023 Pak Iee 01
023 Pak Iee 01
023 Pak Iee 01
May 2006
Prepared by Irrigation and Power Department, Government of Punjab for the Asian
Development Bank.
ADB TA No. 4425-PAK
Renewable Energy
Development Project
(TAR 34339-01)
In association with
ENTEC AG
ADB TA No. 4425-PAK
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................... 1
Objectives and Approach............................................................................................ 1
Environmental impacts ............................................................................................... 1
Environmental mitigation ............................................................................................ 2
Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 2
I INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 3
A. Purpose and Scope of Environmental Report..................................................... 3
II DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ........................................................ 7
A Type of and Category of the Project ................................................................... 7
B Government Approval Requirements.................................................................. 7
C Location and General Description....................................................................... 7
D. Construction Schedule........................................................................................ 8
III. DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT............................................... 8
A. Provincial Context ............................................................................................... 8
B Physical Environment ......................................................................................... 8
C. Ecological Resources ......................................................................................... 9
1. Wildlife ............................................................................................................ 9
2 Forest Resources.......................................................................................... 10
3. Cropping Patterns ......................................................................................... 10
4 Fish Resources ............................................................................................. 11
D. Socio-Economical and Cultural Environment.................................................... 11
IV CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES .............................................. 12
V SCREENING OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS .................................. 12
A. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures ......................................................... 13
1Positive Impacts............................................................................................ 13
2Loss of Land and Compensation .................................................................. 13
3Loss of Trees and Tree Planting Programme ............................................... 14
B. Construction Impacts ........................................................................................ 15
1 Materials ....................................................................................................... 15
2 Construction Activities................................................................................... 15
3. Access and Traffic ........................................................................................ 16
4. Construction Site and Camp Impacts ........................................................... 16
5. Impacts of Water Quality............................................................................... 16
6 Fish Impacts.................................................................................................. 17
C Impacts and Mitigation of Transmission Lines .................................................. 17
VI. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN AND
INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................ 17
VII. CONCLUSION, FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................... 18
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF MAPS
LIST OF ANNEXES
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
LIST OF ACRONYMS
CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS
Currency Unit Pak Rupee (Rs)
US$1.00 = Rs.60.00
ABBREVIATIONS
ac acre
ft Feet/Foot
ha hectare
km kilometre
m metre
m3 cubic metre
m2 square metre
s seconds
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The potential of Pakpattan Canal Hydropower Project (PCHP) was first identified in
studies undertaken by Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in 1988 and
1992. A Feasibility Study of PCHP was undertaken in 2003 by Hydro Electricity
Planning Organisation (HEPO), of WAPDA and this included an Environmental
Assessment (EA) of the project. The Irrigation and Power Department of Punjab (I&PD)
has been trying to obtain Provincial and Federal Governments’ approval and funding,
but the project remained pending because of non-availability of reliable funding.
The Government of Pakistan has requested loan funding from ADB for a number of
renewable energy projects. ADB is making loan preparations and a PPTA is being
conducted in cooperation with the provincial power cells in Punjab and NWFP and
AEDB as Executing Agency (EA). The PCHP is one of the locations to be reviewed by
the project team for the preparation of the ensuing loan. The other canal sites reviewed
in Punjab under this same TA are close to the settlements of Okara, Sheikupura,
Gujranwala, and Marala. I&PD as the Implementing Agency (IA) will be responsible for
all the sites.
PCHP is a small (3.2 MW) hydropower scheme, which is placed in an existing irrigation
canal. Under ADB guidelines PCHP is a Category B project, and, as such is subject to
an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). The project also requires an IEE under the
Environmental Assessment requirements of the Government of Pakistan. A
resettlement plan was also undertaken as part of the TA.
The project consists of a temporary diversion canal on the right bank of the canal.
Upstream and downstream cofferdams are constructed to allow the powerhouse to be
built. When the powerhouse is completed, the cofferdams are removed and the
diversion canal is filled in and returned to its original land use. The project uses the fall
at this canal to provide a head of 4 m to produce an instantaneous power output of 3.2
MW, and electricity production of 22.71 GWh/year.
Environmental impacts
The WAPDA and HEPO feasibility studies investigated a left bank permanent diversion
of the canal. Alternative alignments and designs have been examined in this TA for the
project. A left bank diversion alternative was rejected as it involves permanent loss of
land and disruption of the local road network. No resettlement is involved and the
environmental impacts of the project, as now proposed, are minimal. There is a
requirement only for the temporary acquisition of 0.2 hectares of farmland.
