
Both
Sex
Male
Female
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Demographic Characteristics
According to the population census of 2011, the total population of the project affected RM
(2011) is 1,938 of whom 955 (49.28%) are males and 983 (50.72 %) are females. The CBS 2012
recorded 454 household in the project RM with an average household size of 4.27. The site-
specific data of the project affected wards are depicted in the Error! Reference source not
found.. According to it, the total household within the project area i.e. totaling 5, 6, & 7 wards
is 102 and the total population is 382.
Table 36 Population (HH) and HH size of the project affected municipality and wards
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Tamang Gurung Thakali Ghale Others
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The project municipality hosts a diverse caste and ethnic households. As per the population
census of 2011, the Gurung are the most dominant indigenous people in the project affected
ward (65.45%), followed by Tamang (16.49%), Ghale (6.02 %) and Thakali (4.45 %).
Language
As per the Census record, in the project affected wards most widely spoken languages are:
Gurung (71.47%) followed by Sherpa (14.92%), Nepali (4.45%), Thakali (4.45%), and other
language (4.71%).
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Migration
Historically, most of Manangi left their ancestral place in search of better economic
opportunities elsewhere. The trend of out migration paused due to the increased inflow of
tourists in their homestead. Still, literatures and discussion with district offices reflected that
nearly half of total populations are outside of the district. Further, due to the extreme weather
conditions in winter, villagers from upper Manang descend to the lower zones. As the project
area lies between 1850 m and 3,044 m and the settlement in the area is limited below 2,500m.
Thus, the households in project area are not so much affected by the weather but it is common
to travel outside the villages for better economic opportunity.
Literacy and education status
The literacy rate (5 years or above) status in the project RM Nashong is 73.84% which is lower
than district average literacy rate of 74.84%. However, the literacy rate in the project affected
wards is 67% (Figure 34). While comparing literacy rate between male and female, the male
literacy rate (52.73%) is higher than female literacy rate (47.27%) of the project affected wards.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Source: Field visit (August 2017) and interview with the key informant
Access to Health Services
There are around 19 health facilities at Project District level Table 38. Among them 2 are
District Health Office, 2 Hospitals, 10 Health posts and 4 sub-health posts. From the Error!
Reference source not found., there are two health posts: Thoche health post and
Dharapani health post, one sub-health post and one supply center in the project affected rural
municipality.
Further, several women health volunteers serve these villages for maternal issues. Only the
district hospital at Chame is serving the district population. However, villagers from project
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
area prefer to travel to Besisahar, Kathmandu and Pokhara than to the Chame as the
accessibility is improved due to the construction of road.
Table 38: Health Services Available in Manang District.
98%
2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
77.45%
19.61%
2.94%
143
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
95%
3% 1% 1% 0% 0%
95.10%
81.73%
0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
83.30%
41.20%
32.40%
22.50%
7.80%
2.90% 0%
Types Area in ha
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Shrub 20,304
Snow 1,65,154
Others 0
cultivated land, mountain cliffs and the forest area. The penstock alignment passes through
forest area, bare hill and agriculture land. The powerhouse location mostly lies on the
cultivated land. The headworks site is dominated by river banks and forest area. The proposed
camp sites are located in the agricultural lands.
Access to Land
Table 40: Households having Agriculture Land, Livestock and Poultry
Household having
102 17 4 1 34 1 1 18 34
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
ha
Mt/
Productivity 1.6 1.65 1.61 1.2
ha
Mt/
Productivity 1.5 1.6 1.61 1.7
ha
Mt/
Productivity 11.6 11.7 11.61 12
ha
Mt/
Productivity 0.93 0.95 0.96 0.92
ha
Mt/
Productivity 11.5 12 11 11
ha
Mt/
Productivity 7.14 8 8.1 8.2
ha
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Source: Manang District Profile and District Agricultural Office, Annual Report
Table 42: Agriculture Pocket Area and Their Production in Project Affected Area
Source: Manang District Profile and District Agricultural Office, Annual Report
Livestock and Poultry
Livestock is an important component of farm activities and contribute to the overall economy
of the project district. The district has the highest density of livestock in the country. In some
villages of the district due to difficult terrains and lack of agricultural land, livestock rearing is
the main source of livelihood. Cows, buffaloes, yaks, Chauris, naks, jhopas, pigs, horses, mules,
donkeys, poultry, goats, sheep, are major livestock reared in the district (NTNC 2008). As the
project area lies at the low altitude zone of the district, cows, Jhopas, pigs, horses, mules,
donkeys, poultry, goats and sheep are common.
Hydropower in the Project Site
The downstream hydropower project is Lower Marsyangdi HP of 140 MW. This project will
utilize the water released from DKHP.
Table 43: List of Micro-hydro and hydro-power in the project rural municipality
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
150
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
55.88%
33.33%
8.82%
1.96%
75.49%
17.65%
6.86%
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
88.24%
5.88%
3.92% 1.96%
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Major NTFPs and Medicinal Plants, fodder plants of project area and their uses are presented
in Table 45.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
154
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
155
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Tourism development in Manang has led to the proliferation of lodges and other tourism
related enterprises. Places such as Tal, Danaque, Chame, Pisang, Humde and Manang have
large number of lodges. According to NTNC (2008), annual turnover of lodge is about NRs.
120-130 million. On an average, a trekker spends NRs. 1500 per day. Besides lodges, other
enterprises such as bakeries, souvenir shops, bhattis*, horse and yak rides, guide services,
general stores and feed supplies have also benefited from tourism.
There were 13,920 tourists entering Manang in the year 2001 and by 2005 it declined to 9,550
(NTNC 2008). After the peace agreement in 2006, it was observed that the tourist inflow in
Manang is gradually increasing and in the year 2014, a total of 20,690 foreign tourists enjoyed
the ACT1.
Major Infrastructures within project area
There are two suspension bridges within project area from intake to powerhouse site. The sus-
pension bridge named Hiribagar Suspension Bridge is located at Ramche-8 which is at the dis-
tance of 500m from proposed intake site. This connects Lwang and Ramche of Machhapuchre
RM. Similarly, another suspension bridge named Lwangghalel Suspension Bridge located near
IMU-7 which lies at the distance of 200m from the proposed powerhouse site. This connects
Imu-7 and Saiti ghatta-7 of Machhapuchre RM.
Infrastructure/Community Resources in the Vicinity of Project
For, other community infrastructures RM offices, Illaka Post Office, Sub-Health Post, Forest
Range Post, Agriculture Service Center in each RM. Annapurna Conservation Area, Illaka Po-
lice Post they will have no major impacts.
The major infrastructures within the project area are existing foot trails from Saiti Ghatta-7 to
Ramche-8 Machhapuchre RM, two suspension bridges within intake and powerhouse, road
net-work from Milan chowk to Saiti Ghatta, Illaka Post Office and Sub-Health Post, Forest
Range Post and Agriculture Service Center in Machhapuchre RM, Annapurna Conservation
Area, Illaka Police Post in Machhapuchre RM. The construction and operation of SKSHEP will
have major impacts on existing foot trails, suspension bridges of intake site and powerhouse
sites and road net-work from Milan chowk to Saiti Ghatta.
For, other community infrastructures RM office, Illaka Post Office, Sub-Health Post, Forest
Range Post, Agriculture Service Center in RM, Annapurna Conservation Area, Illaka Police
Post they will have no major impacts.
Cultural Practices
Hindu being the dominant tribe among the settlers in the Machhapuchre RM, they practice
com-mon traditional behavior, besides these there is also Buddhism culture within project
affected RM.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The majority of ethnic groups practice different cultural activities that include Nwaran (giving
the name to the child for the first time), Pasni (feeding grains to a child for the first time),
Brata- bandha (shaving the hair of male child for the first time), marriage, Barakhi ritual
during the death of a family member (ritual followed one year after death of a person) and
Shradha (offering of Pinda to the dead member of the family every year at the date of the
member’s death). Hindu burns the dead body and not burry. The festivals such as Lhosar and
Buddha Jayanti are celebrated by other communities where as festivals like Dashain, Tihar,
Janai Poornima, Chaite Dashain, Maghe Sankaranri are celebrated by both hindu and other
communities. Some festivals like Teej Mela, Shiva Ratri Mela, Falgun Poornima Mela, Chaite
Dasian Mela, etc are also cele¬brate by all communities.
Existing of micro-hydro /watermills/irrigation schemes within the project
area
The field observation and interaction with RM secretary of Machhapuchre RM and local people
has revealed that there is no existing or running micro-hydros, watermills and irrigation
schemes within the stretch of intake and tailrace of the project area. Also, Saiti River has not
been used by locals for drinking, rafting, professional fishing purposes etc.
Existing and Planned Projects in the project area
The field observation and interaction with RM secretary of Machhapuchre RM and local people
has concluded that there is no any existing and planned projects within the project area from
intake to powerhouse sites that may hamper the construction and operation of the SKSHEP.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
With reference to the project design parameters, the environmental impacts have been
assessed as per the National Environmental Impact Assessment Guidelines 1993 for
magnitude, extent, duration and significance of the impacts. Any impact is assessed as long
term if it lasts for the entire life of the project i.e. 30 years. Any impact is assessed as medium
term if it lasts for more than 5 years and less than 30 years. Any impact is assessed as short
term if it lasts for only 5 years or during the construction period. Similarly, in assessing the
significance, if the quantified magnitude is more than 50%, (i.e. average), it would be termed as
significant impact. At the same time, if the impact is irreversible then the impact would be
termed as significant. In classifying the extent limited up to the project area is site specific,
limited up to the affected RM is local and any impact extending beyond the project area would
be termed as regional impact.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
service sectors such as education, health, sanitation and drinking water facilities in and around
the surrounding project area.
The impact is direct as well as indirect in nature, of medium in magnitude, local in extent and
short term in duration.
ii. Increase in local skills in the relevant areas
The project requires 60 skilled and 160 semiskilled manpower. All these men having some
technical skills will be employed for such work. The Project will launch training programs for
specialized areas of work such as electromechanical works of hydropower, house wiring and
maintenance, road slope stabilization, spoil handling etc. First priority will be given for the
project affected people and local people to the extent they are interested to get involved in
construction activities.
The impact is indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in
duration.
iii. Increase in economic opportunity such as business, rental of houses and its impact on local
economy
A large number of workers (371) will be required during the construction phase of the project.
The total of 150 workforces from local people will not only get the employment opportunity,
there will be also huge demand of their local agricultural products. The establishment of
market place of the local people increases the economy of the local people. The additional 70
workforces will reside in the project area for the considerable time during the construction
period. They will have good purchasing power; there will be increased demand for different
types of food, beverage and other daily necessary items. This may require many tea stalls,
grocery shops, bars and restaurants. The local people having good experience in running
lodges, restaurants and grocery shops may open the enterprises and create employment
opportunities to themselves and others as helpers. The development of potential new market
place will be near to the area of Dharapani, Manang which is at the tailrace part of DKHP
project. As a result, significant amount of cash will be channeled into the local economy.
The impact is indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
iv. Community development support in the project area
The access road (0.5 km) will be constructed which will improve transportation facilities in the
project area. In addition, the project will support health posts, schools, and drinking water
supply and irrigation facilities of the PARM. The Project will allocate certain fund for training
of community’s local farmers and traders in modern techniques of cash crop and livestock
productions and in small enterprise development activities suitable to fulfill likely demands
from the work force.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
Operation Stage
i. Employment Opportunity during the operation of project
After the completion of construction work, the project will require numerous permanent posts
for the smooth operation and regular maintenance of project components such as equipments,
water conveyance and powerhouse. Altogether about 25 people will be deployed during the
operation phase of the project, that includes 8 unskilled, 9 semiskilled, and 8 skilled man
powers. Local people will be recruited for administrative and technical works according to their
qualifications and skills. These will give permanent income source to some of the local people.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Project area is already connected with the national grid. Due to the operation of DKHP an
additional 65 MW of electricity will be connected to the national grid. Being the Nashong RM,
the affected project RM, there will be regular supply of electricity thus enhanced the power
supply in the project area.
The impact is indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in
duration.
v. Improve health and Sanitation
The establishment as well as standardization of health institution helps local people to improve
their health institution. Health and sanitation training to workers during construction phase,
occupational health related training to workforce further increase the health and sanitation
status of local people and area.
The impact is indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
vi. Local area development and mainstreaming to the national economic activities
The project will improve social services of that area that includes improved in education,
health, agricultural extension, transport and communication, water supply and sanitation
structures etc. The improved social services access a lot of local people for their maximum and
well used.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
vii. Tourism opportunities due to increased accessibility and project
The professional peoples, students from different colleges and even other big investors may
visit the area to see how the project is running in its operation phase. This may create a big
opportunity for developing local tourism in this area.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
viii. Rural electrification opportunities via national grid
The generation of hydroelectricity from DKHP will provide rural electrification largely to the
Nashong RM. This will help to allow establishing the local industries, internet communication
center for tourist, new resorts for tourist, other new commercial activities near to the project
area. The presence of electricity will also help the local people to standardized their livelihood
condition.
The impact is direct in nature, high in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in duration.
ix. Increase awareness to ACA official and community forest user groups for the natural
resource management
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The project will manage different awareness programme in coordination with ACA officials for
the natural resource management. The awareness training will be according to the advice of the
ACA officials.
The impact is direct in nature, high in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in duration.
x. Business opportunities for local people and enhancement of local economy
The local people will not only get the employment opportunity, there will be a huge demand of
their local agricultural products. The establishment of market place of the local people can
increase the opportunities for business for the local people. The local people having good
experience in running lodges, restaurants and grocery shops may open the enterprises and
create employment opportunities to themselves and others as helpers. As a result, significant
amount of cash will be channeled into the local economy for its enhancement.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
xi. Development of Road Networking
The construction of access road for the project will provide local people of Nashong RM and
their neighbouring RMs access to the strategic network of Nepal. The project area will be
served by cheaper passenger transport services such as buses and mini buses. Transport costs
of goods will also decline and commodities will be available in lower prices than before. The
decline in transport costs and cheaper agro inputs and raw materials may motivate local
farmers for further stimulate cash crops and industrial productions. Due to the availability of
reliable transport services health officers and teachers will be willing to stay there or visit the
area frequently. This will enhance development and promotion of social service sector such as
health and education facilities. All these will improve economic condition and quality of life of
local people.
The impact is direct in nature, high in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in
duration.
xii. Increase in Local Development Activities
As per the decision of the GoN, certain percentage from the royalty fee from the hydropower
generation should go to the DDC of Manang district for the development activities. This will
certainly encourage local body (Rural Municipality) to have improved level of education,
health, water supply, markets and communication services and ask the project for investing to
improve the level of the services.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
Adverse impacts
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
DKHP has identified possible impacts on physical, biological and socioeconomic and cultural
environment from the approved Scoping and Terms of Reference. In order to keep the study as
per the Scoping and ToR of the study, impact on each issue has been discussed, evaluated and
the mitigation measures have been proposed in the following Chapter.
Physical and Chemical Environment
The physical environmental issues of the project were studied in an exhaustive manner during
EIA study. The issues identified in the TOR were found to be the issues of concerns for the
project construction and operation.
Construction Stage
i. Impacts on land use
The physical location of the project infrastructures will occupy certain areas that belong to the
local people and the government. The lands with the land ownership paper by the people have
been categorized as the private land and without ownership paper have been categorized as
government land. These lands need to be acquired from the owners for the construction of
various infrastructures. Altogether the proposed project DKHP will acquire 14.8 ha of total
land which includes 3.25 ha of cultivated private land (including both Khet and bari), 3.57 ha of
ACA Forest Area and 2.1 ha Flood Plains Area at different localities for the placement of project
structure and facilities. The different types of land proposed for the DKHP is shown in Table
46.
Table 46 Land Proposed for DKHP
S.N.
Land Types (Hectares)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
164
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
dust materials, impact on riverine water, increasing sludge quantity in Dudh Khola, increased
noise pollution during its operation if not properly managed. This will have some adverse
impacts on the aquatic life and local people staying within near by area.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short term
in duration.
vi. Landslide and soil erosion due to excavations works
The project has 4336.31 m length of headrace canal and 917.61 m length of penstock alignment.
The headrace canal will pass at the right bank of Dudh Khola and there needs more excavation
works and it also makes geology of this area very weak and more vulnerable. Further penstock
alignment passess through unstable slopes. This will further increase chances of landslides and
soil erosion with in this section.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.
vii. Solid waste generated from camps
Two types of solid wastes will be generated by the project. They are domestic and construction
wastes. Improper handling and management of these wastes can result in production of
unpleasant odors, deterioration of water quality, visual impacts and public health hazards.
Domestic waste will be generated by the people who are directly and indirectly involved in
project construction. The amount of waste generated will depend upon the number of people
working in the project and, more importantly, the number of people who temporarily migrate
to the project area during construction, including construction crews, members of their
families, and people who supply goods and services to the workers.
During the construction period about 111 kg (assuming 300 grams for 371 people daily) of
domestic waste which will be generated by the workforces. The domestic waste will primarily
consist of organic food waste. They are biodegradable and nonhazardous, and can be easily
managed and will not be a significant problem. However, if the domestic waste is dumped in
the streams, degradation of the waste will cause depletion of dissolved oxygen in water. This
will adversely affect aquatic life in the streams. In addition, improperly disposed domestic
waste will spoil the natural beauty of the area, cause foul smell, and attract flies, rodents and
other scavengers which could produce public health concerns, for the construction workers as
well as the local people. Waste generated by construction activities includes empty cement bags
and containers, unwanted materials, temporary frames, plastics and other structures. This kind
of wastes will have negligible impact on the environment because most of such wastes will
probably be recycled.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.
viii. Muck/spoil disposal
The project has mostly balanced cut and fill activities. During the entire construction process
about 573,985 m3 muck will be generated. Among the muck and spoil thus generated about
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
5,000 m3 is top soil and rest is muck which will not have direct use as construction materials.
However, muck is required in headworks area for the land management to make it flat area. In
headworks among the muck generated about 2000 m muck will be used for the land
management. Along the penstock alignment (1700 m) filling is required in many sections.
On the other hand, along the internal access road from Dudh ghatta 7 to intake site i.e. Ramche
8 about 2,300 m3 muck will be used as filling materials. Thus, about 4,000 m3 spoil needs to
be disposed from the project. For, this about 0.75 ha of private land at intake site and 0.5 ha of
ACA at powerhouse site has been allocated for the safe disposal of the muck generated from the
project. In general the impact due to muck diposal in this project minimum considering the
project of similar sizes. The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and
short term in duration.
ix. Leakage of oil, grease and other chemicals
More than twenty numbers of vehicles including light and heavy would be required for the
construction of the Project. These vehicles would need diesel and petrol for daily running.
Similarly, engine oil, gear oil, brake oil etc. would be needed frequently. The labor housing
would require large volume of kerosene for cooking purpose. The reliable power supply is
required for the employer's office, contractor's office, workshop etc. for which operation of
diesel power plan would be required.
The project will store fuel, grease and other lubricants for 1 month in the store area. The
possibility of leakage of oil and grease and other liquid materials is high. These oil if spilled
easily spread over ground producing eye sore. Near the water surface, the oil spill pollutes the
water surface and the dissolved oxygen content of the water body will be reduced. The oil
leakage has detrimental impact on the aquatic life. In this case, right bank of Dudh Khola near
intake sites, quarry sites and powerhouse sites will be affected. The impact is direct in nature,
high in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in duration. Change in river
morphology due to use of quarry site
One quarry site has proposed for DKHP. This is in the right Dudh Khola at Nashong RM ward
no: 5,6 and 7. The operation of quarry site will change the river morphology. Scar like impact
on landscape, change in elevation level both horizontal and vertical, changes in established
natural drainage pattern, loss of fertile topsoil, unstable slopes and the hazards of landslide are
the main environmental impacts.
The impact is direct in nature; low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short term
in duration.
x. Impact on Natural drainage due to headrace canal
The total length of the headrace canal in this project is approximately 1396 m and it is
proposed along the right bank of Dudh Khola. As this alignment will change the natural
drainage pattern of this area, it will also increase soil erosion and land instability of this area.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Thus, the impact is direct in nature; low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short
term in duration.
xi. Construction camp sites
Two camps sites have been proposed for the project as construction support facilities during
the construction period. Among the camp site one is at headwork sites and another is at
powerhouse sites will be used during the operation period also. Therefore, permanent land will
be required for the construction of camp site at headwork and powerhouse sites. Project will
require as far as local people to reduce the pressure of outsider to the area, therefore due to the
construction of camp site during the construction period low impact could be envisaged. In
total project will require 220 numbers of workforces and maximum number to be settled in
camp will be same in number. Due to the camp establishment, land use change of the area,
solid waste generation, pollution to the nearby water source are most likely to occur.
Considering the size of workforce and nature of the camp area the impact is direct in nature;
low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short term in duration.
xii. Impact due to seismicity
Impact of seismicity is not relevant during the construction period rather is relevant for the
operation phase. Project will incorporate seismicity impact since design phase that might occur
due to natural hazards and vibration of project activities. Thus the impact has not discussed in
this section. Further, EIA study also suggests that the design team to incorporate the seismicity
impact since the design of the project.
xiii. Impact on Dewatered zone stretch
During the construction phase impact on dewatered zone due to water diversion is not
relevant. Impact along the stretch due to contamination of water quality has been discussed in
different section Change in water quality, release of toxic and hazardous waste, spoil disposal
etc. Thus this issue is not relevant other than discussed during the construction phase of the
project.
xiv. Increased level of noise and vibration
Construction activities will produce noise and vibration at the project site. The main activities
that will generate noise and vibration are blasting, use of batching plants and movement of
heavy equipments such as drilling, vibrators, dozers, loaders, rollers, crane, generators and
pumps. This will disturb the peaceful environment that currently exists in the project area.
Especially the impact will be significant at Tiliche and Thoche of Nashong RM near intake and
penstock alignment settlements of Nashong RM near powerhouse sites and access road sites.
Noise level above 65 dB (A) is not desirable. The construction of the project would likely to
exceed this threshold of noise level, affecting human, wildlife and livestock's and project area.
Intense vibration may produce cracks in the existing houses, trigger rock falls in the unstable
area in some cases, the high intensity of vibration may even cause the built structures to
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
collapse which lay in proximity of the project site. The impact is direct in nature; low in
magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short term in duration.
xv. Change in air quality
During the construction period, activities such as transportation and handling of construction
material, excavation, drilling, blasting, use of heavy equipment, and the use of crushing and
batching plant will generate significant amount of dust and vehicular emissions (suspended
particles, carbon monoxide, sulfured oxide, hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen in ambient
air). These impacts on air quality will, however, be of short-term in duration and mostly
limited to the project site. It will be most severe at the sites of crushing plant, concrete mixing
sites, along the access roads, in the spoil disposal area and in areas where major construction
activities will occur, such as at the weir and the powerhouse site. The movement of heavy
vehicle in project site is likely to increase in dust and vehicular emissions. The topographical
condition of the site is a narrow gorge, which will restrict, to a certain extent, the dispersion of
air pollutants.
Other potential impacts on air quality are unpleasant odor due to improper management of
sewerage and solid waste, indoor smoke pollution due to cooking activities. Construction
activities will attract large number of migrant labors and people who supply goods and services
to the labor force. If adequate measures are not taken to handle the sewerage and solid waste
generated by this new population, there is a possibility of increase in foul odor. In addition to
these, using firewood in labour camps will result in indoor air pollution. Settlements of
Nashong RM ward no: 5,6 and 7 will bear the impact due to change in air quality in the local
area.