As the powerhouse will be placed inside an existing canal, with no impact on the
existing canal regime, no impacts are expected during the operation phase of the
project. Local road and access will be improved with a new access constructed across
the canal at the powerhouse site and a new road on the right bank of the existing
canal.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
During construction there will be limited impacts owing to construction of the diversion
canal, cofferdams and a camp for permanent staff. There will also be a temporary
camp for construction labour.
Environmental mitigation
Mitigation measured included in the EMP are as indicated below with a summary of
costs in Table 2.
Conclusions
The Project has very little environmental impact and the impacts identified are only
during the construction phase. The limited impacts can be successfully mitigated by
implementing the EMP attached to the IEE. The IEE and EMP are adequate to ensure
compliance with ADB and GOP environmental safeguards. On the basis of this IEE,
there is no need for a full environmental impact assessment. However I&PD, the
Implementing Agency, (IE) will need to strengthen its capabilities to implement and
monitor the measures in the EMP. This has been designed into the project by requiring
the employment of an Environment and Resettlement Officer (ERO) in I&PD and the
appointment of an environmental & resettlement specialist.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
I INTRODUCTION
2. The PCHP is one of a number of small low head projects, which have been
examined by WAPDA in the past. PCHP is intended to augment the national power
supply and distribution systems in Punjab. At the same time the project will help supply
Pakistan’s overall energy needs.
4. The project makes use of the existing water flow and fall in an established
irrigation canal system. It will not change the water flow characteristics and hydrological
regime of the area. This study looks at the potential impacts of construction and
operation of the project on the Pakpattan Canal and the adjoining area of its influence.
8. The adverse impacts of these low head hydropower projects will be relatively
small because the design for all these projects is similar; the powerhouse of the future
hydropower plants will always be constructed directly in the existing canal bed. A
temporary diversion canal maintains the flow of water in the Canal system for general
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
9. This project, because of its relatively small size of 3.2 MW, is classified as a
Category “B” project, in accordance with ADB Guidelines for environmental
assessment, 2003. An Initial Environmental Assessment (IEE) is required to determine
if there are significant impacts and if a more detailed impact assessment is necessary.
10. The Government of Pakistan has exactly the same environmental assessment
requirement as ADB for hydro projects of less than 50 MW. An IEE submission is
required to the Punjab Provincial EPA by I&PD. A full scale Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) is mandatory only for projects bigger than 50 MW.
11. The Pakpattan Canal is one of three major canals (see Map 1), which are fed
from the Sulermanki barrage, which was constructed between 1921 and 1926 to take
water from the Sutej River for irrigation purposes. The PCHP is on the Pakpattan Canal
and is about 10 km from the town of Pakpattan, which is the District capital. The project
is linked to the District capital by a metalled road, which follows the left bank of the
Pakpattan canal. The right bank has a track for local access down stream of an existing
I&PD rest house area.
12. The site chosen for the powerhouse location is approximately 500 m
downstream of an existing fall structure and road bridge.
13. The main elements of the project and project construction (see Map 2) are as
follows:
14. The upstream canal banks are remodelled, raised and protected with stone
plastering and geo-textile and a 4 m wide road is constructed at the crest of both of the
upstream embankments. The design discharge of the powerhouse is 82 m3/s with a
maximum discharge of 112.6 m3/s. Access for construction will be via a road
constructed on the right bank of the canal. All roads will be sealed prior to completion
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
of the project. Throughout the construction stages unhampered canal flow for irrigation
purposes will be ensured in the canal.
D. Construction Schedule
A. Provincial Context
16. Punjab forms part of Indus Basin Watershed System. The landscape of the
whole Province has been so changed by human activity that hardly any of the original
habitat of thorn forests, swamps and riverine plantations remains. The irrigated plains
of Punjab today constitute the largest canal system in the world and with the
conversion of habitat to agriculture, a number of highly distinctive agro-ecosystems
exist and the Forestry Master Plan of 1992 identifies nine such zones.
17. Various protected areas are spread across the Punjab province but none are
close to the project area.
B Physical Environment
18. The project is located in a plain area, which is irrigated through a network of
canals and which has extensive crop cultivation. Pakpattan Canal runs at a slightly
raised elevation on the right side of the Sutlej River. The area is bounded on the north
by the old bed of Bias River. Average elevation of the project district is barely 150 m
above sea level.