The impact is indirect in nature, low in magnitude, regional in extent and short term in
duration.
xvi. Change in water quality
Most of the construction activities will be located close to the right bank of Dudh Khola at
intake sites, quarry sites and Powerhouse sites. Disturbance of the river bed, construction of
dams and the weir, disposal of unwanted materials on the river banks etc. will increase the
turbidity, with suspended and dissolved solids in the Dudh Khola. Quarry site has been
proposed at the right bank of Dudh Khola. This will have some adverse impacts on the aquatic
life. However, the impacts of increased turbidity and pollution will be minimal because the flow
rate of Dudh Khola is comparatively higher than the flow required diluting the expected
amount of pollutants generated.
Improper management of waste, both solid and liquid, generated by 220 workforce directly or
indirectly involved in the project will result in increased BOD and Fecal Coliform in Dudh
Khola at Nashong RM of nearby settlements of all three affected wards of Nashong RM near
intake and penstock alignment and settlements of Nashong RM near powerhouse sites .
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
This might have an adverse impact on the aquatic life in the river and the public health of the
local people in the project area and downstream. However, the impact on public health will not
be severed because no people in the area use water directly from Dudh for drinking purpose.
Most of the communities more than 95% in the project site use piped water supply systems as
drinking water sources. These water sources will not have any impact from the project
construction.
Liquid waste might occur as a result from the construction activities and from the use of
lubricants, paints, cleaning, chemical and other aqueous and oil-based materials. Some wastes
might occur as a result of leaks from construction equipment, accidental spills during materials
transfer and storage and also from improper and inadequate management, as lubrication and
changing of oil are the common practices in construction equipments.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short term
in duration.
xvii. Loss of top soil
Loss of top soil i.e.30,000 m3 is permanent and recovery chance is almost impossible. The
clearing and grubbing of vegetation form the project area for construction related works like
formation of new alignment, borrow area, quarry sites increase loss of top soil from these sites.
Headworks area and facilities, Penstock alignment, Access Road and powerhouse sites will
have greater impact due to loss of top soil. The losses of top soil decrease the fertility rate of the
land thus reducing agricultural production.
The impact is indirect in nature, low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short
term in duration.
Operation Stage
After construction, the project enters operation and maintenance stage and power is regularly
generated from the powerhouse. During this stage, the following impacts are likely to occur.
i. Changes in hydrology and sedimentation
The upstream of diversion weir construction will drastically change the river’s present
morphology due to change in the river bed elevation. Within the diversion section, between
diversion weir and the tailrace; there will be considerable reduction in the river discharge. The
river will have only residual environmental flow i.e. 15% of average monthly flow. The river
flood plain will be wider and chocked with boulders, cobbles, pebbles and sand. There is
potential of colonization of the flood plain areas by hygroscopic vegetation if not used for
animal grazing. In the monsoon season, however, this stretch of the river will exhibit
characteristics of river morphology similar to that of the present.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and long
term in duration.
ii. Impact on Natural drainages due to headrace canal
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The headrace canal will have only minor impacts on natural drainage during operation phase.
Since, it only passes through 4336.31 m length at the right bank of Dudh Khola no major
potential impacts seen in this period. During the long run underground water and geology will
be affected of that area.
The impact is direct in nature; low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and long term in
duration.
iii. Noise and vibration in powerhouse sites
Due to the heavy machine running for every time for generating 65 MW of power, the sound
pollution is expected to be greater than 75 dBA which will be the major problem at powerhouse
site.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in
duration.
iv. Change in water quality due to reduced flow
The water quality of river in the monsoon season even in the dewatered zone section (between
diversion weir and tailrace) and below tailrace will be similar to present. There will be some
minor changes in the water quality in the months from October to June in the dewatered
stretch of the river between diversion weir and tailrace than the present. The water quality will
be slightly altered by the variables of the tributaries even though the greater share of the water
volume is contributed by the residual environmental flow of the Dudh Khola from the diversion
weir. The dissolved oxygen level will slightly drop while the water temperature will slightly
increase than the present. Suspended sediment load in the river water will however,
significantly drop than the present.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.
v. Leakage of oil, grease and other chemicals
During the operation period maintenance of mechanical equipments of powerhouse needs
chemicals and will likely to leak during the maintenance work. While sweeping such chemicals,
it will get directly mixed to the water body of Dudh khola unless preventives will be used.
In addition, these oil/chemicals if spilled easily spread over ground producing eye sore. Near
the water surface, the oil spill pollutes the water surface and the dissolved oxygen content of
the water body will be reduced. The oil leakage has detrimental impact on the aquatic life.
Impact due to leakage of oil, grease and other chemicals however in Dudh Khola during the
operation period seems irrelevant.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and long term in
duration.
vi. Change in microclimate in the dewatered stretch
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Microclimate change is expected to occur in the dewatered section of the river between
diversion weir and tailrace. In the dewatered section, the temperature might fall by about 0.5
0C in the winter season. In the hot summer season (Mansir Jestha), the temperature might rise
by 0.5 to 10Q in the monsoon season (Ashad Kartik), no change in temperature is expected.
The expected River Discharge between Diversion Weir and Tailrace is shown in Table 5.2.
The impact is indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
Table 47 Expected River Discharge between Diversion Weir and Tailrace
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Project will incorporate seismicity impact since design phase that could occur during operation
phase. Thus, the impact has not discussed in this section. Further, EIA study also suggests that
the design team to incorporate the seismicity impact since the design of the project.
viii. Climate change hazard
Dudh Khola is perennial stream. The major source of Dudh Khola is rain fed in nature from its
catchment in Annapurna mountains. Change in vegetation patterns of the catchment is
envisaged along the catchment. On the other hand, climatic hazards like concentrated rainfall
could be responsible for the land instability triggering the landslide along the catchment of
Dudh Khola. This will increase the flood level at the intake of project and rate of sedimentation
will be increased.
The impact is indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, regional in extent and long term in
duration.
ix. Water Use and Right
The field observation and interaction with local community has revealed that the water from
Dudh Khola has not been used by locals for drinking, rafting, professional fishing purposes or
for irrigation purposes within the stretch of intake and tailrace of DKHP because of the flowing
of Dudh Khola from lower elevation and presence of mainly steep land upstream. The
possibility of operation of major irrigation canal along the stretch of DKHP and upstream was
not identified. Thus, the issues of water rights while operating this project is nonexistence at
the time of this study.
Biological Environment
The biological environmental issues of the project were studied in an exhaustive manner
during EIA study. The issues identified in the TOR were found to be the issues of concerns for
the project construction and operation.
Construction Stage
i. Loss of Forest and Vegetation (Plant Diversity)
The total loss of forest land area is 3.57 ha of land area which is managed by Forest
management subcommittee of ACA will be impacted directly by the implementation of the
project. Among the total forest area required for the project 1.85 ha of forest and 1.15 ha of
river and flood plain will be destroyed permanently and 0.5 ha of forest and 1.09 ha of river
and flood plain area for temporary purpose of the project. A total of 54 pole size, 53 tree size
vegetation, 1467/ha regeneration, 754/ha sapling will be lossed during the construction period.
Introduction of alien species and day to day mass movement at project site will fragment the
forest land and ecosystem diversity. The total loss of forest and vegetation is described in
(Annex IV) and succeeding section also.
Implementation of the DKHP requires felling of total 107 different forest products plant. The
highest loss is of Alnus nepalensis followed by Rhus wallichii then Sapium insignie, Schima
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
wallichii, Premna intergrifolia, Debregeasia salicifolia, Ficus neriifolia, Macaranga indica and
others. The project activities disturb the insitu habitat of plant species. On the other hand
project will have direct impact on the regeneration of 1467 seedlings/ha and 754 saplings/ha
from the ACA area. The total loss of forest area is 4.5 ha and the loss is envisaged from the
area. (Table 48).
Loss of Forest in terms of Species (Summary)
Table 48 Loss of Plant Species due to Implementation of Project
Duabang
Timber and
3 grandiflora 1.11 0.202 44.5 0.927 5 0
Firewood
(Lampate)
Engelhar
Timber and
4 diaspicata 0.94 0.237 36.5 1.538 1 2
Firewood
(Mauwa)
Premna inte
Timber and
6 grifolia 1.13 0.144 45 0.481 7 0
Firewood
(Gineri)
Sapium in
Timber and
8 signie 3.34 0.915 113 5.52 3 7
Firewood
(Khirro)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Trichilia
connoroides Timber and
10 0.32 0.04 14 0.14 2 0
(Ankhataru Firewood
wa)
Total 63.96 54 53
Alnus 1080
1 11.08 12 36000 24 180000 144 43200 270000
nepalensis(Utis) 0
Duabangagrandiflora(
3 1.11 5 21000 0 0 28 8400 2100 31500
Lampate)
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S Name of Species Volu Pole Class Tree Class Chatta Class Value Total
N me of Econo
Engelhardiaspicata(M
4 0.94
(m3) 1 3000 2 15000 12 3600 900 Fodd mic
22500
auwa) Loss
er
Macaran ga indica Loss
5 0.78 3 9000 1 7500 16 4800 1200 22500
(Malato)
Premnaintegrifolia(Gi
6 1.13 7 21000 0 0 28 8400 2100 31500
neri)
Rhus walli
7 9.58 8 24000 18 135000 104 31200 7800 198000
chii(Bhalayo)
Sapiuminsignie(Khirr
8 3.34 3 9000 7 52500 40 12000 3000 76500
o)
Schimawallichii(Chila
9 1.95 8 24000 1 7500 36 10800 2700 45000
une)
Trichiliaconnoroides(
10 0.32 2 6000 0 0 8 2400 600 9000
Ankhataruwa)
3210
Total 162000 397500 128400 720000
0
Nepali/
Scientific
S.N. Local English Parts used Uses
name
name name
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Nepali/
Scientific
S.N. Local English Parts used Uses
name
name name
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Nepali/
Scientific
S.N. Local English Parts used Uses
name
name name
bloodless dysentery.
Dryoathyriu
Kali Tendril
10 Fern m
neuro, shoots It is used for headache, fever
Neguro boryanum and stomachic disorders.
Ghod
tapre,
Water pe Centella
14 Topre Whole plant Juice of plants is used to cure
mywort asiati ca
jhar, for fever, jaundice and
Brahmi internal heat of the body.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Nepali/
Scientific
S.N. Local English Parts used Uses
name
name name
worms. For this purpose, the
people eat it in each year (May
June).
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Nepali/
Scientific
S.N. Local English Parts used Uses
name
name name
Stephania
27 Leaves, bulb Leaves and bulb juice are used
Batul pate glandulifera in gastric.
Golden
Rubus Fruits, Shoot paste is used in snake's
30 evergreen
ellipticus roots, shoot. bites. Root juice for fever and
Ainselu raspberry fruit for appetite.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Introduction of alien species and day to day mass movement at project site will fragment the
forest land and ecosystem diversity. Due to the high anthropogenic activities, loss of plant
diversity and fragmentation of habitat, the entire ecosystem and succession of species could be
impacted in the local area.
The terrestrial wildlife’s are noise sensitive. The increased mobility of people and construction
vehicles will drive away the terrestrial wildlife from the vicinity of construction sites. Increased
noise level not only drives away the terrestrial wildlife but also have impact on the breeding
behavior. The increase in noise level in general and high pitch noise during blasting is
envisaged to drive away the terrestrial wildlife of the valley even at considerable distance from
the construction sites. The monkeys and Ghorals, so commonly seen in the valley area, will
move away for the entire construction period only to return to the area after some period of
completion of construction activities.
Accidental spill of oils, lubricants and hazardous waste and direct disposal of diverse types of
construction wastes, camp wastes and construction spoils near the powerhouse into the water
body of Dudh Khola. The aquatic lives (flora and fauna) with limited range of tolerance along
the Dudh could be impacted severely.
The haphazard disposal of camp waste and other toxic wastes of construction is also envisaged
to have an impact on the night scavenging wildlife of the area. Food poisoning due to mixing of
toxic materials could be even fatal to the nocturnal wildlife.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
iv. Illegal collection of forest products by the workforce/Increase Demand of Firewood and
Timber
The workforce and camp during the construction period could involve in firewood collection
illegally and timber collection for their personal. There might be project needs to save the cost
being using the cheap fuel for cooking, heating and cheap source of timber. This will further
decrease the forest and plant species from the area and vicinity.
During the construction phase, construction related workforce may involve for the illegal
collection of forest products. As of date, the local forest resources use was limited to the local
community consumption only under the supervision of ACA unit. With the access road opening
near to the forest at and start of the project construction, it is highly likely that the forest
resources of headworks area the chances of commercial exploitation of forest product in illegal
way could be envisaged. The envisaged impact is moderate, site specific and short term in
nature.
v. Loss of Rare and Endangered/Endemic Plant species
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
There is mobility of outside workforce and may be some illegal activities by these workforces
could affect the status of occurrence to the rare, endangered and endemic plant of the area as
identified in baseline study.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and long term in
duration.
vi. Loss of Rare and Endangered/Endemic Wildlife Species
The project does not directly affect the conservation significance wildlife species of ACA
because of the loss of forest habitat. Outside the ACA, among the 10 identified wildlife species
of conservation category in the project region, none of the species uses the forest areas to be
affected by the project as breeding habitat. However, some of the conservation wildlife species
do visit the sites very rarely for feeding purpose. The loss of the feeding ground / bushy area
will have some impact on the wildlife, but is not envisaged to be significant. This is also
because of the high anthropogenic activities along the project area since the ancient time.
The impact is indirect in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.
vii. Loss of Wildlife and Wildlife Habitats
Erection of project components will definitely have impact on the habitat connectivity of
wildlife species. Clearance of 3.57 ha forest area and 4.64ha of grassland of conservation area
will have impact on the habitat of wildlife of local area due to habitat fragmentation. Feeding
habitat and movement of short-range wildlife species will be impacted.
The terrestrial wildlife’s are noise sensitive. The increased mobility of people and construction
vehicles will drive away the terrestrial wildlife from the vicinity of construction sites. Increased
noise level not only drives away the terrestrial wildlife but also have impact on the breeding
behavior. The increase in noise level in general and high pitch noise during blasting is
envisaged to drive away the terrestrial wildlife of the valley even at considerable distance from
the construction sites. Illegal hunting and poaching of workforce will made escape to the local
faunal species. The monkeys and ghorals, so commonly seen in the area, will move away for the
entire construction period and return to the area after some period of completion of
construction activities. The envisaged impact is low, site specific and short term.
viii. Illegal Hunting and Poaching Activities and Illegal Trade
The project area is habited by comparatively small population. And their activity within the
ACA is monitored by the ACA staff from Ghandruk office and Area Conservation Office of ACA
at Nashong and local forest conservation Committees (Main committee and subcommittee).
Due to influx of construction labor and other staffs, there will be market of wildlife product
mainly; meat of Kalij and Ratuwa and so impact on wildlife due to poaching and trade of such
wildlife is identified. Likewise, demand of forest products such as firewood, timber, NTFPs and
some medicinal plant species is envisaged to be increased during the construction period due
to raise in the number of workforces.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Therefore, there will be impact on wildlife population and vegetation. Some ACA area along the
exact vicinity of both right and left bank of Dudh Khola around powerhouse area and quarry
site is envisaged to be impacted more than the other area. With the increase of people during
construction period, the existing ACA staff, local conservation comittees and local security
personals at Nashong RM ward no: 5,6 and 7 will be highly pressured to carry out effective
monitoring in the ACA. As a result, monitoring works will be below required level for
safeguarding the wildlife and biodiversity of the ACA from possible illegal wildlife poaching
activities, their trade, illegal collection of medicinal plants and NTFPs of the construction
workforce and other population attracted by construction works in the project. Uncontrolled
activities of people will have the impact on the wildlife of the ACA is envisaged to be very
significant.
The overall impact is indirect in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
ix. Temporary Diversion of Water
River Diversion
The construction works at the stream bed at the headwork is limited to water diversion while
erecting the weir foundation. This activity will be of limited time period of about 1 month or so
in the dry season. About 30m of the river stretch will be affected by the water diversion and the
section may be dewatered.
Aquatic species phytoplankton and zooplankton will be affected in the section. Increase in
turbidity level during construction period will also affect the river stretch in the downstream
areas affecting the aquatic life.
During the Construction of Headworks
Freshwater flora and fauna of Dudh Khola will be affected due to accidental spill and leakages
of oils, lubricants, hazardous waste, explosives, and direct disposal of diverse types of
construction wastes, head work site construction wastes, spoils, mucks into the water body
which will be severely affected during the construction period. The tolerance limits of
freshwater species are limited during the extreme. Thus, the aquatic life will have severe
impact.
During the Construction of Powerhouse
Powerhouse construction site is located in the flood plain area of Dudh Khola. During the
construction of Powerhouse area accidental spill of oils, lubricants and hazardous waste and
direct disposal of diverse types of construction wastes, camp wastes and construction spoils
into the water body.
Overall impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
xi. Disturbance to Aquatic Flora/Fauna
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
During the diversion of water from headwork drying the first phase of construction period
about 30 m section will be dechannelized. Aquatic flora and fauna in this section will be
impacted. During this stage the turbidity level of water will be increased. Thus, downstream
flora and fauna will also be impacted.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration
hence not significant.
xii. Impact of Forest Fire
The indicators of fire hazards in the base line information are vegetation, climate, and
settlement pattern including house types. The vegetation is mainly mixed hardwood forest and
presence of shrub land and ground vegetation is significant in the area. The settlement is in
cluster and houses are made of timber. There is fire hazard risk but it depends upon the
activities and their working area.
During the construction period, uncontrolled activities of labor force, accidental lighting to the
forest and grassland area at and around the project area could light the fire to the adjoining
forest basically during summer season. Both banks of the rivers have forests, the construction
is definitely going to affect the forest health.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.
Operation Phase
ii. Aquatic Flora and Fauna
Removal of river boulder for quarry, temporary diversion of the river, reduced flow along the
stream stretch will have adverse impact on aquatic life during operation phase.
The magnitude of impact is considered to be low; extent is local and duration is short term.
iii. Disturbance to wildlife habitat
The increased mobility of people and operational workforce will drive away the terrestrial
wildlife from the vicinity of project sites. The terrestrial wildlife is very noise sensitive. Thus,
increased noise level not only drives them away from the area but also have impact on their
breeding behavior. The increase in noise level in general and high pitch noise drive away the
terrestrial wildlife at considerable distance from the project sites.
iv. Disturbance to wildlife movement
The project has most of the component such as erected project infrastructures, weir, settling
basin, penstock pipe, powerhouse and project support facilities will act as barrier or disturb the
movement of wildlife in and around the project area. The electric light arrangement will also be
high in powerhouse and intake area, which will disturb movement of wildlife in surrounding
areas.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Movement of wildlife is limited along the area during the crop ripening time for the feeding
proposes. Furthermore, the hunting and poaching of visitor wild animals could be increased by
the workforce.
The impact is indirect in nature low in magnitude, regional in extent and short term in
duration.
v. Easy access to forest due to internal access road
The implementation of project will construct about 500 m internal access road. The area being
officially declared as ACA, the rules and regulation of ACA will prohibit such activities. With
the access road opening and start of the project operation, it is highly possible that the forest
resources of the area could be exploited commercially in illegal way in spite of being ACA.
The impact is indirect in nature low in magnitude, regional in extent and short term in
duration.
vi. Sudden Release of water to downstream
The project may have impact with regard to movement and safety of wildlife due to sudden
release of water in downstream area of intake during operation. Particularly the low flow area
downstream of intake site will have this kind of impact. Due to diversion of water the discharge
of stream between intake and powerhouse (5.2 km) will be change. There will be flow variation
downstream of the powerhouse due to release of water after power generation. The impact is
occasional and accident to wildlife is by chance or accidental.
Hence the magnitude of impact is considered to be low, extent is local and duration is short
terms.
vii. Reduction of Water Flow in the dewatered Zone
Reduction of water flow along 5 km stretch of Dudh Khola will have cumulative impact on
aquatic life such as fish in the lower section of stream. There will be very low impact on
phytoplankton, zooplankton and aquatic insects of this stretch of river.
The magnitude of impact is considered to be low; extent is local and duration is long term.
viii. Impact on ACA flora and fauna
The operational activity at headwork site has greater possibility of disturbances on flora and
fauna of nearby forests rather than to the powerhouse area. During the operation phase,
operator and workforce also their dependent could involve in illegal collection of firewood,
NTFPs, hunting and poaching activity and would trigger the status of adjoining flora and
fauna. This would further challenge the management of ACA and this most likely to be
impacted the forest patch nearby.
The magnitude of impact is considered to be low; extent is local and duration is long term.
ix. Forest Fire
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The indicators of fire hazards in the baseline information are vegetation, climate, and
settlement pattern including house types. The vegetation is mainly mixed hardwood forest and
presence of shrub land and ground vegetation is significant in the area. The settlement is in
cluster and houses are made of timber. There is fire hazard risk but it depends upon the
activities and their working area.
The presence of small settlement area along the right bank and forest patch at right bank
downstream stretch, the fire pass throughout the water body is not envisaged.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in duration.
Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment
The socioeconomic environmental issues of the project were studied in an exhaustive manner
during EIA study. The issues identified in the TOR were found to be the issues of concerns for
the project construction and operation.
Construction Stage
i. Acquisition of land and other private property the DKHP will acquire 14.8 ha of total land
which includes 3.25 ha of private land, ha of AC Forest Area and 2.15 ha of River and Flood
Plains area at different localities for the placement of project structure and facilities. The
different types of land proposed for the DKHP is shown in Table 51.
Table 51 Acquisition of Land of DKHP during construction phase
Land Types
S.N.
Cultivated Private River and Flood
ACA Forest Area Total
Land Plains Area
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
1 Headwork
2 Water Conveyance
Headrace Tunnel + - - - - -
Nashong-7,5 - 1.49 1.49
Adits
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
B Sub-Total - 1.6 -
0.25 1.2 3.1
5
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The project had already bought its land from the local people (thirteen households). The detail
of this is shown in Table 53.
Table 53 Loss of Land of Project Affected Families for the project
Land area (
S.N ha)
Project Component RM/ Ward No Owners Name
.
Khet Bari
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
No:9
SubTotal B 0.75
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
vii. Increased economic facilities
This brings positive impacts in the society so it is irrelevant from project point of view.
viii. Pressure on community infrastructures and resources
During construction phase, DKHP will have major impacts on Dudh ghatt to Milanchowk (16
km) earthen road starts from 250 m downstream from proposed powerhouse sites, foot trails
from Dudh ghatta to proposed Intake Site (Ramche8) (approx. 5.0 km), two suspension
bridges; one is located at Ramche8 and which is at the distance of 500 m from proposed intake
site and another is located at Imu7 which is 300 m above the confluence of Dudh Khola and
Mardi Khola and about 200 m downstream from the proposed powerhouse sites.
In road network, we expect a flow of about 20 vehicles /day during the period of construction
period. The movement of workforce in foot trails from Dudh ghatta to proposed Intake Site will
not be disturbed by the implementation of the project. Rather the project will enhance the
mobility of the local people by constructing the new access road. The two suspension bridges
will not be affected in construction as well as operation phase.
Other resource such as drinking water resources will have not have any impact due to
construction of DKHP information because of the sources of drinking water quiet far from the
project components.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short to long term in
duration.
ix. Impact due to conflict of interest
The influx of outside construction workers with different social and cultural background may
create tension and conflicts causing impact on existing law and order situation in the project
area. The antisocial activities such as alcoholism, gambling, prostitution and hooliganism may
provoke social disturbances.
The impact is of indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
xi. Local employment
The construction of DKHP will produce new job to the local community so it has no any
negative impacts from the project point of view.
xii. Issues on law and order
The influx of 180 outside construction workers with different social and cultural background
may create tension and conflicts causing impact on existing law and order situation in the
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
project area. The antisocial activities such as alcoholism, gambling, prostitution and
hooliganism may provoke social disturbances.
The impact is of indirect in nature, moderate in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
xiii. Issues related to gender and disadvantage groups
During project construction daily wages labor will be deployed for excavation, transportation of
construction materials and other construction related works. The contractor especially the
subcontractors may discriminate the women and disadvantage groups while hiring the
workers. In general, the employment opportunity will be more to men in comparison to women
in development projects implemented so far in Nepal and this trend may continue in this
project also.
The impact of the project construction is also expected on the poor and disadvantage people
who might be directly not affected by the project but affected in other ways such as price hike,
shortage of consumable goods, social inferiority and less opportunity of project related
benefits.
The impact is of indirect in nature, low in magnitude, site specific in extent and short term in
duration.
xiv. Issues of foot trails along canal alignment
The 5 km of foot trails from Dharapani, Nashoong RM to proposed intake site ward 6, Nashong
RM will have major concern during construction of canal alignment. But this is the foot trails
which will be further developed to access road by the DKHP. Hence, the issue related to foot
trails will be addressed.
xvi. Issues on houses and settlements near the penstock alignment
The penstock alignment is fixed in such a way that no any houses neither settlements will be
affected. Further, there will not be major blasting, use of heavy equipments that further
controls other constructioin related issues with in this alignment.
xvii. Impact on livelihood due to dependency in fisheries
The Dudh Khola is small runoff river. During the field visit, the study team found that the
local’s people livelihood was not affected by the declining of fishes from the Dudh Khola.
Further, the intake is design in such a way that fish can flow easily from the intake to
powerhouse. Hence, we can discard this issue from the study point of view.
Operation Stage
i. Decrease or withdrawal in economic activities
The project induced economic activities during the construction phase will come to an end
after the construction of the project. Significant numbers of workers will lose the project job
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
and only few about 25 staff will remain during the operation phase. The withdrawal of
economic activities will drastically reduce the demand for local agricultural, dairy and meat
products resulting reduced income of the local communities of the area. This boom and bust
effects of the project may also have some impact on the lifestyle of the local people in terms of
their income and expenditure patterns.
The impact is of indirect in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and short term in
duration.
ii. Occupational, health and safety hazards
Occupational Health and Safety aspect is one of the likely impacts to be experienced during the
operation and maintenance period of the project. Access to electricity may also bring some
hazard associated to electric shock. Similarly, lack of training on operation and maintenance
skill and unavailability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may also cause risks for
human live.
The impact is direct in nature, low in magnitude, local in extent and long term in duration.
iii. Reduction of agricultural land
The project will acquire 3.25 ha of private cultivated land (bari), 1.65 ha of Private Bari
permanently for the operation of the DKHP project. People normally cultivates paddy, wheat,
maize and millet in a year this shows the agricultural production losses by the project will be
3.06 Mt of paddy, 4.59 Mt. of wheat, 2.94 Mt of maize and 1.26 Mt of millet in a year in average
by the operation of the project. The detail production loss for agricultural production during
operation phase is shown in Table 55.
The impact is direct in nature, moderate in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and long
term in duration.
Table 55 Production loss for agricultural production during operation phase
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
iv. Sudden release of water downstream in the dewatered stretch on the people and wildlife
The sudden release of water from desanding basin flushing may sometimes hamper the local
people and livestock.
The impact is of indirect in nature, low in magnitude, site specific to local in extent and short
term in duration.
v. Issues arising due to Headrace canal and Penstock Alignment and project structures on
springs and water sources
There are no springs, neither any water sources where the intake sites, headpond area and
powerhouse sites are proposed. The headrace canal and penstock alignment don’t pass through
spring.
Some issues related to this will come in construction phase as we already discussed but in
opera tipon no any major concerned issues will be seen. Hence, this issue is relevant only in
construction phase. Also, for drinking water sources, these sources are in far distance from the
route of canal alignment so their will not be any long-term problem during operation phase
also.
vi. Dislocation / disturbance to foot trails along due to Headrace canal and penstock
alignment
The implementation of project will have no impact on existing access, foot trails and movement
of people during operation of the project. Hence, the movement of people will not be disturbed.
Rather the implementation of the project will enhance the local infrastructures.
This impact can be avoided from the mitigation point of view.
vii. Water Use Right
The Dudh Khola is not being used in drinking water supply schemes and irrigation purpose in
between the intake and powerhouse site as well as upstream of the intake site of the project.
But it is used for various household’s activities like bathing, washing and watering animal in
the stretch of proposed intake to powerhouse of the proposed project. Beside this, the
discharge from the project is not being used for watermill and any micro hydropower plant.
Existence of cremation sites are not recorded in dewatered zone of the proposed project. This
impact can be avoided from the mitigation point of view.
Issues raised during Public Hearing
Different issues were raised during Public hearing of DKHP. Some of the issues that may create
obstacles for construction and operation of project will be incorporated in the following
section:
i. Issues related to providing free electricity to Project Affected Wards and RM
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Local people have demanded to give free electricity from DKHP to affected wards and RM from
the project side.
Justification: This issue is irrelevant from the proponent side. The proponent is clear in this
matter that they are willing to provide free electricity in affected wards but not to the whole
RM. Other relevant issues raised by the local people during public hearing and focus group
discussion have been carefully followed during report preparation and proponent must follow
this during project construction and operation phase.
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6 ALTERNATIVE ANALYSIS
Consideration of alternatives in EIA compares "No Action" option with the implementation of
proposed action option. "No Action" option represents the scenario of present situation which
means the condition without any intervention. "With Action" means the condition with some
intervention in terms of implementation of proposed action. Therefore, the following
description is focused on the comparison of both the options for consideration in Dudh Khola
Hydropower Project.
As elaborated in the opening remarks, the various alternatives of electric power generation are
available and are being utilized all over the world depending upon the natural resource base of
the country in question. In the context of Nepal, the viability of alternative is related with
various aspects such as its resource base, technology at hand, capacity to handle tail end
pollution, and above all the economics and financial capacity. Among the above parameters for
energy project selection, the most important are resource availability in country and the
environmental effects of the selected projects which ultimately determines economical,
financial and sustainable capability of the project.
Hydropower does not involve fossil fuel burning and hence mitigates global warming. From the
environmental point of view, water-based energy generation may be the best feasible options
since it produces a very minor amount of air, water and soil pollution as compared to thermal
power plants. To generate electric power, thermal power plants utilize raw materials like coal,
oil, natural gas, biomass, waste, etc. Nepal lacks the resources needed for thermal power plants
like coal, oil, natural gas, etc. and needs to be imported at high price. In this situation, such
resources will be very expensive for power production. Biomass and waste are the other
potential sources that could be used for the generation of electricity in Nepal. However, the use
of biomass for the electricity generation is restricted by declining forest status and stringent
forest acts & regulations. Though the municipal waste and industrial waste could be the other
available options used for power generation, the volume of waste generated in Nepal is
insufficient enough to generate the calorific value required for electricity production, in turn, it
induce a vicious circle to obtain more waste for electricity production. Apart from these
constraints, the combustion process of coal, oil, natural gas, biomass, waste, etc. of thermal
power plants releases emissions such as carbon dioxides, sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, and
particulate emissions, besides thermal emission creating high consequence of environmental
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degradation. Thermal power plants are undesirable in the context of global warming as well.
Thus, the high cost of fuel & technology and environmental consequence reject thermal power
plant in Nepal.
Wind power plants are more beneficial than thermal power plants on environmental ground as
they don’t use fuel, and don’t emit air pollutants, greenhouse gases, or toxic wastes, and don’t
consume water or other scarce resources. However, the wind power plant requires regular
natural wind speed to be operated as reliable power supply system. The fluctuation in wind
speed from almost stagnant to very high speed in Nepal could prevent installation of wind
power plant at large scale for sustainable supply to meet national demand.
Although solar energy is effective on a small scale, it is not possible for large-scale development
purposes. The solar plant also has a number of disadvantages though being non-polluting
energy source. The limitations of solar plant are requirement of large area for energy collection,
high production cost, feasible for small scale application and unreliable source of continuous
energy supply. The solar energy is severely hampered in cloudy weather and rainy days
marking it as unreliable source of energy for uninterrupted supply. Solar battery used for solar
energy storage consists of hazardous substances that require proper disposal facilities. In this
backdrop, the solar energy is not considered as a suitable option to meet up the present energy
demand.
The atomic power requires high technology, sustainable atomic fuel supply, and has a risk of
radiation leakage to environment. Management of nuclear power plant including nuclear waste
management, control of thermal emissions requires very meticulous management system and
knowhow. Above all in the context of Nepal it is not an economically and environmentally
viable option.
Nepal is blessed with abundant water resources. The characteristics of the drainage network
and the available gradient make hydropower project most economical. Being a mountainous
country with deeply entrenched rivers with high gradients, the run off the river project is very
suitable in Nepal. As run off the river projects does not inundate large land area to cause
adverse land use and other socio-economic effects, they are environmentally least damaging to
the environment. For the above reasons, to meet the required energy needs and also for
commercial venture, hydropower projects are the best among other types of power alternative
projects in Nepal even if they have significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Another energy
option like biogas is popular in Terai and lower mid hills for producing energy required for
household cooking and lighting. However, biogas at any case cannot replace the commercial
energy value of hydropower projects.
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The merits of tunnel option compared to that of a pressure pipe option are as follows:
Long-term stability
Minimum land acquisition cost and reduced social problem
Reduced maintenance needs and more reliable operation
Less environment degradation
The demerits of pressure pipe option compared to that of tunnel option are as follows:
Increased environmental degradation
Increased maintenance cost
Additional cost of anchor & saddle blocks and expansion joints
Advanced technology is needed for fabrication, erection and joining the pipes
After due consideration to above mentioned merits and demerits in the specific context of Sagu
Khola Hydropower Project, comparative cost of different headrace options calculated, it has
been concluded to construct 610 m long RCC low pressure conduit and 3,760 m long headrace
tunnel followed by nearly 1,200 m long penstock pipe.
Electricity is necessary for all round economic development in the process of modernization of
the country. At present the per capita consumption of electricity in Nepal is quite low where
only 15 percent of the Nepalese people have an access to electricity. Though the demand is
growing, country's economy and general public are suffering from severe shortage of electricity
supply. The present-day supply at present of 300 MW is far from adequate and an additional of
1200 MW is required to meet the domestic consumption of electricity by the year 2015 in
Nepal.
An addition of 65 MW of electricity is to be generated with the implementation of Dudh Khola
Hydropower Project which will have a significant effect to the national grid of Nepal. The
implementation of "No Action" option in regard to DKHP will have a series of negative impacts
in the economy of Manang/Nashong rural municipality region of Nepal in particular, and in
national economy in general. Therefore, the shortage of electricity which will result from not
implementing DKHP will have to be met either by importing electricity or establishing thermal
power plants. Importing energy from India will not be an easy task as it is very expensive and
North India itself is suffering from power shortage. Thermal power is not a feasible option
because Nepal will have to import fuel to run such a plant. In addition, thermal power
generates large amount of pollution.
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Recently, hydropower potential of Nepal has become more important and attractive in terms of
its emitting of low quantity Green House Gas (GHG) in comparison to the electricity produced
through thermal power, and burning of coal. India and China, the two neighboring countries of
Nepal are generating a huge amount of electricity through burning of fossil fuel and as a
byproduct. They are producing a substantial amount of GHG, contributing to global warming
and ozone layer depletion. In future the generation of hydroelectric power in Nepal in large
quantity can be expected to export to China and India which will substitute the burning of
fossil fuel and help reducing GHG emission. Substitution of electricity generated through
burning of fossil fuel by electricity generated through hydropower would enable China and
India to comply with Koyto Convention on reducing the emission of ozone depleting gas.
According to the policy of NEA, 65 percent of the total revenue generated by selling the
electricity is to be utilized for rural electrification and social upliftment programs of the project
area. However, if DKHP is not implemented then such opportunities of development, for local
areas, will not be available. "No implementation of DKHP will also result in the loss of all other
beneficial impacts including employment and local development. The only advantage of "No
Action" option is the avoidance of negative impacts as outlined in Chapter (5), and most of
these impacts are not very significant for they are either sitespecific or local. The disadvantages
of "action option" are out weighted by the advantages of the implementation of DKHP.
For Nepal, there are a few alternatives that exist as an alternative to hydropower development.
Although, fuelwood and biomass are currently supplying about 90 percent of Nepal's energy
needs, it is widely acknowledged that excessive utilization of country's limited forest resources
in unsustainable, and the growth in energy demand can not be met by the expansion of these
resources. The use of solar power and biogas can be significantly expanded but they are still
unable to satisfy all the country's energy demand. Therefore, Hydropower is a clean form of
renewable energy resources. The geographical condition of Nepal generously favors the
implementation of cost effective hydropower schemes as hydropower is a most viable option of
meeting present and future demands of electricity.
Although, Nepal has potentials for small and large hydropower schemes, only a few schemes
have been studied to the feasibility level or beyond at present. As a result, there are only few
projects that can be implemented immediately. Many large scale projects have been studied to
the prefeasibility and feasibility stages and are in the process of finalization. The process of
implementing these projects includes preparation of detailed designs, and securing financial
support for construction and is very time consuming. Therefore, small to medium hydropower
projects are most viable option to meet the demands of Nepal's present energy needs.
Furthermore, the development of small to medium size hydropower project has the advantage
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of being environment friendly, using maximum local human resources, spreading development
activities to many parts of the country and reducing dependency on one or few large projects.
It can thus be concluded that there are a very few alternatives that can match the advantages
provided by small scale runoff the river project like Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (DKHP).
Furthermore, DKHP is being strategically important and the implementation of this project
may help in reducing the regional disparity, provide opportunities for further development of
region such as industrialization and employment opportunities etc. The implementation of this
project would also help people to boost their economy in particular and would add a
substantial amount of energy to the national grid and in general help strengthening of national
economy.
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more expensive and also entails the problems of dumping of large amount of muck resulting in
more environmental problems.
Access/Approach Road
There exists an alternative route to the proposed access road at the right bank of Dudh Khola,
which runs along the major settlements of the project such as Sidhin8, Ghipli8 and Ramche8.
In order to avoid and minimize possible loss of vegetation cover, and maintain the status of
habi tat/species diversity at Annapurna Conservation Area, the consideration of this
alternative route will be appropriate. This alternative alignment features some advantages such
as low vegetation cover, low biodiversity, less to none cases of landslide/landslip occurrence,
geologically more stable watershed and above all touch the major settlements with access
rioad. However, economically it may cost a construction of extra two motorable bridges and
compensation of private ownership lands.
Powerhouse Site
The proposed location of powerhouse is best suitable for the right bank of Dudh Khola near
Nashong 5. It is located at the private land and decreases further chance of degrading
/reducing near by forest area of ACA.
Staff Quarter Site
The proposed staff quarter site, will be at intake site and powerhouse site area. In intake site
AC FA is proposed while in powerhouse site private khet land is proposed. The cultivated
terraced land adjacent to the proposed powerhouse site is more suitable for staff quarter
construction. In this case, the adjoining hill is relatively stable with no fresh landslides and
issue of loss of biodiversity will be least. This will also add convenience for monitoring of power
production and transmission during the operation phase. The preferred criteria of selecting
suitable alternative will include, sites having rock/ geological stability, less prone to land slide
hazard, open barren area with low forest cover and cultivated lands and alignment of access
road to impart maximum socioeconomic benefits and minimum adverse environmental
impacts.
No forest Option
For the RoR projects, the existing topographic conditions and drainage network are
detrimental factor in locating the project diversion structures, layout of the water conveyance,
and powerhouse. Within the constraints, efforts were made to locate the dam, powerhouse to
minimize the loss of forested land.
Left bank option for water conveyance is more suitable due to suitable location of powerhouse
is also in the same bank. Aligning the water conveyance medium along right bank of Dudh
Khola would lead to the minimum loss of vegetation during the construction.
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Aligning the access road would lead the fringe project structure along the both banks.
Therefore, construction of access road is also best suitable along the right bank of Dudh Khola.
Selection of spoil disposal sites, quarry area has given due recognition to minimize the forested
land area. The spoil disposal sites are located in private land and barren forest area having low
vegetation cover forming part of barren rocky cliffs even if they are at community forest.
Operation Procedure
Operation of the project comprises of semiautomatic control system. A team of qualified staff
will run the project and adverse impact is anticipated to the local population or environment. It
would rather benefit the local community through increased employment opportunities,
communication facilities and supply for rural electricity. The project will be operated as per
requirement of INPS.
Acceptability of Risks during Project Implementation
The project layout planning has avoided the geologically vulnerable area for its various
structures and support facilities. The dam and powerhouse is designed with a maximum
allowable safety net to avoid the risk of dam and powerhouse structure failure. While designing
the dam, risk of failure and downstream affect has been given the highest priority. As the
project site lies in the potential seismic belt of Himalaya, the design has considered the seismic
failure risk also into consideration in its design.
Dam design is made on the basis of 25 years maximum flood in the dry season. The Tunnel
diameter, and construction strategy for example blasting, mocking, placing of support
structures, tunnel lining etc. have given due consideration for risk minimization. Fencing
provisions of vulnerable work sites are the result of the various alternative analyses to
minimize the risk to acceptable level during project implementation and operation.
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7 MITIGATION MEASURES
Adverse and beneficial impacts that are not identified or permitted during the study, if later
discovered during the construction and operation phases will be mitigated or enhanced by the
proponent. All the mitigation and enhancement measures proposed in the EIA report has come
as commitment from the proponents’ side.
Every project has its beneficial as well as adverse impacts on environment and society. The
selection of right mitigation measures may decrease its adverse impacts and the properly
planned management may augment and enhance the benefit improving the living condition of
whole society. This section of the report gives possible augmentation measures to enhance the
benefit.
Construction Stage
i. Employment opportunity to local people
> The first priority will be given to the Project Affected Family (PAFs) they are 33 in numbers
and local people accordingly who want to work in the project. At least one member of PAFs will
be employed in the project construction period. The employment will increase the income level
of the people.
> As project structure mostly lies in Nashong rural municipality; this is the most affected
rural municipality by the project. The next priority for the employment will be given to the
people of neighboring rural municipalities.
> The Project will include a binding clause in the contractor's agreement to give first priority
to them while hiring both skilled and unskilled labor forces and to give daily wages or monthly
wages equal to the district official rates. The project information will be disseminated through
pamphlets and other printed materials time to time. NRs 1,50,000 have been allocated for this
purpose.
ii. Increase in local skills in the relevant areas
The Project will launch training programs in specialized areas such as electromechanical works
of hydropower, house wiring and maintenance, road slope stabilization, spoil handling etc.
First priority will be given for the project affected people and local people to the extent they are
interested to get involved in construction activities. The Project has planned to trained more
than 15 local people in the hydropower construction related skills and the project has been
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allocated NRs 100,000 for the construction skill training. Skill training related to the
construction related works of the project will be carried out as a part of Environmental
Enhancement Program and will be carried out prior to construction works start.
iii. Enhance the economic opportunities (business, rental of houses and its impact on local
economy)
The Project will disseminate information regarding its demand local goods and agricultural
production. The Project will designate certain places, within the project area, for the operation
of tea stalls and grocery shops for selling only local products such as vegetables, rice, pulses,
eggs, milks, ghee, chicken, mutton etc. to the extent possible. The Project will encourage its
staff and construction workers to purchase local products in order to uplift the economic
condition of local farmers.
iv. Community development support programme in the project area
The Project will allocate certain fund for training of community’s local farmers and traders in
modern techniques of cash crop and livestock productions and in small enterprise
development activities suitable to fulfill likely demands from the work force. The experts from
concerned field will provide such trainings. Local people of Nashong RM will be encouraged to
take this types of training especially focus to marginalized groups, Dalits, women, Janajati,
indigenous groups etc. Such trainings people will be made aware to take benefit from the
project, project activities, and easy access to the area due to project related works, upgrading of
the access roads etc. These types of training will be once in the beginning of construction
phase. The project has been allocated NRs 10,00,000 for the income generating trainings.
Operation Phase
i. Promote Employment Opportunity to Local People
During the operation and maintenance phase, for the smooth operation of the project
components such as equipment, tailrace, headpond and powerhouse require about 15
permanent posts. Local people will be recruited for administrative and technical works
according to their qualifications and skills. Employment emphasis to the local people especially
PAFs will be given. These will give permanent income source to some of the local people. The
allocated amount for this purpose is NRs 15,00,000.
ii. Distribution of royalty for local development
The project has ensured the distribution of royalty for local development. The main concerned
will be for the equal distribution of the royalty in the RM.
iii. Retaining national expertise skills and transfer of technology
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The skilled manpower of the construction phase can work to the other projects of similar
nature. This will increase the national expertise and the knowledge gained during the
construction phase will transfer to the other parts of the country or region also. Thus, in
general the technical skill and knowledge will help to the development of the country.
iv. Improve health and sanitation
The establishment as well as standardization of health institution helps local people to improve
their health institution. Health and sanitation training to workers during construction phase
regarding occupational health to workforce further increase the health and sanitation status of
local people and the project area. In addition, project will provide training to the local person
that helps them to maintain good sanitation and improve better environment. The allocated
fund for this will be NRs 12,00,000.
v. Local area development and mainstreaming to the national economic activities
Under the corporate social responsibility DKHP has come out with numerous environmental
enhancement measures. Such measures will support to social institutions of the area. In
addition, support to social infrastructures will help to interact with center. Further increased
accessibility, increased tourism and other benefit from the project will help the area to interlink
with the national economic activities in better way.
vi. Tourism opportunities due to increased accessibility and project
Mustang district is already recognized for the tourist destination. The increased accessibility
helps tourist to reach the place more easily. After the establishment of DKHP, many numbers
of students and visitors is envisaged to visit the area annually. This will create the local people
for the tourism related business opportunities. Thus, it will focus for establishment of more
hotel and restaurant in this area and also encourage students and visitors to visit in this area.
vii. Rural electrification opportunities via national grid
Project area is already connected with the national grid. Therefore, due to DKHP operation
connection with national grid is not envisaged. However, erratic supply of electricity to the
local area will be minimized and flow of electricity in national grid will be increased. The
project will ensure the regular supply of electricity to the project rural municipality.
viii. Increase awareness to ACA official for the natural resource management
The project will manage different awareness programme in coordination with ACA officials for
the natural resource management. The awareness training will be according to the advice of the
ACA officials and cover the 5 ACA official members and 20 local people working in a
subcommittee of ACA from Nashong rural municipality. These 20 local people will be selected
by local community. Natural resource management experts or Environmentalist will provide
required training to them. Proponent itself will hire the freelancer expert to conduct awareness
training. It will be twice a year for two years. The allocated fund for this will be 18,00,000 NRs.