19. The area falls in the moist temperate zone and receives rains in the summer
monsoon. Some residual precipitation is also received in the winter months through
western Mediterranean winds. The area gets nearly 205.5 mm1 precipitation/annum,
with maximum in July of 87.7 and minimum in November of 2.6 mm. The lowest and
highest values of mean monthly maximum temperature are 5.9 C and 42° C during the
months of January and June respectively.
20. The soils of the project are characterised as alluvium deposits of sandy-loam
and sandy-silt. These soils are generally well drained and exhibit no signs of water
logging and salinity.
1
Bahawainaga rainfall records between 1963 & 2001
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
21. The Pakpattan Canal delivers a uniform irrigation water flow for 11 months of
the year. The local population of the project area uses water from the canal for a
number of purposes like washing, bathing and drinking. Canal water for drinking
purposes has been reported in the lower reaches of the system where soils are not well
drained and considerable problems of water logging and salinity persist. Most of the
households (HH) in the immediate project area have local hand pumps for their every
day needs. The proposed project will neither bring any changes to the existing
hydrological regime nor will it affect the local communities’ day-to-day canal water
usage other than some potential reduction in water quality during the construction
phase. A significant load of suspended solids is carried by canal water in the shape of
silt for which no sampling data is available2.
22. It has also been reported that considerable quantities of toxic industrial effluents
are being discharged into Sutlej River, without any treatment, Chonian Industrial Estate
being the main source. A sizeable quantity of such effluents is also coming from India
through Fazilka Drain. Although no water testing report of this canal has been found,
but it has been characterised as unfit for human consumption3.
24. Various construction materials will be required for the project, including burnt
bricks, sand and aggregate etc. Apart from bricks, no other material is available in the
immediate project area and aggregate and sand has to be imported from external
sources. However, significant space for the storage of construction material is available
on site, within the canal right of way.
C. Ecological Resources
1. Wildlife
25. Because of extensive cultivations, high population and human activities, there is
little wildlife in the project area. However, the local population as well as Wildlife
Department have reported some fauna. The following is the wildlife profile of Pakpattan
District, in general:
• Birds: The commonly found birds of the area are hawk (Accipiter badius
cenchroides), kite (Milvus migrans govinda), parrot (Paleornis torquata),
partridge (Fvancolinus pondoceraianus mecrranesis) and common crow
2
Ibid, Sediments, paragraph 7.2.1.7.
3
Ibid, Water Quality and Uses, paragraph 7.2.1.2.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
• Reptiles: Because of hot and humid climate of the region, some population of
reptiles have also been reported from the project area. Reptilian and amphibian
fauna is not well documented. However, local people have reported that snakes
and lizards are common in the region.
2 Forest Resources
27. The entire Pakpattan District has no natural forests, mainly due to vast
agricultural activities. Until a few decades ago Sutlej River was well known for riverain
forests, known as Bela forests, which have almost become extinct due to lack of water.
Except a small patch of Arifwala irrigated plantations of 1,575 acres, the district has no
other reserved forests. However, according to an old provincial notification, the trees
along canals, provincial highways and rural roads are the responsibility of the forest
department, which fall in the category of reserved forests.
28. The canal segment of the project has few trees, and there has been little effort
to develop linear plantations along the canal system. Most of the trees are old and
mature, and rosewood, Sheesham (Dilbergia sisoo) is mostly diseased due to some
fungal attack4. The dominant tree species in this zone are Sheesham (Dilbergia sisoo),
Keekar (Acacia arabica), Peeloo (Salvadora persica), Bohar (Ficus religiosa), Gaz
(Tamarix indica), Nim (Azadrichta indica), Eucalyptus and Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora),
the last two being the exotic species and mesquite has suppressed endemic species to
a great extent. The endemic species of Peeloo and Bohar are reported to be
endangered, as the forest department is not propagating the same, and similarly the
wild berry (Zizyphus numularia) has almost become extinct.
29. Local farmers are practicing a small degree of farm-forestry in the project area
to meet their fuel-wood and other day-to-day needs. The common species in such
plantations are Poplar (Populus alba), Eucalyptus, Keekar (Acacia arabica), mulberry
(Morus alba) and Jamun (Syzygium cumini).
3. Cropping Patterns
30. Ever since the irrigation canal system was developed, cotton, rice, sugarcane
and wheat have been the main crops. During more recent times cropping patterns in
the entire region have witnessed further major changes. Cotton had always been the
major cash crop, which earned foreign exchange for the country. Due to some serious
pest/viral attack, farmers have sustained major losses, and over the last decade, cotton
cultivation has almost been replaced by maize. Currently, as many as three maize
crops per annum are being cultivated.