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This fund will be used to enhance the conservation related activities in Nashong rural
municipality.
ix. Awareness programme for workers
The project will allocate some awareness programmes for the workers that will be helpful to
upgrade their technical skills, to increase their social harmony in workers’s society, to increase
the level of knowledge for understanding safety and good environment etc.
x. Protection to climate change reducing the greenhouse gases emission
The project helps to protect forest from deforestation, after the production of electricity; people
may develop the habit of using rice cooker, heater that helps local people to save firewood.
Better access road also might help in to bring LPG dealer for the locals and thus furthering the
conservation of forests. Burning of firewood add greenhouse gases in the climate thus reducing
firewood helps to protect climate change.
The beneficial vs enhancement measures for DKHP are shown in Table 56.
Table 56 Beneficial Vs Enhancement Measures for DKHP
2 Increase in local skills in the affected Project will launch training programs in
RM specialized areas
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Construction Stage
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Operation Phase
Mitigation Measures
The report has tried to identify impacts to the extent possible and proposed mitigation
measures to each of the identified impacts. In addition, if there will have additional impacts or
damages due to the project activities, the project will mitigate and/or compensate accordingly
to the present legislation of the country.
Physical and Chemical Environment
Construction Phase
i. Land Use Change
Change in land use is the major significant impact of the project. The current land will be
converted to the built-up structure. The project will require 14.8 ha of land in total during the
construction phase. To minimize the impact permanent land acquisition will be minimized as
far as possible. The permanent structures like, head works, powerhouse, penstock alignment
permanent work camp site, project office and the access road will require all permanent land.
To these structures also, less productivity will be acquired as far as possible. Area required for
the other project activities and purpose such as contractor camp, labor camp, stock+pile area
for the construction materials, borrow area etc. will be taken on lease. The leased land will be
returned to the owner after the proper treatment/rehabilitation work. Most of the proposed
road alignment passes through less fertile land. All the spoil coming from the slope cutting will
be used in the landfill site.
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limited to these AC Forest Areas only whereas for powerhouse site, the stockpiling of
construction materials will be limited to Private Khet only.
Terms and condition will be enlisted in contract agreement with the civil contractor to
minimize the impact. The leased land used for stockpiling will be restored into original shape
to the extent possible.
vii. Solid waste Management generated from Camps/labors
Solid waste generated from the camp site will be collected in a safe location; segregated and
degradable waste will be made compost and handed over to the local farmers properly. Non
degradable wastes e.g. empty cement bags and containers, rejected materials, plastic, wooden
planks, drums etc. will be collected and recycled or reused and later it will be kept in safe
location. In case of no recycling, it will be stored out and kept separated instead of throwing
haphazardly elsewhere. Some material (cement bag, plastic drum etc) is proposed to sell at
local market while others (waste oil, lubricants and chemicals) will be reused or recycled or
disposed and later managed as per the suggestion of Environmentalist hired by the project.
Construction work forces induced liquid waste will be managed by use of soak pits and septic
tanks at safe distance from water bodies’ i.e more than 300 m. The open burning of
biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes is completely prohibited from the management
point of view.
viii. Top Soil Management
The importance of top soil for agriculture and forestry purpose cannot be overstressed.
Deposition of essential mineral such as Nitrogen, Potash and Phosphorus in the alluvium
consolidated by hundreds of years of geological process is a very important natural resource
and mustn’t be eroded away.
The top soil from the excavated places especially from temporary land will be collected in
permanent cultivated land near intake site of Tilche and near powerhouse of Dharapani and
reused after the completion of project work. The topsoil will be covered by plastic and
stockpiled over a drained area. To reduce siltation problem, the soil conservation activities will
also be implemented as per needed. Similarly, to minimize the soil erosion, site clearance will
be minimized. Gully controls, terraces formation and extensive vegetation of local species are
the preferred activities using local materials i.e. stones, bamboos, ropes and jute bags filled
with sand. In limited areas, gabion wires will be used for check dam construction purpose.
Replacement of top soil will be made at the site of same land clearance, at the top of muck
disposal area and plantation will be made. Such sites will be then treated by bioengineering
and plantation.
xi. Spoils Disposal
The project has mostly balanced cut and fill activities. During the entire construction process
about 573,985 m3 muck will be generated. Among the muck and spoil thus generated about
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30,000 m3 is top soil and rest is muck which will not have direct use as construction materials.
However, muck is required in headworks area for the land management to make it flat area. In
headworks among the muck generated about 60,000 m3 muck will be used for the land
management. Along the penstock alignment (917.61 m) filling is required in many sections.
On the other hand along the internal access road from Tilche to adit canal i.e. about 2,300 m3
muck will be used as filling materials. Thus, about 4,000 m3 spoil needs to be disposed from
the project. For, this about 1 ha of forest land at intake site and 2.5 ha of grassland at
powerhouse site has been allocated for the safe disposal of the muck generated from the
project. In general, the impact due to muck disposal in this project minimum considering the
project of similar sizes
The disposal sites are proposed in such a location that these sites are safe from landslides, and
other instabilities such as muck flow into the river or water bodies are strictly can be managed.
Furthermore the total disposable volume being low the problem is not serious in case of this
project particularly.
Prior to the disposal of muck dry gabion wall will be erected on the stream side or downhill at
headwork area. The thickness of muck disposal at powerhouse site will not exceed 7 m could be
applicable to all sites. Disposal of muck at other place than designated will be strictly
prohibited. The spoil disposal will not be thrown in the river; rather it will be safely deposited
in the stream gullies, ravines, depression and flood plains. The surface and slope of the
disposal area will have bioengineering treatment. The leased area will be properly levels and
finished for the reuse.
xii. Toxic and Hazardous Waste and other chemicals management
Toxic, Hazardous and Other chemicals waste will be safely handled as per the GoN Solid Waste
Management Act, 2068 (2011), National Health Care and Waste Management Guidelines, 2059
(2002). The following works will be carried out to minimize the impact due to toxic and
hazardous waste:
Concrete structures will be constructed around the oil and grease holding structure. Where oil
water contamination is possible, water will be passed through an oil water separator prior to
being discharged to the river.
All grease and mobile 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 and will be bonded with the contractor clause.
All empty containers of grease, mobile, and toxic chemicals will be punctured and stored in a
safe place under the shade. The contractor will be made responsible for this.
The unused chemicals, spent mobile, grease etc. will discharged only with the approval of the
project environmental officer approval and recommendation. The contractor will be made
responsible for this through contractual clauses.
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The petroleum bunkers are placed in a separate area in a concrete bonded area with a facility of
oil and grease separator. The contractor will be made responsible for this.
The wastewater from the mechanical yards is collected in a separate area. The water is treated
for the oil and grease and then released to the water bodies. The contractor will be made
responsible for the required treatment arrangements.
xiii. Air Quality
The following mitigation measures will be implemented to minimize the impacts on air quality:
Water spraying will be carried out in all the gravel and earthen roads two times in a day for
nine months in one year.
All vehicles belonging to the project i.e. consultants, owner, contractors, vendors will comply
national emission standards and regular (monthly) check up for maintenance of all vehicles
will be carried out every 3000 km.
Use of breathing mask and earplugs by the construction workers in the dust prone areas such
as crushing plant, batching plant, rock drilling areas etc. will be made compulsory.
Preventive measures will be taken to minimize the emission of dust from the dust prone area
such as crushing plants, batching plants etc. by spraying water or maintaining moisturization
in construction materials.
Road which are used by heavy vehicles will be black topped.
Enough nos. of tree will be planted near the campsite and office work as dust screens or
arrester. The average distance between the trees will be 5.0 m.
xiv. Water Quality
incinerated. Bathing, cloth washing, Water supplies to all camps for human use will be
disinfected through the process of filtration and chlorination. Water thus supplied should meet
the WHO guidelines with aspect to total dissolved solids, sulfur, sodium, potash etc.
All effluent discharges will be treated before discharging into the river or other water source.
Waste liquid from the batching plant and vehicle wash will be diverted to a settling basin for
treatment prior to discharge to the natural stream/river. The parameters that needs to be
controlled in the waste water before discharged into the natural surface discharge are coliform,
pH, ammonia and nitrate.
All solid and liquid wastages e.g. toxic chemicals, grease, oils, acids and other materials,
generated in the project will be disposed off in the land fill site. The contractor will identify the
landfill site in the early stages of project implementation
During the contractor bid preparation, the construction contractor will be made obligatory to
develop a waste management plan in which use, storage and disposal of toxic, solid and
sanitary waste and materials will be included. The storage sites will be enclosed by dikes to
contain the entire capacity of tanks with sufficient free board to prevent over flow. The storage
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area will be lined to reduce potential surface and ground water pollution in the event of spill.
The used oil and lubricants will be collected regularly into drums/barrels or tanks. The settling
basin should be used to collect the slurry for settling the heavy particles and other material,
which can be recycled or defecating and urinating in the river will be strictly prohibited to
project’s work force.
xv. Noise Level
The construction area will be fenced.
Ear guards will be provided to the construction workers in the noise prone areas. An estimated
400 pairs of ear guards would be required in the project.
Large noise producing engines such as air compressors will be fitted with noise reducing
mechanisms.
All vehicles in the construction area will be maintained regularly.
Surface blasting activities will be carried out at the day time only
Ventilators along the alignments will be fitted with the noise soaking device.
xvi. Operation of Quarry Sites
After the quarrying of construction materials land will be rehabilitate at the natural conditions.
Compressor will be used to stabilize the non-compact earthen materials. Gabion walls will be
constructed to check the mass flow from the uphill of Quarry site A. The quarried sites will be
revalidated where possible. To minimize the impact of quarrying activity following will be
done:
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.
River flood plain quarrying will be carried out only in the dry season i.e from November
through May only.
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.
Masonry wall will be constructed to minimize the aesthetic aspect from the main access roads.
Preferably, less than 45° slopes will be maintained at the quarry sites.
Drained water will be discharged into the river after treatment.
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The muck from quarry sites will not be deposited into the river. The muck will be dumped in
the landfill areas.
Aggregates will be used crushing the rocks and rock fragments generated during excavation.
xvi. Change in River Morphology
All the activities within the riverbed will be planned properly during the construction stage.
The contractor will be allowed to take out materials from the riverbed from the excavation of
the weir foundation. Proper engineering design for sediment flushing will be done and
downstream protection by cut off wall and launching apron shall be design for minimizing the
adverse impact in the river morphology. The riverbed will be excavated only in the necessary
areas specified by the design drawings.
xvii. Impact on natural drainage, springs due to water conveyances
Water Conveyance and Penstock pipe will be anchored well so that impact on natural drainage
will be not anticipated in future. Along the penstock alignment, natural flow of water will be
maintained in a regular basis. If blocked by any reason, along the blocked location drainage
and safe handling of natural flow will be maintained. Such site will be further trained with
bioengineering, concrete retaining so that erosion from such site will be controlled. The
headrace canal will not have any impact on this due to underground structure will be made in
the stable geographic area.
xviii. Construction Yard
Since the area is limited, as far as possible construction yard of Powerhouse site will be used
more.
Base of construction yard will be PCC with proper drainage management provided with grit
chamber.
Yard will be fenced so that outsider couldn’t go easily with in the construction premises.
Drainage system will be maintained and treated with Narkat plant that will be planted before
the construction work starts so that the waste pollution created at yard won’t go directly to the
water bodies.
The yard will be constructing in specified location as in construction planning of EIA report.
The yard will be maintained regularly to reduce the pollution that could be generated from.
The cost required for the mitigation of impacts generated from the yard area has been
incorporated in the civil cost of the project. During the preparation of contract bid for civil
construction work, the provision will be made mandatory.
xix. Stockpiling of Construction materials
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The project proponent will make necessary arrangement for the proper storage and handling of
construction material to avoid environmental nuisance. Proper storage site will be managed for
the construction materials near to the construction site with making a safe house.
The stockpiling of construction material will be carried out in barren land or unused land to
prevent any impact on agricultural land and forest. If stockpiling were to be carried out in
private lands that are not compensated, the project would take the permission of land owner
and compensate for economic loss as well. This sort of terms and condition will be enlisted in
contract agreement. The leased land used for stockpiling will be restored into original shape to
the extent possible.
As far possible, the stockpiling of construction material will be carried out in temporarily
leased land which will be less productive. As much as low impact will be made on agriculture
production and soil pollution due to stockpiling of construction materials. The project will
compensate for such temporarily acquired land on the basis of current production ratio. After
the completion of project, the land will be evacuated and changed to the previous condition
and will be returned. This sort of terms and condition will be enlisted in contract agreement
with the land owner. The leased land used for stockpiling will be restored into original shape to
the extent possible.
The cost required for the mitigation of impacts generated from the stockpiling activities and
stockpiling area has been incorporated in the civil cost of the project. During the preparation of
contract bid for civil construction work, the provision will be made mandatory.
For the storage of petrochemical, the floor will be concrete and brims will be made to avoid the
overflow impact. Precaution and warning signs and firefighting equipment will be placed at the
storage areas. The private land to be used for the storage facilities will be compensated and
rehabilitated to its natural condition prior to return to the respective land owners. The
government land will be rehabilitated.
xx. Batching and Aggregate plants
The water discharged from batching and aggregate washing plant will be collected in settling
tanks/ponds at a suitable location for sedimentation and treatment. Plant species like Narkat
will be grown to soak such waste water. After the pure distillation only, the water will be
relleased to the nearest water bodies. The contractor will be made responsible for the required
treatment arrangements through contractual clauses.
The cost required for the mitigation of impacts generated from the batching and aggregate
plants area has been incorporated in the civil cost of the project. During the preparation of
contract bid for civil construction work, the provision will be made mandatory.
xxi. Seismicity Impact to the project
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No mitigation measures are proposed during construction phase for seismicity impact. Since
the planning phase, design phase and construction phase seismicity issue will be incorporated
in design of project and strength of project component will be maintained.
xxii. Dewatered Zone Impact
During the construction of headworks and operation of quarry site minimum time will be used.
Diversion work will be complete in short time as possible. The turbidity impact to downstream
will be minimized applying all the specified mitigation measures.
xxiii. Crusher Operation Impact
The sludge contained water will be from crusher plant will be collected in settling tanks/ponds
at a suitable location for sedimentation and treatment. Plant species like Narkat will be grown
to sock such waste water. After the pure distillation only, the water will be released to the Dudh
Khola. The contractor will be made responsible for the required treatment arrangements
through contractual clauses. Preventive measures will be taken to minimize the emission of
dust from the crushing plants by spraying water or maintaining moisture in construction
materials.
Operation Stage
After construction, the project enters operation and maintenance stage and power is regularly
generated from the powerhouse. During this stage, the following impacts are likely to occur:
Change in Hydrology and Sedimentation
The impact is residual in nature and could not be mitigated. To maintain and support to the
hydrology additional watershed management activities will be carried out. Watershed
management activity will be carried out as a part of environmental enhancement program.
The reservoir sedimentation is mainly contributed by the soil and rock in the catchments area.
Considering the risk associated with sediment flow the watershed protection works of the
Dudh Khola could be taken. Even if, the catchment conservation program will be launched, the
impact couldn’t be mitigated completely. The impact is residual in nature. Regular clearance of
the reservoir dam will be carried out during the operation phase. Thus, collected sediment will
be put safely.
Watershed management program will support to minimize the sedimentation rate during the
rainy season. To minimize the impact on microclimate mandatory release of 15% of average
monthly flow from the weir axis will be made. Conservation awareness programs to conserve
the micro watershed will be carried out so that the discharge from such springs will be
permanent and contribute to reduce the microclimatic impact of Dudh Khola.
ii. River flow and River Morphology
The project will release min. 15% of monthly flow will be released which will be enough for
bathing, washing and downstream of headworks. A system will be developed for warning or
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informing people before sudden release of water downstream like siren. Awareness program
will be conducted to educate local people about the importance of siren warning system,
possibilities of accidents and other possible impacts. However, the impact on river flow and
morphology is a residual impact after the diversion of the project and couldn’t be mitigated
completely.
iii. Scouring of river bed and river bank erosion
The anticipated impact on river bed of Dudh Khola bank erosion is unavoidable. No precise
mitigation measures have been proposed for this impact. However, along the vulnerable sites
of the stretch, gabion walls and bioengineering will be erected. The cost associated with the
erection of gabion walls at vulnerable places of the dewatered stretch has been included in the
project cost.
iv. Possible Slope Failure and Damage to the Project Structure
Annual monitoring of slope stability will be carried out along the water way, headworks and
powerhouse area. The vulnerable slopes which will have direct impact on the project operation
will be treated. Bioengineering works and concrete structures will be set up to stabilize the
landslide just upstream of the weir site for the landslide prone area.
v. Noise Pollution at Powerhouse
The noise produced from the powerhouse during the operation of the project will be reduced by
installing sound proof and noise acoustic system in powerhouse.
vi. Water Pollution
Water pollution during operation phase is envisaged due to continuous decanter
flushing/trapped gravel. This is a residual impact, but the impact will be minimized by
constructing a ditch to collect the sand and aggregate before reaching to the stream thus
reducing sand and aggregates to reach into the Dudh Khola. Further, the washing of vehicles in
Dudh Khola and leakage of liquid toxic chemicals from operating machines into Dudh Khola
will be completely prohibited.
vii. Possible Damage to Power Generation Turbines due to Sand Particles
Regular efficient flushing/trapping of sediments from settling basin will be carried out
periodically and regular maintenance of the equipments will be carried out to avoid the serious
damage to the plant.
viii. Leakage of Oil grease and other Chemicals
During the operation phase leakage of chemicals, oils, grease is most likely in powerhouse area
during the maintenance of powerhouse mechanical components. There is most likely pollution
in the Dudh Khola due to leakage of oil and chemicals. To minimize the impact, during the
maintenance period chemical socking materials will be put at the ground and then later such
used materials will be safely disposed or buried.
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ix. Requirement to Maintain Minimum Flow at the Downstream of the Weir Site
A minimum flow of 15% of monthly flow will be released from the weir site to the downstream
for aquatic life, fishes and for irrigation purpose. General passage to the aquatic animals will be
made at weir axis.
xi. Water Diversion and Change in Water Regime
Due to the diversion of water in to the intake, the water regime at the downstream of the weir
will be changed. To minimize the impact, 15% of average monthly flow of Dudh Khola will be
released. There is no Immediate downstream additional flow will be added in dewatered zone
of Dudh Khola during dry season.
xii. Seismicity
No mitigation measures are proposed for seismicity impact. Since the planning phase, design
phase and construction phase seismicity issue will be incorporated in design of project and
strength of project component will be maintained.
Biological Environment
Project impacts on Biological environment are discussed in Chapter VI, section 6.4. In this
section pragmatic mitigation measures are described to avoid, minimize or compensate the
perceived impacts to acceptable levels. Table 7.7 summarizes the mitigation measures with
respective issues, and impacts in a matrix form to implement during the project
preconstruction, construction and operation periods.
The major environmental concern for the biological environment is the influence of the project
workforce and the allied people influx in the construction sites located close or adjacent to the
ACA. The other issue of concern is the loss of the forest area and standing forest. Though the
quality of standing forest outside ACA is not good, however, it is a resource base of the project
area.
Construction Stage
i. Loss of Forest and Vegetation
Efforts have been made to minimize the forest area and vegetation loss while planning the
project structures and facilities. However, avoidance of the forested areas and vegetation is not
possible due to the project key structural locations determined by geology and other design
parameters. The loss of the forested area and vegetation by the project structures and facilities
is unavoidable. However, to minimize the loss of forest area and vegetation following
mitigation measures will be implemented in the Project affected wards of rural municipality.
Compensatory afforestation, minimum site clearance by stripping and removal of trees only in
necessary areas will be focused by the project. The Proponent will also implement
compensatory measure for this loss. Based on the government's recent policy decision of 1:2
(i.e., plantation of 25 trees for each tree felled down for hydroelectric project, and management
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of plantation area for 5 years in this own cost and handover the plantation forests to the
community or the local forest office), at appropriate places in and around the Project area and
manage for 5 years in its own cost. With due consideration on possible survival rate of the
sapling to be planted, the Project will allocate necessary budget for replanting of necessary
seedlings.
As per the new policy of GoN, the proponent shall provide the replacement of the government
land that would be permanently used by the project. Project will be responsible to obey the
government rules.
Lease Compensation to the Forest Land Area: The project will allocate the budget to
compensate the used land of community forest.
Both permanent and temporary use of community forest land will be compensated until the
project will use these lands. Temporarily used community forest land will be also compensated.
The community will be encouraged to use the compensated amount for the further
strengthening of respective community forest.
Clearing of the forest vegetation and stockpiling the vegetation products before handover;
The standing forest resources such as timber, firewood, litter, fodder etc. has high value.
Haphazard clearance and lack of collection will make the cleared resources valueless to the
users and owners. Therefore, the project will clear the forest and stockpile the materials as per
the guideline of Forest Produces Collection, Sale and Distribution Guidelines, (1998) and will
be handed over to the respective community forest.
Cost has been allocated for the compensation of the lost pole, timber, firewood, and fodder.
The amount will be compensated to the respective Forest Conservation Committee (ACA).
Clearing of the forest vegetation will be done as to the requirement of project structures and
facilities only. Most of the project components are planned underground. So, within the
required community forest land, all the forest area as stated will not be cleared.
Technical and Financial assistance to the Affected Forest Conservation committee and ACA;
The User groups of the affected forest patch and ACA will be provided technical assistance for
the management of the forests. Financial assistance for NTFPs and plantation of local species
in the degraded forest area will be provided to upgrade the economic conditions of the user
groups and improve the ecological status of the existing forest areas under the group holding
Rare/Endangered/Endemic Plant.
Necessary budget for developing such site will be allocated by the Project. Efforts will also be
made to plant saplings in the core Project area. After 5 years, the project will continue to
manage it if it is within the project area. However, the plantation area outside the core Project
area will be handed over to the community or ACA.
ii. Loss of forest and Vegetation Due to Construction of Access Road
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Similar to the mitigation measures proposed in subsection 7.2.2.1 under Construction Stage
impact on Loss of Forest and Vegetation compensation to lost forest, vegetation will be carried
out. The loss has been calculated together as internal access road, quarry sites, batching areas,
and other major components are same hydropower components.
iii. Loss of Forest/ACA Area
For the loss of timber and fodder in the forests of ACA, the user groups (Forest Conservation
Sub Committee of Nashong rural municipality will be compensated terms of wood volume, fuel
wood and fodder.
Existing ACA policies and rules will be fully obeyed during the compensation process.
The land requirement from the ACA will be acquired following the prevailing laws, rules, of
forest section. Guidelines for handing over the forest area for the other purpose 2063 (2007)
will be followed. Furthermore, guidelines for the physical infrastructure development and
operation in the protected areas 2065 (2008) will be followed. The forest user groups will be
assisted for forestry enhancement programs. The cost for technical and financial assistance to
lease hold and community forest user groups above already incorporates the costs.
iv. Increase in demand of Firewood and Timber
In order to minimize the need of forest products central dining facility for the work force is
proposed. This will be run by the sub contractor and kerosene or LP gas will be used to meet its
fuel requirements. During the construction of temporary and permanent housing facilities and
other structures the use of timber will be minimized and the use of other construction
materials will be encouraged. Due priority will be given to local people so as to avoid building
of more huts and influx of labor force from outside.
Following measures will be carried out to minimize the impact:
Preference to the local for project employment so that no additional pressure of outsider to the
natural resource of local area could be anticipated.
Provision of kerosene/LP Gas to the workforce for cooking so that demand of firewood will be
reduced /minimize
Provision for camp lodging to the outside workforce with a common LPG cooking facility
Prohibition on the sale and purchase of the local NTFPs and fishes in the camps
Prohibition in roaming in the local forest area by the outside workforce
v. Harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products and Medicinal Plants/Loss of Biodiversity
(Rare/Endangered/Endemic Plant and Animals)
Labor force will be prohibited for the collection of non timber forest products. Informative and
warning sign at centrally located construction site will be placed to create local awareness. The
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
cost for the construction of information board about the awareness creation against illegal
activities will be allocated by the project.
The following measures/task will be implemented so that cumulative, direct and indirect
impact on forest resources, medicinal plants, NTFPs could be reduced:
Preference to the local for project employment:
Provision of kerosene to the workforce for cooking:
Provision for camp lodging to the outside workforce with a common LPG cooking facility:
Prohibition on the sale and purchase of the local NTFPs and fishes in the camps
Prohibition in roaming in the local forest area by the outside workforce:
Discourage the construction of huts/houses of the laborers.
Collect necessary information on timber and firewood demand of tea stalls, restaurants, and
lodges located within 1 km on all sides of the core Project area.
Encourage community people to operate firewood depot and/or kerosene depot near the
Project site for worker's use.
Keep records, monitor about the energy used by the construction workers, and document it in
the monitoring reports.
Instruct the contractor to discontinue worker’s service who involved in illegal collection and
sale of forest products.
Despite the above measures, there will be some residual ecological effects of forest clearance
for the structures and facilities and will remain as residual impact for a period of 20 to 30 years
till the afforested forest matures.
vi. Disturbance to wildlife movement due to construction activities
The project site is not a prime habitat of the wildlife not it is a movement corridor. However,
the site is used by wildlife for seasonal migratory route for the feeding purpose. Obstruction on
the movement and reproduction of wildlife due to establishment of project will remain as a
residual impact until the project operation.
During the whole project life, the major disturbances will arise due to the construction
activities to local people, wild or domestic animals, and vegetation. This impact could not be
prevented but will be minimized by using different precautions and methods like low noise,
erection of no horn sign in appropriate places, instruction to the drivers not to use pressure
horn in and around the forest area, use of regular road rout, dust minimization precautions,
etc. All the project activities will be regularized according to the prevailing legislation mainly
related to the forest acts, aquatic animal’s protection act, forestry regulation, etc. to avoid
illegal activities if any. The Project will inform the laborers, drivers, or other employed staff
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
timely about the importance of conserving species by training, publishing and distributing "Do
and Don't Do" brochures or the code of conduct.
If any laborer or his/her dependents are found involved in chasing/harassing and/or trapping
the wildlife illegally, the Proponent will report to the ACA, office, or local management
committee of ACA for necessary legal action.
Despite the above measures, there will be some residual ecological effects of forest clearance
for the structures and facilities and will remain as residual impact for a period of 20 to 30 years
till the afforested forest matures.
vii. Habitat Fragmentation of flora and fauna
Implementation of project will have residual impact on flora and fauna of local area.
Conversion of 10.1 ha land area to the project erected structure will fragment the insitu habitat
of flora and fauna of the local area. To minimize the impact following consideration will be
made:
The plantation will focus the native species of the area. Micro watersheds of the area will be
given special attention for the restoration the natural habitat.
Plantation program will be conducted in close cooperation with ACA and it’s ordinary unit.
Watershed conservation will be as a part of enhancement measure encouraging local people for
the plantation, control to grazing, controlling illegal and unsustainable harvesting of forest
product. The governmentally protected flora and fauna that occur around the area will be
prime emphasis for the conservation and preservation.
Direct loss of wildlife and wildlife habitat is not envisaged by the project, as the project site is
not the core habitat. However, the residual impact will be remained until the project operation.
Forest and vegetation will be felled only to the required location by pegging the area and
numbering the trees
Surface blasting operations will be limited to only day time zone
No further measures as the direct loss of wildlife habitat and wildlife is not envisaged by the
project structural placement
viii. Illegal Hunting and Poaching Activities
The proponent will ensure that hunting and trapping of wildlife will not be taken place in any
circumstances. Further, informative and warning signs post will be placed at each construction
sites regarding protection of fauna. The construction contractor will provide special
instructions to all its staff and workforce on conservation issues. Purchasing and sale of
illegally hunted wildlife products will be strictly prohibited and the violators will be dismissed.
Prior awareness programme and warning programme will be made before the enrolment of
construction worker for the job. If any laborer or his/her dependents or project related people
are found involved in chasing/harassing and/or trapping the wildlife illegally, the Proponent
will report to the ACA office, or local management committee of ACA for necessary legal action.
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Despite the above measures, there will be some residual ecological effects on flora and fauna.
Forest clearance for the structures and facilities and will remain as residual impact for a period
of 20 to 30 years till the afforested forest matures.
ix. Temporary Diversion of Water
The river joining the Dudh Khola downstream to Marsyangdi will be affected during the
diversion of water at headworks. This will continue till one season at least. Implementations of
DKHP could not avoid this impact. During the EIA study none of such sensitive things/ objects
/components of biological and socioeconomic component were found. However, along the
right side the cutting of slope will trigger the stability of the area.
After the diversion of the water the area will be treated with gabion wall and concrete retaining
walls. No additional mitigation measures are required and proposed.
xi. Loss of Biodiversity (Floral and Faunal) in ACA
Direct loss of trees and pole will be compensated as it has been mentioned in subsection 7.2.2.1
Construction Phase no. i. Implementation of project will obviously have loss on floral diversity
of ACA and is unavoidable if project will be implemented.
To minimize the impact of loss of biodiversity in ACA, project will closely work with ACA and
its units. Watershed management program, encouragement program to local people for the
conservation etc will be lunched. The project will assist ACA for the conservation near to
project area. The program will be launched under the environmental enhancement program.
During the construction phase, major impacts envisaged in the biodiversity and habitat of ACA
is related with the offsite activities of construction workers. To minimize the impacts following
additional measures will be carried out:
Prohibition to the construction workforce to roam in the dense ACA forest and wildlife areas of
Dudh Khola.
Including the above provision in the labor force as a code of conduct and implementing the
provision with a penalty of dismissal from the construction job.
Employment of at least 1 person to monitor the offsite activities of the construction workforce
and other people involving in the illegal hunting, poaching of wildlife and collection of NTFPs
and MAPs.
Coordinating ACA and its local units, Divisional Forest Office and local police posts located at
Nashong rural municipality.
Providing the cooking and heating fuel support to the outside construction workforce from the
project cost so that pressure on local forest resource could be reduced.
xii. Impact of Workforce, Construction noise, spoils and other solid and liquid wastes on the
wildlife and aquatic life (flora/fauna)/Fisheries
The following measures and provisions will be made to minimize the impact:
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The outside construction workforce will be encouraged to live in the labor camps where
kerosene or LPG will be provided by the project for central cooking
Fuel wood will be strictly prohibited in the camps for cooking or any other purpose
Project will not purchase project required timber and other products from unauthorized local
person or business man
Disposal of the camp waste, redundant toxic chemical containers, spillage of toxic materials
will be prohibited in the unauthorized areas
Surface blasting operations will be limited to only day time zone
Discharge of spent oils, mobiles, slurry of batching plant, discharges, settling basins, aggregate
washing plants, untreated camp toiletry waste, mechanical yards will be prohibited to be
discharged directly into the river
Unauthorized spoil disposal in the river flood plain will be prohibited
Fishing will be restricted for the project staff and outside project workforce
Use of local fish as delicacy in the construction camp will be prohibited.
Disposal of the camp waste, redundant toxic chemical containers, spillage of toxic materials
will be prohibited in the unauthorized areas
Unless not required by the project structural placement, the riverbed will not be disturbed. The
impact is residual.
xiii. Fire Hazard
The grass species and Pine trees (Pinus roxburghii) present in project construction sites are
vulnerable to fire, especially during the dry season. Even a small fire in the form of cigarettes,
buds 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 Following mitigation will be carried out to
minimize the impact of forest fire:
Hoarding boards will be placed at critical location of the access road, headworks area, forebay
area and powerhouse areas as preventive actions to control the forest fire.
Public awareness programs 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.
Regular monitoring of workforces and their activities will be carried out and they will be aware
time to time.
Operation Phase
i. Disturbance to Fish Migration
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Minimum Environmental release 15% of average monthly flow will be guaranteed all the time
year from the weir axis. However, just realizing the 15% release of driest flow, the entire impact
could not be mitigated and will remain as a residual impact until the project runs. In addition,
project will concentrate mentioned watershed management activities along the project, so that
immediately additional release can be made as replenished discharge.
ii. Aquatic Flora and Fauna
The impact is residual. However, to minimize the impact, the Dudh Khola habitat will be
maintained making the stretch favorable to aquatic flora and fauna. Big boulders will be put or
excavated and will be put on the surface of stream. This will create favorable habitat for aquatic
species.
iii. Destruction of Wildlife Habitat
Unnecessary movement of operation phase work force will be controlled. So that disturbance
on the movement of wildlife having local level migratory or movement range will not be
disturbed. Further, the impact is residual in nature.
iv. Disturbance to Wildlife Movement due to project structures
Disturbance to wildlife movement due to erection of project component/structures will have
residual impact as most of the project components are proposed to be on surface. To minimize
the impact afforestation will be carried out near the vicinity of the main project component so
that it will help for the habitat restoration of the local area. In addition at least 2 wooden bridge
or crossing will be placed so that wild animals can pass across the Dudh Khola stretch. No
additional measures are proposed for this impact.
v. Impact Due to Easy Access to Forest
The implementation of project will construct about 500m internal access road. The area being
officially declared as ACA, the rules and regulation of ACA will prohibit such activities. With
the access road opening and start of the project operation, it is highly likely that the forest
resources of the area could be exploited commercially in illegal way in spite of being ACA. To
minimize the impact on these forest patches regular monitoring will be carried out along these
patches. This is easy because headworks components are located near to these forest patches.
In addition, project will work in close coordination with the local Forest Conservation
Committee cell of ACA. Furthermore, ACA rules and regulations will automatically prohibit
illegal activities along the forest patches. No additional measures are required.
vi. Sudden Release of Water Downstream
Established siren along the Dudh Khola stretch along the dewatered section somehow will
reduce the impact but it is not a mitigation measure.
Siren will be blown 30 minutes before and at least 3 times the release of water from the dam by
the project staff. Therefore, it is hoped that wildlife will move from their location to safe place.
However, just installing and honking siren, impact on wildlife movement of both terrestrial
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
and aquatic could not be mitigated all and will be remained as a residual impact. Further at
least 2 wildlife passage from either bank will be made along the dewatered section.
vii. Impact on microclimate in reduced flow zone
The microclimatic effect of the project in the dewatered and reservoir section could not be
mitigated with the selected project design. To minimize the impact, the project will further
release 15% of average monthly flow water even in dry month. In addition, project will
concentrate mentioned watershed management activities along the Dudh Khola, so that
immediately additional release can be made as replenished discharge. No additional mitigation
measures will be implemented to minimize the impacts of microclimate change and will
remain as the residual impact throughout the project life.
viii. Loss of Biodiversity of ACA
The same mitigation measures as applied during construction phase will be applied to reduce
the impact on biodiversity of ACA as more loss during operation phase is anticipated due to
smuggling of forest products, and encroachment to aquatic life basically fishing.
ix. Possible Smuggling of the Forest Product
In order to reduce the impact proponent will conduct trainer's training to, ACA local officials,
3people of the vicinity and nearby UGs members twice. This training will focus on the
sustainable use of forest products, usage of energy saving cooking utensils, energy saving
approaches, and ways to regulate illegal activities. Further, long term coordination with ACA,
district forest office and local security forces will be carried out.
Enforcement of Aquatic Animal Protection Act
Fish aggregate along powerhouse and 1 km downstream section o Dudh Khola will be
susceptible to legal and illegal harvest. The project management will develop some
enforcement mechanism in association with ACA, local administration, local society.
In addition, afforestation program and watershed management program will help to minimize
the residual impact created by the project placements which are described in above sections.
x. Fire Hazard
The grass species and Pine trees (Pinus roxburghii) present in project construction sites are
vulnerable to fire, especially during the dry season. Even a small fire in the form of cigarettes,
buds and match stick used by the operation 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 Following mitigation will be carried out to
minimize the impact of forest fire:
Hoarding boards will be placed at critical location of the access road on the preventive actions
to control the forest fire.
Public awareness programs will be launched to prevent the forest fires in the local area.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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.
Project will work closely with the local Forest Conservation Cell of ACA.
Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment
Construction Phase
i. Private and Community Land Acquisition
The project requires 9.8 ha of total land for the construction of the project components
permanently and temporarily basis which includes 5 ha of forest of ACA area at different
localities for the placement of project structure and facilities.
All the private land loss will be compensated at the current market price. Negotiation and
mutual understanding method will be applied while compensating these lands.
Temporarily land will be taken as lease. The lease rent will be compensated by the proponent to
the respective owner.
Lease amount will be paid to the ACA area/forest and flood plain area to the ACA or
government. Guideline for the handing over of forest area for the other purpose 2063 B.S
(2007 AD) will be followed.
Temporarily used land will be later rehabilitated. The rehabilitation cost will be bear by project.
Direct loss of structures and utilities is not anticipated due to the project. Possible impact and
any dislocation of trekking routes will be compensated by rehabilitating them.
No direct loss of physical properties is recorded due to project during EIA study. If any
properties or structure will be later identified affected later will be compensated on the
bilateral negotiation.
If any loss will be identified later, the loss will be compensated. A separate contingency cost has
been allocated. Such loss will be compensated later, and cost will be determining by mutual
understanding.
ii. Impact on Agricultural Production
The agricultural production losses of standing crops will be compensated by the project. To
minimize the impact early notice at least one season will be made to the PAFs so that the loss
can not be anticipated. The compensation cost of the standing crops will be allocated by the
project.
iii. Impact on livelihood of PAFs
Though the project doesn’t have any severely project affected families (SPAFs). The fate of
PAFs after the land acquisition by the project will be seriously taken by the project. To increase
the livelihood status of the PAFs following measures will be applied:
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
All the private land loss will be compensated at the current market price. Negotiation and
mutual understanding method will be applied while compensating these lands.
Production potential of the temporarily taken land will be compensated.
First priority of employment opportunity will be given to the PAFs.
Employment opportunity during the operation phase will be prioritized to PAFs.
Skill training to PAFs or their families’ member will be prioritized so that they can earn extra
income from the new skill. The skill training will be made under the environmental
enhancement program.
iv. Occupational Health and Safety Measures
The construction area will be cleared and fenced off and all the necessary precaution and
warning signpost will be placed at work sites. This area will be restricted for the entry of
unauthorized people. The contractor will be made responsible via contract clause for the
occupational health and safety measures. The project will provide Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) such as hard hat, eye glass, safety boot, safety belt, gloves, firefighting
accessories, caution signals and other safety equipment as required at particular sites and work
areas.
Proper ventilation and air supply will be maintained in underground works.
Siren will be blown prior to the blasting activities and red flag will be placed in the blasting
spot. To avoid vibration impacts to the nearby houses, low capacity blasting will be carried out.
Regular monitoring of local spring nearby the alignment will be carried out. The project
proponent will compensate the damage to houses and infrastructures; and strengthen or
provide alternatives to the loss/ drying up of water from spring source used by the community.
Safety training will be implemented and any loss of life or injury will also be compensated as
per prevailing rules. The safety training for the project workers will be conducted prior to the
construction work. The training program will be of at least seven days that will include
practical class, use of safety equipments, first aid etc.
Camp site management and supply of primary health care facilities are the major measures to
minimize the impact on local health and sanitation facilities so that additional pressure on
health and sanitation couldn’t be envisaged due to project. To minimize the impact, the
contractor will be made responsible via contract clause for the primary health service (first aid)
and camp site management as described in the subsection 7.1.1.1 “Camp Site Management”.
The project proponent will make available the labors with potable drinking water, clean toilets
with adequate water facilities. Toilets will be made in temporary camps with the ratio of one
toilet for 10 people. First aid kits will be maintained for preliminary treatment in emergencies.
For serious injuries arrangement will be made to send the injured person to the nearest
hospitals. Health checkup of workers and documentation of health status will be made
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
periodically. Priority will be given to the local people in project works to minimize the impacts
on health and sanitation. Support will be provided to local health post under CSR.
v. Impact due to increase Economic Activities
The Project will run an awareness program before the execution of construction works to tell
the local people that the cash flow will be stopped once the construction works will be
completed, so they should be very careful in spending. They will also be made aware of the
investment opportunities likely to generate due to the project and encourage them to exploit
the opportunities for long-term income source. Alcoholism, gambling and other social ill due to
increased economic activities will be controlled in close coordination with local securities and
social institutions of the area.
vi. Impact on Social Service Infrastructures
With the influx of the construction workers from outside, the demand on social service
institutions particularly educational facilities, health services, water supply systems,
administrative services, local law and order maintaining institutions, telecommunication
services, and local market increase. So, to have minimal impacts on the available resources,
following mitigation measures have been purposed;
The schools of the Nashong rural municipality which provide education to the children of
project staff and workers will be supported.
Establish a health service facility and support health workers within the construction camps
Establish water supply system for all the camp facilities within the work area and camp area
Establish self-standing communication facilities for the project staff and workers
Support to such social infrastructures will be as per the enhancement program of project and
will be operated under the Environment and Social Management Unit of the Project.
vii. Impact due to conflict of interest
Different people have different attitude toward the project and vice versa. To minimize the
conflict of interest project will facilitate the Project RM to formulate a Dudh Khola
Hydropower Concern Committee (DKHCC). The project management will deal with local
people with the help and coordination with that committee and vice versa. Conflict of interest
will be discussed well within the committee and project management unit.
viii. Impact on Sociocultural Practices
To minimize the impact on social and cultural practices of local communities, a strong code of
conduct will be enforced to the outside construction workers. The workers will be instructed to
act in responsible manners during and after the working hours, respecting the rights, property
and practices of the local people. Alcohol and gambling will be prohibited in camp area.
Priority will be given to the local people in project works.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
will be recruited from other parts of country. As far as possible National workforce /manpower
/technical skill/equipment will be used as available.
xii. Gender and Disadvantageous Group
The project will ensure discrimination against the local people based on their gender, caste,
color and place of origin. Local women will be hired to the extent possible. Similarly, priority to
job opportunity will be provided to the people of affected indigenous, vulnerable and backward
group or families in the project area in order to raise their living standard.
Project will support the local indigenous Gurung and Tamang people by forming a separate
enhancement committee for the upliftment of indigenous people. Budget will be allocated to
aware local women and project will support them mainstreaming.
Participation of Dalit and women in Dudh Khola Hydropower Concern Committee will be
encouraged by the project. Special training to Women, Dalit (disadvantageous groups) and
Indigenous groups will be provided under the Environmental Enhancement Program.
xiii. Impact of Blasting Activities
Surface blasting activities will be carried out only at day time. People will restrict to enter the
blasting area. Army official will be used during the blasting activities to be carried out. Blasting
operation in this project is very limited. Prior to Blasting nearest Tiliche, Toche and Dharapani
will be pre-informed.
Therefore, so no additional mitigation measures are required.
Blasting and Its Impact on Physical Infrastructure
Direct impact to any local physical infrastructure is envisaged during the EIA study. However,
if such impact is identified later, it will be compensated in mutual understanding. A
contingency fund will be allocated under the environmental mitigation cost. The compensation
will be paid from this amount.
xiv. Expansion of Settlements
With the increase in the facilities of access road, health facilities and job opportunities people
are likely to start their own small business-like tea shop, hotels, fruits and vegetable shops
around the core area of the project. This will result in the development of new settlement and
expansion of the earlier settlements like Tiliche, Toche and Dharapani and many other
adjacent RMs is most likely to expand its settlement after the project implementation. The
space available in the area is limited.
Project has come up with the following measure to have the proper managements of the
settlements around the core area so that the settlements won’t disturb the ongoing
development of the project;
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Local government will be advised of the expanding settlements and its environmental
consequences to step in for management. If planning is requested, local government will be
assisted.
xv. Impact of waterway alignment to the springs and water sources
Dudh and other small rivulets is the main two spring and water sources along the waterway
alignment. The project has design to cross this area via headrace tunnel. Therefore, no
additional mitigation measures are proposed. Drying up of such sources are not anticipated.
xvi. Scarcity of Drinking water to the Construction Workers
Drinking water supply will be provided to the main two camp sites of the project separately.
Headworks and Powerhouse site camp will be facilitated with the drinking water supply. The
sources of drinking water supply to these areas are locally available without any water use
conflict. The cost for the drinking water supply to camps has been allocated in the civil cost of
the project.
Project will solve the water demand of worker itself and no additional pressure on the existing
supply of the local communities will be made.
Operation Phase
i. Declining in Economic Activities Raised in Construction Period
The project will run counseling programs to tell the workers about the availability of works in
similar projects running elsewhere in Nepal demanding the skills they acquired from the
project. The local farmers, business people and traders will be made aware of the income
generating activities that could be operated by the availability of the electricity in their area. In
addition, skill training program as an Environmental Enhancement Program will be carried
out so that people can switch their occupation easily based on their skill and local availability of
resources.
ii. Occupation Health and Safety Hazards
Safety equipment required for the operation and maintenance of the headworks and
powerhouse will be provided. Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) and other safety
equipment as required during operation phase will be provided. Safety caution sign will be
posted at work places and nearby danger zones and such area will be well fenced.
Reduction of Agricultural Land
The impact is residual and couldn’t be revived. The temporarily used land will be rehabilitated
by project itself and handed over to the respective owner. PAFs of permanent land acquisition
will be given special agriculture enchantment training so that they can increase their
production from the remaining land. The area is under ACA. Crop safety due to wildlife is very
low; therefore, new crops which are safe from wildlife will be introduced with the help of ACA
and its local cell.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Further new skill training as environmental enhancement program will be launched so that
PAFs can switch their occupation.
iii. Risk of Sudden Release of Water
To make sure that sudden release of water from the dam downstream while maintenance of the
powerhouse, settling basin or waterway don’t have or no impact on the life and safety of the
livestock and peoples utilizing the river bed area for various purposes, following measures have
purposed:
Siren network will be established in the dewatered zone by the project
Siren will be blown 30 minutes before the release of water from the dam by the project staff
Local people will be given awareness training to safeguard their cattle from the flood plain area
after the siren is blown.
iv. Impact on livelihood of PAFs
Project does not have any severally project affected families (SPAFs). The fate of PAFs after the
land acquisition by the project will be seriously taken by the project since the construction
phase. The project will run an awareness program to the project affected people about the
proper use of Compensation money and money saved during the construction period involving
in working. The project will also run job-oriented training programs to the project affected
people who will be useful to the project both construction and operation phase. Project affected
people will be given a skill training under Environmental Enhancement Program.
To increase the livelihood status of the PAFs following measures will be applied:
All the private land loss will be compensated at the current market price. Negotiation and
mutual understanding method will be applied while compensating these lands.
Production potential of the temporarily taken land will be compensated.
First priority of employment opportunity will be given to the PAFs.
Employment opportunity during the operation phase will be prioritized to PAFs.