4 This viral attack is throughout South Asia, commonly known as “Sheesham Die Back”. A
considerable amount of research work is underway for finding the causes of this infection and
its remedial measures, with no coordination amongst other countries of the region.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
32. Because of hot and humid weather, Pakpattan District is also famous for its fruit
production, which includes mango, guava, banana, oranges and watermelons.
4 Fish Resources
33. It is reported by the Fisheries Department that the main fish species found in
Pakpattan Canal are Gulfam (Cyprinus carpio), Rahoo (Lebeorohita sp) and Mohri
(Crhinus miragata). It has also been stated that the Department has conducted no
methodical fish surveys of fresh water streams and canals in the recent past,. Because
of the construction of several barrages on the river network, migratory species like
Khagga, Bam and Pamphlait have almost become extinct in Punjab waters and Soal
and Shangri are considered to be highly endangered.
34. By virtue of the discharge of toxic industrial effluents (from Fazilka and Saleem
Shah drains, coming from India, and from the Chonian Industrial Estate of Pakistan),
the fish population has also reduced. In the month of January the canal is closed down
for annual repair, maintenance and de-silting purposes. In this period the toxic effluents
do not get diluted, resulting in considerable damage to young fish spawn. It is at this
time that fishing contracts are awarded and the contractors take the fish before the
canal dries out. In this way the entire fish population in the canal is destroyed annually.
37. Kumhariwala is the closest village to the project site. It is a fairly modern village
by Pakistani standards with domestic electrification, drinking water supply, a basic
health unit, eight private maternity homes and clinics, and 12 schools (separate for
boys and girls), including two private English Medium Middle Schools (Co-Education -
Boys & Girls). In addition, the village has four religious Madrassa (schools), locally
called “Daras”, and two Training Centres for Women (embroidery, sewing and knitting
activities).
38. Kumhariwala village has a total land area of 720 ha, of which about 680 ha is
cultivable using canal and tube well water. The remaining 40 ha is covered by village
housing. The irrigated farmlands are cropped mainly with wheat and rice with some
potato, sugarcane, fodder and vegetables.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
39. The average farm-size is small and for many it is below the minimum economic
unit of 5.0 ha. Thus, many villagers whether landowners, tenants or the landless also
depend on various off-farm income sources for their living including working in the
industrial hubs of Pakistan as well as in oil rich Gulf States.
40. The adult population of Kumhariwala village is fairly well educated. The literacy
rate for men is 45% and for women is 25%. Women participate equally in the farming
activities and work as schoolteachers in the village schools and as paramedical staff at
the private maternity home in the village. Women are also working on a commercial
basis at their homes, producing mostly the embroidery items for sale in the towns.
41. The main Kumhariwala village has a small market consisting of 37 shops for
selling groceries, clothing, vegetables, fruit, candies, milk, meat, stationary, medicines,
etc. The village also provides various traditional and technical services, like tailoring,
shoe mending, hair-cutting, etc.
42. Income levels for the people of Kumhariwala village are shown in the Table
below:
IV CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVES
43. This TA Feasibility studied 10 alternative solutions for the project. These
alternatives consisted of the examination of:
44. The design investigated in the 2003 HEPO study was for the powerhouse to be
constructed inside a 700 m permanent left bank diversion of the main canal. Placing
the canal inside the existing canal rather than a diversion canal reduces the amount of
permanent land required for the project as the diversion canal can be returned to its
original state at completion of the powerhouse construction. The choice of a right bank
location avoids disruption of the existing road communications and existing land use on
the left bank.
45. The ADB checklist for hydropower projects was used to screen for any potential
impact. The checklist is attached in the Annex 1 of this document. Impacts, which were
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
1 Positive Impacts
46. The project will provide electrical power to the wider population. The electricity
generated will supply the national grid along with other hydropower projects in the
region and will benefit the people of Punjab and the country as a whole. Mains power
will mean cooking and domestic heating for those who can afford it and will reduce the
pressure on the use of timber and other fossil fuels for heating, cooking and other
purposes.
47. The project will also provide unskilled jobs during the construction phase and a
limited number of jobs in operations. This will be a bonus for the men of the area, many
of whom are used to having to travel down country for employment.
Table 4 Comparative Analysis of CO2 Emission using Oil, Gas and Coal for Generation
Fuel Source Oil Gas Coal
Grams CO2/kwh 297 232 410
Total Saving 0.20 0.16 0.28
(million tons C)
Note: Assumes generation of 22.70 Gwh per year over a 30 year project life = 681.00 Gwh.