Skill training to PAFs or their families’ member will be prioritized so that they can earn extra
income from the new skill. The skill training will be made under the environmental
enhancement program.
v. Impact of waterway alignment to the springs and water sources
Dudh and other small rivulets are the major spring and water sources along the waterway
alignment. The project has design to cross this area via headrace tunnel. Therefore, no
additional mitigation measures are proposed. Drying up of such sources is not anticipated.
vii. Increased Tourism Activities
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Increase in tourism during the operation phase will have some social adverse impact. Increase
settlement, population pressure, market expansion at powerhouse area at Dharapani and
Tiliche will be affected due to social illness, illusion of bad culture and others.
To protect the society local cultural groups will be promoted via cultural training; social
institutions will be made much strengthened. Locals will be aware to take positive benefit from
the increased tourism activities along the area.
Proponent's Commitment
Apart from the proposed mitigation measures in this chapter, the proponent will compensate
affected parties for the loss of lives or properties due to the project implementation as per the
prevailing law of Nepal. All the mentioned mitigation measures of identified beneficial and
adverse impacts will be fulfilled from the proponent sites. In additional, the relevant concerns
by the stakeholders during public hearing and interaction meetings will be addressed with
mutual understanding with local people. The formation of one single Dudh Khola Hydropower
Concern Committee that represents the voices of different people will be foremost things for
creating better environment for project construction. The monitoring unit will identify and
document the residual impacts. The Proponent is committed to mitigate to residual impact
from the project after implementing the proposed mitigation measures.
The construction contractor will be made responsible for undertaking all duties and works
assigned in the construction contract including all specified terms and conditions. The
construction contractor will work closely with the monitoring team, Project owner, advising
team and supervising consultant to ensure all works are performed to specified standards and
all mitigation measures are maintained. The invoice payment of the contractor will not be paid
until the proponent will be satisfied or ensured about the work done by the contractor to
specified norms.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Physical Environment
Construction Phase
The topographical changes will occur To minimize the topographic changes in Included in
ii Impact on Topography particularly in the headwork site; the major project components like project design
headrace tunnel, settling basin, intake headwork, waterway, and powerhouse, cost
pond, Surge tank, powerhouse area, minimum land as possible will be used.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
quarry sites, spoil, debris & spoil Landscaping of the spoil/debris and spoil
disposal sites etc. At headwork disposal sites will be carried out. Such land
diversion weir will create a will be soon rehabilitated. Bio-engineering
backwater and this will create a and plantation to such area will be done to
small impoundment. The stabilized land. Furthermore, the
construction of other project change in topography due to erection of
components will change in project component is residual in nature.
landscape. In addition, construction Project will just try to minimize the impact
of access road will also have long as far as possible.
term effect on topography as
excavation and other earthworks area
needed. Camp facilities during
construction require housing, office
space and work areas. The
landscape will change at headwork,
water way, powerhouse area the
spoil, debris & spoil disposal sites and
along the access road, ground
elevation may be raised by 5-7 m than
the present level.
The project will maintain the During the construction of access road,
internal access earthern road of there is high possibility of mixing of
Issues related to 500m on its own cost. The debris and other construction wastes into Included in
iii construction of project associated impacts due to road the river. Such activities will be strictly project design
access road construction are temporary like controlled and monitored. Disposal of such cost
increase in turbidity of water, material will be done on prescribed site.
mixing of various wastes, air Vehicle will be maintained regularly so
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
A total of 3.25 ha private land will be Stockpiling sites will be properly fenced.
acquired for the storage of Side drains will be constructed. Mixing of
construction materials at stockpiling chemicals and explosives to the water body
sites and construction of camp house. and soil will be prohibited. Terms and
0.8 ha private land will be acquired condition will be enlisted in contract
for the storage of construction agreement with the civil contractor to
materials at stockpiling sites and 0.8 minimize the impact. The leased land used
ha land will be acquired for for stockpiling will be restored into original
construction of camp, in which 0.4 ha shape to the extent possible. Proper
Issues related to storage of storage site will be managed for the Included
will be permanently used and 0.4 in
construction materials, construction materials near to the project design
iv ha will be temporarily used. Leakage
construction and labor construction site with making a safe cost
of oil, grease, cements and other
camps house. For the storage of petrochemical
construction materials to the site
and adjoining area will have impact the floor will be concrete and brims will
on the soil quality of exact vicinity, be made to avoid the overflow impact.
pollutant source to nearby water Precaution and warning signs and
sources, dust and odor pollution are firefighting equipment will be placed at the
other envisaged impacts. This may storage areas. The private land to be used
also cause adverse impact on forest for the storage facilities will be
hindering growth of various flora at compensated and rehabilitated to its
the site. natural condition prior to return to the
respective land owners. The government
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Penstock alignment has to pass All the activities within the riverbed will
through different gullies and kholsis. be planned properly during the
The construction of water construction stage. The contractor will be
conveyance system will affect water allowed to take out materials from the
drainage system as this will disrupts riverbed from the excavation of the weir
Issues related to river surface follow a which may further foundation. Proper engineering design for Included in
vi morphology and drainage increase the instability of slope and sediment flushing will be done and project design
pattern penstock alignment and other water downstream protection by cut off wall and cost
passing system at different length will launching apron shall be design for
have to cross dry gullies and kholsis. minimizing the adverse impact in the river
In these gullies soil erosion and morphology. The river bed will be
land instability will be increased excavated only in the necessary areas
due to blockage of natural drainage. specified by the design drawings.
viii Landslide & soil erosion Water has to pass through Headrace Pegging and flagging will be done at the Included in
tunnel, Surge tank Penstock Pipe and landslide area boundary. Slope will be project design
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
due to excavations works Tail Race. During the water maintained less than the angle of repose to cost
conveyance it passes along a kholsi, the extent possible, mostly 45%. Both
and unstable slopes. No major vertical and horizontal drains will be
geological hazards such as debris provided. If a major structure such as
flow, landslide, mud flows etc. powerhouse is very close (100m), then
Construction of headrace tunnel on standard retaining structures and or
the other hand will make the slope stability of the slopes by grouting,
vulnerable in weak geological concreting, fixing rock bolts etc. measures
features. The impacts may be more will be adopted. No surface will be left
serious during rainy or monsoon exposed. Concreting will be done on
seasons. This may cause landslides steeper slopes. Bioengineering will be
or rock fall and soil erosion prioritized as much as possible to the
exposed slopes.
During the entire project construction The disposal sites are proposed in such a
it is estimated that approximately location that these sites are safe from
volume of 973985 m3 spoils will be landslides, and other instabilities such as
generated. volume of spoil and debris spoil/debris flow into the river or water
will be generated from the entire bodies are strictly can be managed. The
project including the access road. It thickness of spoil/debris disposal will not Included in
Spoil disposal at project exceed 7 m could be applicable to all sites. project design
ix is estimated that there is about
area Disposal of spoil/debris at other place cost
386285 m3 surplus bulk volume of
muck; spoil mixed with stone will be than designated will be strictly
generated from the entire project prohibited. The spoil disposal will not be
including the access road. 30,000 m3 thrown in the river; rather it will be safely
volume of top soil will be generated deposited in the stream gullies, ravines,
from the entire project components. depression and flood plains. The surface
and slope of the disposal area will have
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
bio-engineering treatment.
Possibility of degradation Due to the construction activities There is no presence of any springs in the Included in
xi
of spring of the project component nearby project area. And in case of other water project design
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
the water resources especially the resources, all effluent discharges will be cost
spring which has been used by the treated before discharging into the river
local for different purposes, the or other water source. Waste liquid
condition of the springs may from the batching plant and vehicle wash
degraded and water availability may will be diverted to a settling basin for
be decreased. But there is no spring treatment prior to discharge to the
nearby the project area. natural stream/river.
Three camps site has been proposed Minimum land as possible will be used for
for the project as construction the camp. Camp sites will be made well
support facilities during the facilitated with toilets, (at least one for
construction period. During the each 10 workforce) drinking water facilities
construction period about 66 kg etc. The toilets with septic tank will be
(assuming 300 gram for 220 people constructed at least 300 m far from the
daily) of domestic waste which will be natural water body. Direct discharge of
generated by the workforces daily. If sewage to the water body will be band.
the domestic waste is dumped in the Solid waste generated from the camp site
xii Impacts of camp site streams, degradation of the waste will be collected in a safe location; 750,000
will cause depletion of dissolved Segregation of solid waste and recycling,
oxygen in water. This will adversely reduce and reuse system of solid waste
affect aquatic life in the streams. In management system will be strictly
addition, improperly disposed followed. During the preparation of
domestic waste will spoil the natural contract bid for civil construction work, the
beauty of the area, cause foul smell, provision will be made mandatory. Solid
and attract flies, rodents and other Waste Management Regulation of GoN,
scavengers which could produce 2070 will be strictly followed. Discipline of
public health concerns, for the work force will be maintained.
construction workers as well as the Unnecessary movement of workforce to
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
During the construction period, Water spraying will be carried out in all the
activities such as transportation and gravel and earthen roads two times in a
handling of construction material, day for nine months in one year. All
xvi Change in air quality excavation, drilling, blasting, use of vehicles belonging to the project i.e. 600,000
heavy equipment, and the use of consultants, owner, contractors, vendors
crushing and batching plant will will comply national emission standards
generate significant amount of dust and regular (monthly) check- up for
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
suspended and dissolved solids in the e.g. Toxic chemicals, grease, oils, acids and
stream/river. Quarry area has been other materials, generated in the project
proposed from confluence of these will be disposed off in the land fill site. The
kholas thus water body will bear storage area will be lined to reduce
the impact. This will have some potential surface and ground water
adverse impacts on the aquatic life. pollution in the event of spill. The used oil
However, the impacts of increased and lubricants will be collected regularly
turbidity and pollution will be into drums/barrels or tanks. The settling
medium. Liquid waste might occur as basin should be used to collect the slurry
a result from the construction for settling the heavy particles and other
activities and from the use of material, which can be recycled or
lubricants, paints, cleaning, incinerated. Bathing, cloth washing,
chemical and other aqueous and oil- defecating and urinating in the river will be
based materials. Some wastes might strictly prohibited to project’s work force.
occur as a result of leaks from
construction equipment, accidental
spills during materials transfer and
storage and also from improper and
inadequate management, as
lubrication and changing of oil are
the common practices in
construction equipment.
Loss of top soil i.e. 30,000 m3 is The topsoil will be covered by plastic and
Loss of top soil generated permanent and recovery chance is stockpiled over a drained area. To reduce Included in
xvi
during excavation of almost impossible. The clearing & siltation problem, the soil conservation project design
ii
project sites grubbing of vegetation from the activities will also be implemented as per cost
project area for construction related needed. Similarly, to minimize the soil
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
251
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
managements.
Total 3,000,000
Operation phase
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
If river water will be suddenly To make sure that sudden release of water
released downstream due to the from the dam downstream while
accidental problem in mechanical maintenance of the powerhouse,
Issues of probable operation of the project, desander or tunnel don’t have or no impact Will be
catastrophe Due to sudden unexpected increase in river flow on the life and safety of the livestock and included in
iii
release of water in will occur to the downstream. Such peoples utilizing the river bed area for project
dewatered stretch release will have the high speed also. various purposes, following measures have operation cost
Similarly, due to heavy rain water, the purposed; Siren network will be
morphology of river will be changed. established in the about 5.2 km dewatered
This will affect human life, aquatic zone by the project. Siren will be blown 30
life & also wild life of the dewatered minutes before the release of water from
255
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
zone. Precautionary measures are the dam by the project staff. Local people
required to mitigate and minimize will be given awareness training to
such impacts. safeguard their cattle from the flood plain
area after the siren is blown
Change in water quality The water quality of River in the Water pollution during operation phase is Will be
vi monsoon season even in the envisaged due to continuous desander included in
due to reduced flow
dewatered zone section (between flushing/trapped gravel. This is a residual project
256
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
diversion weir & tailrace) & below impact, but the impact will be minimized operation cost
tailrace will be similar to present. by constructing a ditch to collect the sand
There will be some minor changes and aggregate before reaching to the
in the water quality in the months stream. Thus collected sediment will be the
from October to June in the safely collected and transferred to the safe
dewatered stretch of the river place.
between diversion weir & tailrace
than the present. The water quality
will be slightly altered by the
variables of the tributaries even
though the greater share of the
water volume is contributed by the
residual environmental flow of the
Dudh Khola from the diversion weir.
The dissolved oxygen level will
slightly drop while the water
temperature will slightly increase
than the present. Suspended
sediment load in the river water
will however, significantly drop than
the present.
257
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
mixed to the water body unless minimize the impact, during the
preventives will used. In addition, maintenance period chemical socking
these oil/chemicals if spilled easily materials will be put at the ground and
spread over ground producing eye then later such used materials will be
sore. Near the water surface, the oil safely disposed or buried.
spill pollutes the water surface and
the dissolved oxygen content of the
water body will be reduced. The oil
leakage has detrimental impact on
the aquatic life. Impact due to leakage
of oil, grease and other chemicals
however in the Dudh Khola during
the operation period seems
irrelevant.
258
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
259
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total 2,700,000
Biological Environment
Construction Stage
260
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The workforce and camp during the Provision of kerosene/LP Gas to the
construction period could involve in workforce for cooking so that demand of
firewood collection illegally and firewood will be reduced Will be
Increase Demand of timber collection for their personal or /minimize.Provision for camp lodging to included in
ii project needs being the cheap fuel for the outside workforce with a common
Firewood and Timber project
cooking, heating and cheap source of LPG cooking facility. Prohibition on the operation cost
timber needs if any for the project. sale and purchase of the local NTFPs and
This will further decrease the fishes in the camps Prohibition in roaming
forest and plant species from the in the local forest area by the outside
261
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The terrestrial wildlife’s are noise Low noise, erection of no horn sign in
sensitive. The increased mobility of appropriate places, instruction to the
people and construction vehicles will drivers not to use pressure horn in and
Disturbances/ impacts on drive away the terrestrial wildlife around the forest area, use of regular road 2,700,000
iv
flora and fauna from the vicinity of construction sites. rout, dust minimization precautions, etc.
Increased noise level not only drives All the project activities will be
away the terrestrial wildlife but also regularized according to the prevailing
have impact on the breeding legislation mainly related to the forest
262
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
behavior. The increase in noise level acts, aquatic animal’s protection act,
in general and high pitch noise during forestry regulation, etc. to avoid illegal
blasting is envisaged to drive away activities if any. The Project will inform
the terrestrial wildlife of the valley the laborers, drivers, or other employed
even at considerable distance from staff timely about the importance of
the construction sites. The monkeys conserving species by training,
and Ghorals, commonly seen in the publishing and distributing "Do and Don't
valley area along headworks and to Do" brochures or the code of conduct.
the hills of Bakundada along the
right bank of Dudh Khola, will move
away for the entire construction
period only to return to the area
after some period of completion of
construction activities.
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Forest area within project area is The proponent will ensure that hunting
monitored by ACA staff, local ACA and trapping of wildlife will not be taken Will be
Poaching Activities and management committee and place in any circumstances. Further, included in
vii
Illegal Trade community forest management informative and warning signs post will project
committee. With better access road, be placed at each construction sites operation cost
there will be market of wildlife regarding protection of fauna. The
264
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Loss of The increased mobility of people and With the construction of project facilities Included in
ix biodiversity(floral/faunal) construction vehicles will drive away and structures, the threats on rare and compensation
in the ACA due to the terrestrial wildlife from the endangered /endemic plant species will plantation
265
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
clearance of forest and vicinity of construction sites. increase. To minimize the impact on such
project activities Increased noise level not only drives protected tree species project will
away the terrestrial wildlife but also plant 25 seedlings/saplings and rear them
have impact on the breeding up to 5 years. For other than tree species,
behavior. The increase in noise level project will plant and rear such species on
in general and high pitch noise during different suitable areas.
blasting is envisaged to drive away
To minimize the impacts, the proponent
the terrestrial wildlife of the valley will launch various awareness and
even at considerable distance from rehabilitation programs. People and
the construction sites. The wildlifes workers will be made aware, guidelines
found along headworks and along the will be developed for the handling and
bank of Dudh Khola, will move away managing as well as for protection of rare
for the entire construction period and endangered species.
only to return to the area after some
period of completion of construction
activities.
During the site clearance species with With the construction of project facilities
conservation significance will be and structures, the threats on rare and
impacted. Species like Diascorea endangered /endemic species will increase.
To minimize the impacts, the proponent
Loss of Rare and deltoid, Swertia chirayita and
Berginia ciliata will be affected which will launch various awareness and
x Endangered/Endemic
are under the conservation category rehabilitation programs. People and
Plant species
of government of Nepal. In addition, workers will be made aware; guidelines
the mobility of workforce and illegal will be developed for the handling and
activities could affect the status of managing as well as for protection of rare
occurrence to the Rare, endangered and endangered species.
266
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
During the diversion of water from Disturbance in the present faunal habitat
headwork drying the first phase of in the river due to silt during
construction period about30 m construction phase will be reduced or
Disturbance to Aquatic section will be dechannelized. Aquatic minimized as far as possible.
xiii Flora/Fauna in flora and fauna in this section will be Environmental Monitoring team during
downstrean impacted. During this stage the the construction will further monitor
turbidity level of water will be during construction and operation stage.
increased. Thus downstream flora The stipulated riparian release and the
and fauna will also be impacted. environmental balance required
267
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
268
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
lands. The highly valued standing out. The standing forest resources such
forest resources such as timber, as timber, firewood, litter, fodder etc.
firewood, litter, fodder may be has high value. Haphazard clearance and
unneccesarily harvested. Haphazard lack of collection will make the cleared
clearance and overexploitation of resources valueless to the users and
NTFPs will make the cleared owners. Therefore, the project will clear
resources valueless to the users and the forest and stockpile the materials as
owners. per the guideline of Forest Produces
Collection, Sale and Distribution
Guidelines, (1998) and will be handed over
to the respective Conservation Area
Management Committee. Existing policies
and rules of ACA will be obeyed during the
compensation process.
Total 8,415,000
Operation Stage
269
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Disturbance to wildlife The increased mobility of people and Unnecessary movement of operation phase
iii operational workforce will drive work force will be controlled. So that 900,000
habitat
away the terrestrial wildlife from the disturbance on the movement of wildlife
270
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Easy access to forest due to The implementation of project will To minimize the impact on these forest Will be
v construct 1 km internal access road. patches regular monitoring will be carried included in
internal access road
Construction of access road will have out along these patches. This is easy project
271
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
easy access to forest patch. The area because headworks components are operation cost
being officially declared as ACA, the located near to these forest patches. In
rules and regulation of ACA will addition project will work in close
prohibit such activities. With the coordination with the local Forest
access road opening and start of Conservation Committee cell of ACA
the project operation, it is highly and CFUGs members. Furthermore,
likely that the forest resources of the ACA rules and regulations will
area could be exploited automatically prohibit illegal activities
commercially in illegal way in spite of along the forest patches. No additional
being ACA. measures are required. Conservation
Area Management committee and CFUGs
will be strengthened to promote the
conservation.
272
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
273
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total 13,750,000
Construction Stage
Acquisition of land, & The project will acquire 4.37 ha All the private land loss will be
i 42,667,925
other private property private land for permanent purpose compensated with reasonable price with
274
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
and 2.2 ha for temporary purpose. coordination & cooperation with local
people. Negotiation and mutual
understanding method will be applied
while compensating these lands.
Temporarily land will be taken as lease.
The lease rent will be compensated by the
proponent to the respective owner.
Temporarily used land will be later
rehabilitated. The rehabilitation cost will
be bear by project.
275
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
276
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
environment in labour-camps,
unmanaged work- camps and
haphazard stockpiling are the
major areas that will increase the
chances of the workforce being
exposed to health risks. Potential
impacts to health are respiratory
diseases, eye infections, dysentery,
diarrhoea and cholera.
277
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
In road network, we expect a flow The schools of the project affected wards
Pressure on community of about 25 vehicles /day during which provide education to the children of
vii
infrastructures & resources the period of construction period project staff and workers will be supported.
frequently. The movement of people Establish a health service facility and
along foot trails from to proposed support health workers within the
278
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
access road will not be disturbed by construction camps Establish water supply
the implementation of the project. system for all the camp facilities within the
Rather the project will enhance the work area and camp area. Support to such
mobility of the local people by social infrastructures will be as per the
constructing the new access road near enhancement program of project and will
to the same alignment. Other be operated under Environment and
resource such as drinking water Social Management Unit of Project.
resources will have not have any
impact due to construction of DKHP
information because of the sources of
drinking water quiet far from the
project components. But, additional
sources and pipe line if not installed
for the labor force the community
taps will not bear the pressure.
279
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Gurung and Tamang dominates the To minimize the impact on social and
project area .This makes the project cultural practices of local communities, a
area sensitive from cultural and strong code of conduct will be enforced to
religious point of view. If additional the outside construction workers. The
workforces from different caste workers will be instructed to act in
Impact on social, cultural
ix following different culture and responsible manners during and after the 750,000
& religious practices
religious came then there might be working hours, respecting the rights,
some problem with in this society, property and practices of the local people.
especially on cultural and religious Alcohol and gambling will be prohibited in
practices of Thami and Sherpa camp area. Priority will be given to the
community. local people in project works.
280
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
281
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
development projects.
Due to project implementation, major The project has design to cross this area via
portion of headworks and water headrace tunnel. Blasting should be
convenyance alignment minimum carried out for the construction work.
impact will be raised during Blasting for the construction of the tunnel
construction phase. During the will be done in day time only. The
construction of powerhouse and petroleum bunkers as well as explosive
Issues of blasting and powerhouse facilities settlement area bunkerwill be placed in a separate area in a
xiv other construction of bazar will bear disturbance due to concrete bonded area with a facility of oil Included in
activities noise, dust pollution, crowd, heavy and grease separator. The contractor will design cost
vehicle movement, etc. Though noise be made responsible for this. The impact
pollution will be major concern will be incorporated since the design phase
during construction phase. Noise of the project. The penstock passes
level above 65 dB(A) is not desirable. through some gullies and kholsies. Anchor
The blasting activities during blocks will protect the penstock pipe along
construction of would likely to exceed the difficult and sensitive terrain and also
this threshold of noise level. But, maintain the natural flow of water from
282
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
since settlement area are far from gullies. Blockage to the natural flow due to
project area, anticipated impacts is penstock alignment will be strictly
neglible to the settlements. However, prohibited. Drying up of such sources are
same impacts to the local wildlifes are not anticipated
anticipated.
The professional peoples, students The tourist will not be allowed roaming
from different colleges and even other alone in the project area without any
Issues related to tourism big investors may visit the area to see personnel of the project. The materials
xvi
activity how the project is running in its needed for the tourist will be made
construction phase. This may create available as far as possible so that it does
problems in the local area. not pressurized the local resources.
The field observation and interaction The local people do not use Dudh river
with local community has revealed water for their daily domestic purposes. To
xvi that the water from Dudh Khola has Included in
Water use right minimize the impact of water use, the
i not been used by locals for drinking, design cost
project will further release of 15% of
rafting, professional fishing purposes monthly flow from Dudh Khola.
or for irrigation purposes within the
283
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Two types of solid wastes will be Minimum land as possible will be used for
generated by the project. They are the project. Solid waste generated will be
domestic and construction wastes. collected in a safe location; Segregation of
xix Impact of solid waste Improper handling and management solid waste and recycling, reduce and reuse
of these wastes can result in system of solid waste management system
production of unpleasant odours, will be strictly followed. During the
deterioration of water quality, visual preparation of contract bid for civil
284
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
impacts and public health hazards. construction work, the provision will be
The domestic waste will primarily made mandatory. Solid Waste
consist of organic food waste. They Management Regulation of GoN, 2070 will
are biodegradable and non- be strictly followed. The project sites will
hazardous, and can be easily be made well facilitated with toilets, (at
managed and will not be a significant least one for each 10 workforce) drinking
problem. However, if the domestic water facilities etc. The toilets with septic
waste is dumped in the streams, tank will be constructed at least 300 m far
degradation of the waste will cause from the natural water body. Direct
depletion of dissolved oxygen in discharge of sewage to the water body will
water. This will adversely affect be banned.
aquatic life in the streams. In
addition, improperly disposed
domestic waste will spoil the natural
beauty of the area, cause foul smell,
and attract flies, rodents and other
scavengers which could produce
public health concerns, for the
construction workers as well as the
local people
During the project construction, Unnecessary land will not be allowed for
clearence of the land will be done. In encroachment. The provision will be made
the course of construction of project implemented via contractor clause before
xx Land encroachment components, the possibility of forest granting contract award to the different
encroachment, encroachment of contractor. Illegal clearing, encroachment
barren land and river flood plain may to forest area will be strictly banned to the
occur. The highly valued standing project and project workers. Haphazard
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total 135,125,625
Operation Stage
ii Occupational Health and Safety Safety equipment required for the Will be
Occupational, health &
aspect is one of the likely impacts to operation and maintenance of the included in
286
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
safety hazards be experienced during the operation headworks and powerhouse will be project
and maintenance period of the provided. Personal Protective Equipments operation cost
project. Access to electricity may also (PPE) and other safety equipment as
bring some hazard associated to required during operation phase will be
electric shock. Similarly, lack of provided. Safety caution sign will be posted
training on operation and at work places and nearby danger zones
maintenance skill and unavailability and such area will be well fenced.
of Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) may also cause risks for human
live.
Sudden release of water The sudden release of water from Siren network will be established in the Will be
downstream in the settling basin flushing will sometimes dewatered zone by the project Siren will be included in
iv
dewatered stretch on the hamper the local people & livestock blown 30 minutes before the release of project
people & wildlife rearing downstream. The dewatered water from the dam by the project staff in operation cost
287
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
zone section is about 5.2 km, the case of emergency release, siren will be
impact could be more sever near to blown continuosly for 1 minutes or more so
the proposed powerhouse. that the locals will aware of the emergency
and can take the preventive measures.
Local people will be given awareness
training to safeguard their cattle from the
flood plain area after the siren is blown.
The impact is relevant in operation Anchor blocks are proposed to cross the
Issues arising due to phase also. Along the 5.2 km long difficult Kholsis and difficult terrain. These
Penstock crossing & waterway has been proposed in this anchor blocks not only will protect the
vi penstock pipe along the difficult and 1,350,000
project structures on project. The headrace tunnel has
springs & water sources proposed along the gentle sensitive terrain but also maintain the
topography. Crossing of Kholsis and natural flow of water from gullies.
difficult terrain in some location is Blockage to the natural flow due to
288
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The professional peoples, students The tourist will not be allowed roaming
from different colleges and even other alone in the
big investors may visit the area to see
Issues related to tourism project area without any personnel of the
how the project is running in its
viii activity and its pressure on project. The materials needed for the
operation phase. This may create
local resources tourist will be made available as far as
pressure in the available local
resources creating problems in the possible so that it does not pressurized the
local dwellers. local resources.
289
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
During project construction daily Local women will be hired to the extent
Issues to indigenous and
x wages labor will be deployed for possible. Similarly, priority to job
vulnerable
excavation, transportation of opportunity will be provided to the people
communities/groups of
construction materials and other of affected indigenous, vulnerable and
290
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Project Area construction related works. The backward group or families in the project
project area also dwells the area in order to raise their living standard.
indigenous group like Gurung and Special training to Women, Dalit, Tamang
Tamang which may be discriminated communities (Disadvantageous groups)
while hiring the workers. In general, and Indigenous groups will be provided
the employment opportunity will be under the Environmental Enhancement
given to all these groups and gender Program.
depending on their skill level.in
development projects.
Total 2,100,000
291
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Mitigation
SN Environmental Domain Cost Remarks
A Physical Environment
Sub-total 5,700,000
B Biological Environment
Sub-total 22,165,000
137,225,62
Sub-total 5
165,090,62
Total (NRs.) 5
Proponent's Commitment
Apart from the proposed mitigation measures in this chapter, the proponent will
compensate affected parties for the loss of lives or properties due to the project
292
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
implementation as per the prevailing law of Nepal. All the mentioned mitigation measures
of identified beneficial & adverse impacts will be fulfilled from the proponent sites. In
additional, the relevant concerns by the stakeholders during public hearing & interaction
meetings will be addressed with mutual understanding with local people. The formation of
one single Dudh Khola Concern Committee that represents the voices of different people
will be foremost things for creating better environment for project construction. The
monitoring unit will identify and document the residual impacts. The Proponent is
committed to mitigate to residual impact from the project after implementing the
proposed mitigation measures.
The construction contractor will be made responsible for undertaking all duties and works
assigned in the construction contract including all specified terms and conditions. The
construction contractor will work closely with the monitoring team, Project owner,
advising team and supervising consultant to ensure all works are performed to specified
standards and all mitigation measures are maintained. The invoice payment of the
contractor will not be paid until the proponent will be satisfied or ensured about the work
done by the contractor to specified norms.
293
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
CHAPTER VIII
COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM
Background
Local people of Ward 5, 6 and 7 of Nashong Rural Municipality is partially affected by the
project. Except for few households in the all project affected wards rest of the people of the
project area are farmers. Main livelihood of the majority of the household is based on the
subsistent agriculture and livestock. Irrespective of the ownership on land, the land around the
habitation is crucial for their livelihood. Grassland, shrub land, forestland and the river flood
plains are the common properties, which provide a number of production and services to the
local communities. The disadvantageous, poor and destitute people are dependent on these
land resources and any effects to these common lands have direct and indirect implications on
the livelihood of these people.
The mitigation measures detailed in Chapter VII Mitigation measures has an objective to
address the livelihood restoration of the affected people at least to the level prior to the project
implementation. The measures for resource restoration, though implemented take long time to
recuperate. The immediate loss of the community resources in any form affects the people at
the bottom of societal status and these are the people who are also economically deprived.
These people though they do not loose directly from the project are affected indirectly in
various ways and normally the development projects do not address their impacts. It is for this
reason the environmental programs have been framed to bring these people within the project
assistance programs while doing services to the community of the area as a whole. Thus,
mitigation enhancement measures are also incorporated by the environmental enhancement
measures.
The focus group discussions and community meetings conducted at various occasions during
EIA study reveal a number of development aspirations from the project area people (Table 8.1)
though provisioning of this development aspiration of the local people is the responsibility of
the government of Nepal. However, for various reasons the GoN is not able to provide these
development needs to local people. The proposed development project, as it is based on the
local water resources; the local area communities demand their development aspirations from
the developer of the project as an exchange for sharing their resource. Besides, many
development lending agencies and the non-governmental organizations also put emphasis for
such projects to contribute to the local development.
The programs designed for implementation, are certainly not going to meet all the aspiration of
the people, however will partially fulfill the aspiration within the limits of the project capacity.
The project intends to implement the environmental enhancement programs as a part of its
corporate responsibility and seek full co-operation from the local communities in the
implementation of the selected programs. The Environmental Enhancement program
formulated in the section below is developed by the proponent to address the various losses of
294
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
the development area communities and also to meet the development aspiration of the local
area communities. The environmental programs designed are more of thematic nature and
ensure to fund the thematic areas as specified in sections below. The programs will be fully
developed within the given budgetary limits in specific locations as identified by thelocal
people and proponent. The project envisages constitution of one Environmental Enhancement
Committee (EEC) combining the all stakeholder, formed in a democratic way by the local
people. The EEC of the affected settlement will have a responsibility to select the specific
program in the chosen thematic development sector. The project will provide support to on the
selected program through EEC.
To give a sense of local ownership to the programs to be implemented on the project support,
allocated funds will be matched with local contribution in cash and kinds. The EEC will have a
responsibility to arrange such matching funds from local contribution and will keep all
documents and accounts related to the supported programs. Such an approach is found to
work effectively in other areas, particularly in the program decision making by the local
community and in operating and maintaining the programs after the completion. To address
the development aspiration of the local people and community, the proponent has planned
various environmental enhancement programs. The programs planned here are basically based
on the outcome of various consultation meeting, focused group discussion and public hearing
carried out with stakeholder, local people and community in different phases of EIA study.
Such outcomes are focused and targeted as the local people are more familiar with the
pragmatic need for the development of their local area. However, some of the programs
proposed here are based on field level study by the EIA team as well.
The programs proposed here will help to accomplish the development requirements of the local
people of the project area located in rural setting in various ways. All these programs will be
developed as a part of corporate social responsibility with active participation of local people,
stakeholder and community incorporating their relevant need and requirement. The
enhancement programs are prioritized for Ward 5, 6 and 7 of Nashong Rural Municipality. The
proposed programs of environmental enhancement will help to support sustainable socio-
economic activities in the project area, improve the living standard of the local communities,
benefit local residents and encompass the atmosphere of trust to the project. All these will play
a key role in balancing environment, society and the corporate business. The programs will be
fully developed within the given budgetary limits in specific locations as identified by the local
area communities of the projects affected settlements, Apart from the above, the EEC will have
a function of monitoring of the project activities on behalf of the project area people and
provide inputs to the project Environmental and Social Unit (ESU) for better environmental
and social performance.
Table 8-1: Development Aspiration of the Local communities of the Project Area
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
296
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Other building
AffectedWard Blackboards Sports and playground
s (NRs) Furniture (NRs) NRs) support (NRs) Total
297
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Assistance to the existing road improvement & new road construction within the Project wards
The project understands this aspiration of the locals of Ward 5, 6 and 7 of Nashong Rural
Municipality and will support the communities of these settlements on this regard. However,
the project support will be limited to the alignment survey of the rural roads, preliminary
design and cost estimations and provisioning of bulldozer for track opening for allocated
period of time only for establishment of new road. The EEC of the project affected wards will
be responsible for the selection of the road and request of bulldozer for the specified allocated
time to open the road corridor. The estimated budget for existing road improvement & new
construction of road in the affected wards is presented in Table 8.5. The project will not
contribute in cash to the EEC for any of the above support. The foot trail development however
will be support in cash to the EEC and no match fund is required.
Table 8-5: Cost Estimates for Rural Road Assistance
Establishment
Alignment Bulldozer Cash of
Affected wards survey (NRs) Support support drainage system Total
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Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
DKHP will launch various programs, training and campaign that will ultimately empowered
women and other disadvantages groups. The project will allocate NRs 1100000 for the
Empowerment of women and disadvantages groups.
Suppot for bridge construction
DKHP will support in the construction of brige The project will allocate NRs 1,000,000 for the
construction of Bridge.
Support to local community based organizations
DKHP will also support various local community organizations that are working on project
affected area. This will help in strengthening the capacity of local organizations. The project
will allocate NRs 2,500,000 for the support to the locals.
Support to members of CF
DKHP will also users of CF through activities like enhancement plantation, training related to
NTFPs, MAPs and their livelihood training. The project has allocated NRs. 1500,000 for this
programs.
Other activities for community development
DKHP will also help in overall development of settlements. These activities will be determined
on interaction of local and proponent of DKHP during its operation stage. The project will
allocate NRs 4,000,000 for other community developmental works.
Project Share
The porponent is also commited to provide the 10% paid share right to the local people.
Nashong Rural Municipality will be consulted before issuing the paid share right to local
people.
Cost Summary of Community Supprot Program
The cost summary for Community Supprot Program is summarized in Table 8.6
Table 8-6: Cost Summary for Community Support Program
Allocated Cost
SN CSP Program (Rs.)
299
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total 66,300,000
300
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT
Background
Nashong Rural Municipality is the affected rural municipality because of the construction of
the project. As all the project components lies in Nashong Rural Municipality ward no: 5,6 and
7.
Main livelihood of the majority of the household is based on the subsistent agriculture and
livestock. Irrespective of the ownership on land, the land around the habitation is crucial for
their livelihood. Grassland, shrub land, forestland and the river flood plains are the common
properties, which provide a number of production and services to the local communities. The
disadvantageous, poor and destitute people are dependent on these land resources and any
effects to these common lands have direct and indirect implications on the livelihood of these
people.
The mitigation measures detailed in Chapter VII of the projects has an objective to address the
livelihood restoration of the affected people at least to the level prior to the project
implementation. The measures for resource restoration, though implemented take long time to
recuperate. The immediate loss of the community resources in any form affects the people at
the bottom of societal status and these are the people who are also economically deprived.
These people though they do not loose directly from the project are affected indirectly in
various ways and normally the development projects do not address their impacts. It is for this
reason the environmental programs have been framed to bring these people within the project
assistance programs while doing services to the community of the area as a whole. Thus
mitigation enhancement measures are also incorporated by the environmental enhancement
measures.
The focus group discussions conducted at various occasions during EIA study reveal a number
of development aspirations from the project area people (Table 8.1). Though provisioning of
this development aspirations of the local people is the responsibility of the government of
Nepal. However, for various reasons the government of Nepal is not able to provide these
development needs to local people. The proposed development project, as it is based on the
local water resources; the local area communities demand their development aspirations from
the developer of the project as an exchange for sharing their resource. Besides, many
development lending agencies and the nongovernmental organizations also put emphasis for
such projects to contribute to the local development.
The programs designed for implementation, are certainly not going to meet all the aspiration of
the people, however will partially fulfill the aspiration within the limits of the project capacity.
The project intends to implement the environmental enhancement programs as a part of its
corporate responsibility and seek full cooperation from the local communities in the
implementation of the selected programs. The Environmental Enhancement program
formulated in the section below is developed by the proponent to address the various losses of
301
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
the development area communities and also to meet the development aspiration of the local
area communities which is also CSR of the project. The environmental programs designed are
more of thematic nature and ensure to fund the thematic areas as specified in sections below.
The programs will be fully developed within the given budgetary limits in specific locations as
identified by the local area communities of the project affected RM. The project envisages
constitution of one Environmental Enhancement Committee (EEC) combining the all
stakeholders of the Nashong RM in a democratic way by the local people. The EEC of the
affected RM will have a responsibility to select the specific programme in the chosen thematic
development sector. The project will provide support to on the selected program through EEC.
To give a sense of local ownership to the programs to be implemented on the project support,
allocated funds will be matched with local contribution in cash and kinds. The EEC will have a
responsibility to arrange such matching funds from local contribution and will keep all
documents and accounts related to the supported programs. Such an approach is found to
work effectively in other areas, particularly in the program decision making by the local
community and in operating and maintaining the programs after the completion. To address
the development aspiration of the local people and community, the proponent has planned
various environmental enhancement programmes. The programmes planned here are basically
based on the outcome of various consultation meeting, focused group discussion and public
hearing carried out with stakeholder, local people and community in different phases of EIA
study. Such outcomes are focused and targeted as the local people are more familiar with the
pragmatic need for the development of their local area. However, some of the programmes
proposed here are based on field level study by the EIA team as well.
The programmes proposed here will help to accomplish the development requirements of the
local people of the project area located in rural setting in various ways. All these programmes
will be developed as a part of corporate social responsibility with active participation of local
people, stakeholder and community incorporating their relevant need and requirement. The
enhancement programme are prioritized for Nashong RM wad no 5,6 and 7 as all of the project
structures and facilities apart from weir, stockpiling and muck disposal area are situated in this
wards and these wards will be susceptible to direct adverse impacts of both project
construction and operation phase. The proposed programmes of environmental enhancement
will help to support sustainable socioeconomic activities in the project area, improve the living
standard of the local communities, benefit local residents and encompass the atmosphere of
trust to the project. All these will play a key role in balancing environment, society and the
corporate business. The programmes will be fully developed within the given budgetary limits
in specific locations as identified by the local area communities of the three projects affected
RM. Apart from the above, the EEC will have a function of monitoring of the project activities
on behalf of the project area people and provide inputs to the project Environmental and Social
Unit (ESU) for better environmental and social performance.
Table 81: Development Aspiration of the Local communities of the Project Area
302
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Sector Nashong RM
Health Providing financial support for buying land for health post
especially focus for ward no 5,6 and 7of Nashong RM
Water Supply Support for the safe drinking water and provide financial support
for construction of water tank at for the locals especially focus for
ward no 5,6 and 7of Nashong RM
Employment The project should give priority to local people for employments
Opportunity in the proposed project based on their skill and capability.
Project should provide special focus for Dalits, Janajatis and
other marginalized people of Nashong RM for employment
opportunity and other project benefit schemes.
Project should provide them with paid share right for local people
Project Share as well as Dalits.
Others Follow ILO 1609 rules and regulation during construction and
operation of DKHP
303
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
304
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
305
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
support. The foot trail development however will be support in cash to the CEC and no match
fund is required.
Table 83: Cost Estimates for Rural Road Assistance
Alignment Establishment
Bulldozer
Affected RM survey Cash support of drainage Total
Support
(NRs) system
NashongRM
(Upgrading
road from Saiti 2,000,00
2,000,000
ghatta to 0
Milanchowk
NashongRM)
Saiti ghatta to
Ramche (es-
200,000 10,0000 100,000 1,300,000
tablishment of
new road)
3,300,00
Total
0
306
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total 8,150,000
307
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
309
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Terrestrial Ecology:
Social:
Environmental Standards
There are very few environmental standards endorsed by MoPE and other GoN line agencies.
Except for vehicular emissions standards and tolerance limits for inland effluent discharge,
most of the environmental pollution standards, are in the formulation process. Considering the
above situation following environmental standards are proposed for DKHP construction and
operation. These environmental standards shall be treated as other acts and regulations until
GoN enforces standards in the specified sector for the project environmental compliance
propose.
Table 9-1: Standards for Effluents Discharged into Inland Waters from the Construction Sites
and Camps
312
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
*Note: 24 hourly values shall be met 95% of the time in a year. 18 days per calendar year the
standard may be exceeded but not on two consecutive days.
**Note: 24 hourly standards for NO2 and SO2 and 8 hours standard for CO are not to be
controlled before MOPE has recommended appropriate test methodologies. This will be done
before 2005.
***Note: If representativeness can be proven, yearly averages can be calculated from PM10
samples from selected weekdays from each month of the year.
****Note: To be re-evaluated by 2005.
Two-Wheelers 4.5% CO
7,800 ppm HC*
Diesel - Up to 1994 • 75 HSU
After 1994 • 65 HSU
3.0% CO*
LPG/CNG All categories
1,000 ppm HC*
Source Nepal Gazette, BS 2054-9-8, Ministry of Works and Transport' Nepal Gazette, BS
2057-7-7, Ministry of Population and Environment
CO - carbon monoxide; HC - Hydrocarbon; HSU - Hertridge Smoke Unit
Table 9-5 : Proposed Noise Exposure Limits for the Work Environment
313
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Table 9-6: Proposed Average Equivalent Sound Levels Recommended to Protect the Public
Health and Welfare of the Project Site Communities
314
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
315
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
MOPE DDCs
MOEn DKHP RM
MOFSC NGOs
DNPWC CBOs
ACA DKHP Project UGs (CFUG,
Management IUG, WSUG
DOF
Office etc)
DOED
PAF
DFO Environmental Scientist
Construction Phase
316
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
MoPE
Environment
DKHP Department
MOEn
MOFSC
Project Management DOED
Office
DOF
DNPWC
ESU ACA
RMs
DFO
ESISU ESMSU
CBOs
NGOs
MOPE DDCs
MOEn DKHP RM
MOFSC NGOs
DNPWC CBOs
ACA DKHP Project UGs (CFUG,
Management IUG, WSUG
DOF
Office etc)
DOED
PAF
DFO Environmental and Social
Scientists
317
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The main roles and responsibilities of different part lie in the various phases of project development are briefly presented in
Table 9.8.
Table 9-8: Roles and Responsibilities of the Stakeholders
318
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
319
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
320
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Ensure that the EIA measures are incorporated in the Prior to contract award
final project design and tender documents of project
construction and operation
Proponent and
Monitoring and record keeping regarding environmental During
4. its institutional line measures and impacts. construction, and
offices operation
Ensure public participation and involvement in project
implementation and operation.
During construction, and
operation
Compilation of environmental monitoring and
performance report and dispatch for review through
proponent to stakeholders Every 2 months during
construction
321
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
322
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Engineers improvement
324
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Committees with comments and suggestions and assist proponent in Prior to proposal
the project implementation implementation
326
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Ensure that transparency in the project activities are Regularly during construction
maintained by all the concerned stake- holders as per EIA and operation
report and commitments
328
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
The project ESU shall be established at least six months before the project's civil construction
award. The ESU shall function directly under the Project Manager but the ESMSU will have a
responsibility to co-ordinate with the project's Supervising Consultant, Whereas ESISU will
coordinate with ESU coordinator and stakeholders of the project such as Local RM, DDCs,
NGOs, CBOs, affected parties, DoED, MOEn, MoPE and Environment Department.
The organizational framework of the ESISU for project pre-construction and construction
phase and its staffing is presented in Figure 9.3 and 9.4.
330
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
332
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
decision in a timely manner as decided. The environmental officer will be responsible for
processing and placing all papers before the GRC, recording decisions, issuing minutes of the
meetings, and taking follow-up action to ensure that formal orders are issued and decisions are
carried out.
If each of the above measures fails, the affected person can seek legal redress of the grievance
in the appropriate courts, which is the formal legal court system as outlined in the
Environment Protection Rule.
Disaster Risk and Emergency Preparedness Management Plan
All possible disaster prone areas due to the project activities will be identified and considered
for treatment. The following measures will be followed:
Formulation of Disaster Risk Reduction and coping team in project.
Disaster prone areas such as landslide hazard zone, river flood plain areas, etc will be
identified.
Along the flood plain areas, the project components will be checked and regular maintenance
will be done.
Protection measures in the landslide prone areas and areas with risk of floods and soil erosion.
Engineering techniques like bioengineering, gabion walls, retaining walls, drainage
managements.
Alraming and Training to task group will be given to cope with disasters and emergency.
Occupational Health Safety and Environmental Safety will be made strict for the
implementation.
Environmental Mitigation Management Plan
The environmental mitigation measures described in chapter VII will be implemented in
different phases of proposal implementation. Environmental management actions to be
undertaken and to be adopted for the realization of mitigation measures for Pre-construction,
Construction, Post Construction and Operation Phases are presented in the Table 9.9, 9.10,
9.11 and 9.12. The Environmental Mitigation Management Plan briefly describes impacts,
description of mitigation action required, individual or agency responsible, national standards
and guidelines, timing of actions, responsible authority, and tentative financial requirements.
333
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
National Competen
Individuals Standards or Timing of t Mitigation Costs
S.N Mitigation Measures Authority/ (NRs)
responsible Guidelines Actions
Approved agency
334
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
336
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
National
Standard
s Competen
Individual
s /Agency Or Timing of t Mitigation Costs
S.N Impact Mitigation Measures Authority/ (NRs)
respon- Guideline Actions
sible s/ agency
Approved
Documen
ts
337
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Topographic occurred. n
changes at
headwork,
about 5.2 km Landscaping of the muck
water and spoil disposal sites
conveyance will be carried out.
way,
powerhouse
Such land will be soon
sites quarry
rehabilitated.
sites, spoil and
muck disposal Bio-engineering and
sites etc plantation to such area
will be done to stabilized
land.
Construction materials
will be stored in Intake
sites and powerhouse
For the lease land
sites in temporarily leased
price will be
land.
allocated.
Progressive
Storage of
Contracto ly during
A.1.1.3 construction EIA ESMSU
Appropriate r constructio
materials (Incorporated the
compensation will be n price in
provided for the land
socioeconomic
The leased land used for environment)
stockpiling will be
restored into original
shape to the extent
338
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
possible.
The Government land will
be rehabilitated.
Enforce establishment of
Landslide and
runoff drainage. During
soil erosion due Contracto (Included in Project
A.1.1.4 EIA constructio ESMSU
to excavations r civil cost)
n
works Prohibit side casting of
the excavated material
down the slope.
Bioengineering at the
vulnerable slopes.
339
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Prohibition of spoil
disposal in the
unauthorized areas.
Preparation of spoil
management plan and
approval by the
competent project During
Muck/spoil personnel which beside Contracto EIA (Included in Project
A.1.1.6 constructio ESMSU
disposal other shall include the r civil cost)
n
followings.
340
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
monsoon
341
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
342
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
343
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
344
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
During
A.1.1.1 Minimize top soil Contracto EIA Included in project
Loss of top soil constructio ESMSU
6 clearance in the camps, r civil cost
n
mechanical yards,
batching plants and
storage.
Sites.
345
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total (Construction Phase cost) for Adverse Impacts of Physical and Chemical Environment = NRs.
3,000,000
II. Operation Phase for Physical and Chemical Environment Adverse Issues
346
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Sound proof
Noise and Restriction on the uses of Horns.
Progressive and noise
Vibration in
A.1.119 Proponent EIA ly during ESMSU controlled
power house Procurements of low noise
equipments. operation system will be
area
installed
Control in blasting charge.
347
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
noise potentials.
Change in
microclimate Progressive
Residual Impacts, project cannot No mitigation
A.1.1.22 in the Proponent EIA ly during ESMSU
do anything for it cost
dewatered operation
stretch
348
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
maintained in operation no
mitigation measures are given.
Total (Operation Phase cost) for Adverse Impacts of Physical and Chemical Environment = NRs. 2,700,000
forest office
Technical and Financial
assistance to the affected
community forests and ACA
Loss of forest
and
During Mitigation cost
vegetation
A.1.2.2 Same as above ESISU EIA constructio ESMSU already
due to
n included above
construction
of access
Increase in
During
demand for Encourage to use kerosene or LP
A.1.2.3 ESISU EIA constructio ESMSU 500,000
firewood and gas to meet its fuel requirements
n
timber
350
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
activities
The project activities will be
regularized according to the
prevailing legislation mainly
related to the forest acts, aquatic
animal’s protection act, forestry
regulation, etc. to avoid illegal
activities
351
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
352
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Disturbance During
Contracto Included in
A.1.2.11 to aquatic Same as above EIA con- ESMSU
r contract bid
fauna struction
353
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
354
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
stream
Disturbance
Unnecessary movement of Progressive
to habitats of Propone Included in
A.1.2.15 operation phase work force will Operators EIA ly during
wildlife nt contract bid
be controlled. operation
habitat
355
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Issues
Siren will be blown for 30 Will be
sudden Progressive
minutes and at least 3 times included in
A.1.2.18 release of Proponent EIA ly during ESMSU
before the release of water from project
water operation
the dam by the project staff. operation cost.
downstream
356
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
placements.
Establish “Catch and haul”
program.
A.1.3.1 Acquisition Compensation at the market ESISU EIA 3 months ESMSU The project had
357
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
of land, and price of the lost assets by mutual prior to already bought
other private understanding constructio the private land
property n
A.1.3.4 Issue in Camp site management and ESISU EIA During ESMSU Included in
358
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
359
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
illegal brothels.
Distribution of free condoms and
free regular health checkup.
Establishment of separate
services for the camps and
construction sites.
360
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
361
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
362
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
363
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Issues
arising due
During
to canal The mitigation is proposed in
Con- Included in civil
A.1.3.14 structures on construction phase, it is more or ESISU EIA ESMSU
struction cost
springs and less similar
period
water
sources
364
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total (Construction Phase Cost ) of Adverse Impacts for Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment = NRs. 2,034,255
365
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Administrative controls
OHS Training to the
Construction Workforce
Provision of First Sid Station
Establish and maintain the safety
sighs in all construction sites and
camps.
Establish and maintain
firefighting equipments in all
Occupation construction sites and camps Will be
Progressive
Health and Propone included in
A.1.3.18 Periodic Health Checkups Operators EIA ly during
Safety nt project
operation
Hazards Provisioning of personnel operation cost.
protective equipments
Provisions of field hospitals and
ambulance
Supervision and monitoring of
the occupational safeguard
practices at work sites.
Emergency preparedness and
response in case of accidents or
major construction risks.
A.1.3.19 Reduction of The temporarily used land will be Contracto EIA During ESMSU Include in
366
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
367
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
project
structures on Therefore, no additional
springs and mitigation measures are
water proposed.
sources
Drying up of such sources are not
anticipated.
Dislocation
Issue already addressed in
/disturbance Progressive
construction phase no additional Included in civil
A.1.3.22 to foot trails Proponent EIA ly during ESMSU
impacts during operation phase cost
along canal operation
so no additional mitigation
alignment
368
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
given
Total (Operation Phase Cost ) of Adverse Impacts for Socioeconomic and Cultural Environment = NRs. 2,100,000
369
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
S. Individua Financial
Indicator ls Methods Frequency/Time Place commit-
N
ment
responsib
Ambient air le High volume 24 hrs/ once Near (NRs.)
1 quality for ESMSU air sample prior to start of Headwork, 200,000
TSP/PM10 /Low volume construction Adit and
(ug.m3) air sampler Powerhouse
sites
370
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
371
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Table 9-12: Compliance Monitoring, Pre-construction, Construction, Post construction and Operation Phase construction
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
A. Pre-construction Phase
Included in
Approval from the Divisional
2 forest Office of the forest areas ESMSU Approval Document Once Site office construction
required for the project management
372
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
8 Contractor submit the spoil ESMSU Submission documents Once Site office Included in
disposal and rehabilitation plan to
373
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
374
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
B. Construction Phase
Adverse Issues
Employment records/
Priority employment in the project
13 ESMSU consultation with local 2 months Site office
and other rehabilitation support
people
15 Rental fees equivalent to one year ESMSU Payment receipts, 6 months Site office Included in
agricultural production to land consultation with local Project construction
375
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
376
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
377
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Awareness training to project records/ consultation
31 ESMSU 2 months Site office construction
personnel with project personnel
management
33 The project personnel will be ESMSU records/ consultation 2 months Site office Included in
construction
378
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Establishment of a centrally Project
37 ESMSU Direct observation 2 months construction
located health service facility site
management
379
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
42 Organize regular safety instruction ESMSU Direct observation 2 months Project Included in
380
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
381
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
records/ consultation
Local governments and local law with Included in
and order authorities will be Project
50 ESMSU local government and 2 months construction
informed if visit to Brothels are site
law and order management
discovered.
authorities
382
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Adverse Issues
383
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
384
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Prohibition of spoil disposal in the direct Project construction
63 ESMSU Daily
unauthorized areas observation,/records site managemen
t
385
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Appropriate drainage will be
direct Project construction
65 established around the spoil ESMSU Monthly
observation,/records site managemen
disposal
t
Included in
Prohibition to excavation at
direct Project construction
68 quarry forming steep slopes ESMSU Monthly
observation,/records site managemen
(above 70 degree)
t
386
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
387
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Adverse Issue
388
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
389
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Individuals Financial
Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
390
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
391
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
392
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Disposal of spoil mucks will be direct Project
87 ESMSU Daily construction
prohibited in unauthorized areas observation,/records site
management
Adverse Issues
393
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
394
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Surface blasting operations will be direct Project
94 ESMSU Daily construction
limited to only day time zone observation,/records site
management
Included in
Meat of wildlife in the camps will direct Project
97 ESMSU Daily construction
be strictly prohibited observation,/records site
management
395
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Unauthorized spoil disposal in the direct Project
100 ESMSU Daily construction
river flood plain will be prohibited observation,/records site
management
396
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
direct Project
108 The quarry sites and burrow pit ESMSU Monthly Included in
sites are rehabilitated as per the observation,/records site construction
397
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
direct Project
112 The engineers give certificates of ESMSU Monthly Included in
rehabilitation of all sites before the observation,/records site construction
398
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
direct Project
114 School and Campus support ESMSU Monthly construction
observation,/records site
management
Included in
direct Project
115 Health Care Facility Support ESMSU Monthly construction
observation,/records site
management
Included in
Safe Drinking Water Supply direct Project
116 ESMSU Monthly construction
Support observation,/records site
management
399
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
direct Project
118 Infrastructures support ESMSU Monthly construction
observation,/records site
management
D. Operation Phase
Adverse Issues
400
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Adverse Issues
Adverse Issues
401
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
402
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Adverse Issues
E. Beneficial Issues
I. Construction Phase
records/ direct
The main access road leading to Project Included in
observation,
128 the project site will be regularly ESMSU 2 months construction
discussions with the site
maintained by the project management
local communities
records/ direct
Project will give preference to the Project Included in
observation,
129 local surplus produce in the camps ESMSU 2 months construction
discussions with the site
consumable goods management
local communities
130 Project will assist local ESMSU records/ direct 2 months Project Included in
government in the organization of observation, construction
403
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
404
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Included in
Afforestation as per forest Project direct Afforestati
134 monthly construction
guideline will be implemented Manager observation/records on area
management
405
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
Individuals Financial
Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
406
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/Ti
S.N Provisions for compliance Methods Place commitment
responsible me
(NRs.)
requirement
records/ direct
The project at all times will act Project Included in
observation,
142 responsibly to enhance the local ESMSU 2 months construction
discussions with the site
tax and revenue collection management
local communities
407
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Table 9-13: Impact Monitoring, Pre-construction, Construction, Post construction and Operation Phase
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Construction Phase
Interviews ,
Livelihood conditions of
observation, and After two three All directly Included in
the affected people by
1 ESMSU administering years of land project affected construction
land and property
structured acquisition HH management
acquisition
questionnaires
Interviews ,
observation, and
Quality of Life of the Every year Affected Included in
administering
2 affected ESMSU during project construction
structured RM
communities/RM construction management
questionnaires to
selected groups
408
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
409
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Every six
People perception of Discussions with the Included in
months during Project affected
10 environmental ESMSU beneficiary of construction
project con- RM
enhancement programs enhancement programs management
struction
Shift in cultural
Every six
practices and traditions Included in
Direct observation and months during Project affected
11 or cultural conflicts ESMSU construction
community discussions project RM
between locals and management
construction
outsiders
410
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Spoil disposal
sites
Quarry sites,
headwork,
powerhouse site,
Erosion of soil and Every months Included in
spoil disposal
13 deposition in down ESMSU Direct observation during project construction
sites, access
slopes construction management
roads, aggregate
crushing and
storage sites
Instrumental
measurements of noise Every 4 months Powerhouse,
Increase in noise
15 ESMSU A weighted averages during Adit and Head- 750,000
pollution
(dBA) by noise level construction work sites
meters
16 Water Quality of Dudh ESMSU Direct observation Every day Dudh Khola- 120,000
411
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Effluent
discharges from
camps, adits,
Sample collection and aggregate
Every 6 months
Water quality of laboratory testing for washing plant,
18 ESMSU during 240,000
effluents the standards desander,
construction
parameters. powerhouse,
spoil disposal
site, batching
plants
412
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Instrumental mea-
surements of air quality Every 6 months Timure/ and
21 Ambient air quality ESMSU by igh or low volume during Ghattekhola 240,000
samples for standards construction
gaon,
parameters.
Instrumental
months canal included in
22 Canal air quality ESMSU Every
measurement of
during project working contractor
parameters for
413
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Biological Environment
Included in
Every months
Directly project
23 Nos. of species cleared ESMSU Records of clearance during project ESMSU
affected sites
construction costs
Every months
Records of clearance of Directly project Included in
24 Nos. of species cleared ESMSU during project
species affected sites ESMSU costs
construction
Community
Project affected Included in
26 Poaching of wildlife ESMSU consultations, and Every 2 months
RM ESMSU costs
record keepings
414
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Operation Phase
Interviews ,
Livelihood conditions of
observation, and Once , after 2 All directly
the affected people by Project
29 administering years of project project affected 900,000
land and property Manager
structured operation HH
acquisition
questionnaires
Interviews , obser-
vation, and
Quality of Life of the Project Once , after 2
administering
30 affected years of project All affected RM 900,000
Manager structured
communities/RMC operation
questionnaires to
selected groups
31 People perception of Project Discussions with the Once , after 2 Project affected 900,000
environmental Manager beneficiary of years of project RM
415
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Quarry sites,
headwork,
powerhouse site,
Erosion of soil and Project Every six Included in
spoil disposal
33 deposition in down Direct observation months for the operational
Manager sites, access
slopes first five years costs
roads, aggregate
crushing and
storage sites
Chemical Environment
416
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Financial
Individuals Frequency/
S.N Monitoring Indicator Methods Place commitment
responsible Time
(NRs.)
Biological Environment
Afforestation
Status of afforestation Project Records of afforestation Once every 3 area within
35 1,650,000
and survival rate Manager and counting of survival years 30 years project affected
RM and ACA
417
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Total 15,000,000
418
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Impact on asset (private, community and Private land required for the project
c public) will be compensated
419
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Present affected
person/family/household (with gender
e disintegrated data) Refer 4.3.3.1
420
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
b Cost for private structures Standing crops and trees- NRs. 545,450
421
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
management cost
Mitigation Cost
1. Socio economic and Cultural Cost ( Construction Phase ) 2150000
422
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Monitoring Cost
1 Socio economic and Cultural Cost ( Construction Phase )
423
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
424
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Project Impact Audit to examine the environmental changes arising from the project
implementation;
The envisaged environmental audit team will comprise of an environmental expert experienced
in EIA study, monitoring and auditing works as team leader accompanied by a sociologist,
terrestrial ecologist, and aquatic ecologist.
The approach for audit will be a scoping type audit, which will basically rely on the documents
and records starting from approved EIA document and including the bi-monthly monitoring
reports of the project revealing compliance to EIA approval conditions for mitigation
management and impact monitoring recorded database. The PMO will provide all the required
documents including corrective actions provided by the ESMSU, and the stakeholders, action
taken to the comments and suggestions of the stakeholders etc. Apart from the above the audit
team will make a weeklong visit to the project site to directly observe the field conditions and
comprehend with the earlier documented reports and database. Besides, the audit team will
conduct local stakeholder meetings with the affected households and communities and key
informants including the personnel of project operation management office at the site. First
hand monitoring by the audit team for key indicators is not envisioned as these databases are
available in recorded formats with the project management office as per the monitoring
management plan. The detail audit plan for DKHP is shown in Table 9.15.
Table 9-15: Audit Plan for the DKHP
S.
Parameters Location Methods Indicators
N
Physical Environment
Measurement
Headworks Area, laboratory PM10, CO, SOx,
Adit Area, analysis, NOx ;Dust
2 Air quality and
Powerhouse sites, visual inspection accumulated on
access road roofs, vegetation
and surrounding
425
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
area
Headworks Area,
Measurement of
Adit Area,
3 Noise quality noise using Noise
Powerhouse sites, Noise Level
Level Meter
access road
Dudh Khola,
DO, pH, BOD,
downhill from
Analysis of water turbidity, Total
4 Water quality intake site and
samples suspended solid,
downstream to
hardness
tailrace tunnel.
Land use pattern and All the land used Change in the
5 Inspection
land acquisition area by project Land use
Along the
Decrease in
community
Visual vegetation cover,
Change in vegetation forests and river
7 observation and Number of trees
cover flood plain area
counting and shrubs cut
and ACA that is
down from forest
used by project.
Along the
community Visual Nos. of stumps of
forests and river observation cut
8 Numbers of trees fell
flood plain area
and ACA that is and counting Trees
used by project.
426
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Condition of the
Questionnaire
Status of paid out of Acquired land affected people,
12 survey and
compensation owners useful utilization
interview
of compensation
Direct
Employment
observation,
Employment to local record of Project records
13 Questionnaire
people workforces and and local people
survey and
their origin
interview
Direct
observation,
Review of Records of
Water supply and
14 At camp sites, records and complaints,
Sanitation
interview with epidemic disease
workers and local
people
Review of
Health status of Records of health
records and
15 Public health Project Affected post and local
interview with
RM people
local people
Review of
Project contractor
Number of child
16 Child labor employment records and
labor employed
record interview with
local people
427
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Review of
Project workers, contractor
Number and type
Occupational health and and occasional records and
17 of
safety movement of interview with
accidents/diseases
outsider construction
workers
The cost for the environmental audit is estimated at NRs 4,500,000 including remuneration,
daily allowance in the field, photography, stationary, and transportation.
428
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
429
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
In addition to the direct energy sale benefit, the project will provide a number of subsidiary
benefits to the Nepalese people. During construction and operation phase the project has the
potential to:
Promote construction related industrial growth in and around the project areas during the
construction phase,
Promote other industrial growth in the project area and elsewhere in Nepal in the operation
phase,
Provide new job opportunities to the Nepalese people in the project during construction and
operation phase,
Enhance the working skills of the Nepalese in the big construction project like DKHP,
Provide opportunities for construction related training during construction phase,
Promote the subsidiary economic activities in the project area during construction phase,
Promote community development through improvements in social services and infra-
structures such as, development of rural agricultural roads, rehabilitation of irrigation,
upgrading of health and educational institutions, extension of rural electrification,
improvement of communication and transportation service facilities, women development etc.
in the Project Affected Areas and Project Region of Influence during project construction, and
Support community development activities in the project district by contributing one percent
of revenue of the project annually.
The above benefits from the project are expected to enhance the national development
objectives of poverty alleviation, diversification of economic activities, and above all in
improving the social services and quality of life of the Nepalese nationals.
Project Costs
The net present value of the project is NRs. 10,436 million including project financing,
inflation, interest, insurance. The cost for environmental mitigation and improvement
measures is NRs. 22,884,680.00. The project cost might increase due to price increase in
construction materials; labour costs; energy costs and other types of costs that directly or
indirectly influence the project construction and operation.
Resource Loss
Obviously implementation of 65 MW DKHP will have some impacts on natural resource.
Permanent land use change of 9.8 ha land area (loss of total private cultivated land of 3.25 ha
(Private Khet and Bari); change in land use of 0.64 ha river flood plain and 8.15 ha forest area
430
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
of ACA permanently) felling of at least total of (54 pole size tree and 53 tree sized) trees of
different species from the forest area of ACA, are the major resource loss.
On the other hand project will acquire 5 ha land temporarily. Among the temporary land
requirement for the project 3.5 ha of forest area of KCA will be used, and 1.5ha Flood Plains
will be used.
Dewatering of about 4.7 km river stretch of Tamor Khola will have severe impact on the aquatic
life along the river.
Production Loss
The agricultural production losses by the project will be 3.06 Mt. of paddy, 4.59 Mt. of wheat,
4.515 Mt. of maize, 1.935 Mt. of millet in a year by the construction of the project due to
temporary and permanent land acquisition.
Environmental Mitigation.
Monitoring and Environmental Enhancement Costs Table 10.1 summarizes the environmental
mitigation, monitoring and environmental enhancement program costs not included in the
project construction costs. For details of the costs breakdowns refer Chapter VII, VIII and IX.
Table 10-1: Cost Estimates of Environmental Mitigation, Monitoring and Environmental
Enhancement
Enhancement
At. cost 14,100,000
Construction
1 Phase 3000000
B2 Biological Environment
431
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Environmental Monitoring
D. Cost
Impact Monitoring
3 Operation Phase 5,250,000
Environmental Auditing
Et Cost 4500,000
432
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Grand Total
(At+Bt+Ct+Dt+Et+Ft) 255,590,625
10,436,020,766.
Total project Cost 12
CS
P % of total project cost 0.753%
NRs.
Total Revenue from sale from 30 years million 20680.95
433
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
CONCLUSIONS
Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (DKHP) with installed capacity 65 MW will be constructed in
Dudh Khola in Nashong RM of Manang District. The DKHP is runof river scheme has an
installed capacity of 65 MW with mean annual energy of 417.40 GW generation of utilizing the
design flow of 18.05 m3 /s and a gross head of 446.74 m.
The proponent is committed to mitigate the project induced impact on the environment
(physical and chemical, biological, social and cultural aspects). Apart from the generation of
the hydroelectric power, the project will be given number of the benefits such as employment
of the local people, development of the area, reduces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and
boost in the local economy. The proponent intends to carry out number of activities such as
construction related training to the local people, counseling on the proper use of the money,
health and sanitation and income generation activities to enhance the benefit.
The construction and operation of the project will have some adverse impacts on the physical,
biological and socioeconomic and cultural environment of the area. Among the physical
impacts: land acquisition, stock piling of the construction materials, operation of the quarry
site change in water quality, impact change in land use etc. are the major significant impacts of
the project during construction phase. Similarly, impact in microclimate in the dewatered
section, changes in river hydrology and river flow, noise and vibration in powerhouse sites,
changes in water quality due to reduced flow, Leakage of oil, grease and other chemicals etc.
are the major significant impacts of the project during the operation phase
Among the biological impacts: the fell down of 54 pole tree size and 53 tree size trees from the
project area, disturbance to the habitats of wildlife, disturbance to the aquatic habitat etc. are
very significance impacts during construction phase. Similarly, barrier influence on the fish
migration by dewatering, impacts on aquatic habitat along dewatered stretch, impact on
terrestrial wildlife and aquatic wildlife due to sudden release of water from dam etc. are the
major significant impacts of the project during the operation phase
Among the socioeconomic impacts: loss of 3.25 ha of total private cultivable land and
agricultural production losses of 3.06 Mt of paddy, 4.59 Mt. of wheat, 4.515 Mt of maize and
1.935 Mt of millet in a year in a year,
Similarly, loss of 9.8 ha of permanent land, agricultural production losses of 3.06 Mt of paddy,
4.59 Mt. of wheat, 2.94 Mt of maize and 1.26 Mt of millet in a year; withdrawal in economic
activities due to loss of construction related workers tec. are the major significant impacts of
the project during the operation phase
Dewatering of about 5.2 km river stretch of Simbuwa Khola will have severe impact on the
aquatic life along the river.
434
Environmental Impact Assessment of Dudh Khola Hydropower Project (65MW)
Recession of the local economy could be another very significant impact if not dealt properly.
The EIA report has suggested comprehensive compensatory and mitigation measures for the
project induces impacts.
Any issues that are not incorporated in EIA study and identified later will be mitigated by the
project itself. Numbers of environmental concerns have to be reflected in the contract clauses.
Hence, the provisions of this EIA report must be included in the detailed design and the tender
document so that they are implemented. An EMU will be established within the project
organization. The unit will be responsible for the environmental monitoring as envisaged in
this report. Apart from this unit, inter-ministerial monitoring team having representative from
the MoPE , MoEn, MoFSC and DoED will be formed to make an overview of the EMU
activities. Total mitigation cost of the environmental impact has been allocated as NRs
9,304,255 Similarly total cost of the monitoring is estimated at NRs. 2,550,000, it’s
enhancement cost is NRs. 8,150,000 and auditing cost is NRs. 800,000. In total EMP of
SKSHEP is NRs. 22,884,680 which is 13.16% of total project cost.
435