49. The design of the project has been changed so that the powerhouse is now to
be constructed directly in the diversion canal. The length of the diversion canal has
also been reduced from more than 800 m to a 375 m long diversion. Most of the project
can be constructed inside the existing 54 m Irrigation and Power Department (I&PD)
right of way. This reduces the amount of land required for the project and only a small
amount of irrigated farmland will need to be temporarily acquired.
50. An additional strip of land adjacent to the right bank of the canal will be required
where the temporary diversion canal will intrude into private agricultural land. The total
land area to be acquired temporarily will be only 0.2 ha. The land is canal-irrigated land
cultivated with wheat and rice. The land belongs to two persons and two sharecropper
tenants cultivate the land. Resettlement impacts will, therefore, be insignificant as per
the ADB criteria. The current average lease rate for the irrigated lands in the village is
PRs. 8,000 ha per year. Compensation is required for a maximum time period of three
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
years and will amount to Rs. 24,000 (US$ 400). One-off compensation for crop
damage is estimated, with the assistance of the local farmers group, at Rs. 18,000
(US$ 300). Total compensation to be paid for land will be Rs. 42,000 (US$ 700).
51. Only four mature trees are affected by the project and these are costed in
Fehler! Ungültiger Eigenverweis auf Textmarke.. The loss of trees has been
estimated at Rs 64,000 (US$ 1,067).
Table 5: Estimated Cost of Compensation and EMP and Resettlement Implementation for
PCHP, Punjab
No. Description of Expense Unit Quantity Avg. Total Amount
Rate
(Rs.) (Rs.) (US$)
1 Temporary Land Acquisition (3 yrs) ha 0.20 120,000 24,000 400
2 Compensation for Crop Damage ha 0.20 90,000 18,000 300
3 Compensation for Affected Trees Number 4 16,000 64,000 1,067
4 Rehabilitation of affected farmlands ha 0.20 60,000 12,000 200
Sub-Total (a): Compensations: 118,020 1,967
3 Environmente & Resettlement Man-Days 30 5,000 150,000 2,497
Specialist (Package)
4 EMP & Resettlement Monitoring & Man-Days 5 6,000 30,000 500
Evaluation
Sub-Total (b): Environment & Resettlement Expertise: 179,820 2,997
Total Direct Costs (a+b): 297,840 4,964
5 Contingencies (10%) 29,820 497
TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: 327,660 5,461
52. A tree-planting programme will also be implemented by I&PD using its own
resources or through the Forestry Department, or a private consultant. Planting will
take place in the I&PD RoW and along the canal banks. Allowance is made for two
acres of plantation for re-afforestation. The costs of planting and raising of trees for a
one-acre plantation is estimated at Pak Rs 5,364.00 as indicated in the Table below.
The cost of two acre plantation is included in Table 7 Proposed Mitigation Costs.
Table 6 Table Cost Estimates for Raising One Acre Tree Plantations
# Particulars Work Amount
Days (Rs)
1. Digging of 435 pits, 10x10 ft spacing, 1.5 ft 6.5 650.00
deep, @ Rs.100/cft for 625.50/cft.
2. Planting of 435 saplings, including carriage 8.70 870.00
and wing walls around pits, @ 50 plants/day.
3. Procurement of 435 plants, @ Rs.5/plant. - 2,175.00
i. Sub-Total 3,695.00
4. Beating up of 30 % failures in the 2nd year, 131 52
plants.
a. Re-opening of 131 pits, 1.5 ft deep, 196.5 cft, 1.96 196.00
@ Rs.100/cft
b. Planting of 131 saplings, including carriage 2.62 262.00
and wing walls around pits, @ 50 plants/day.
c. Procurement of 131 plants, @ Rs.5/plant. - 655.00
ii. Sub-Total 1,113.00
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B. Construction Impacts
1 Materials
53. The project will require various materials for construction with potential for
destruction and damage of quarry and sand extraction areas. This is an alluvial area
and the project must import stone, sand and aggregate from quarries at some distance.
The source for riprap or coarse aggregate is 130km away in the Kirana Hills and at
Taxila 300km away. Fine aggregates are available in riverbed deposits at Sutlej River
and sand from the Chenab and Lawrence pur. Cement, steel and bricks are available
at local markets near the site. Materials will be sourced from established quarries.
2 Construction Activities
54. Construction of the project involves the excavation and movement of materials
for:
• Excavation of the temporary diversion canal and raising of the upstream
banks of the upstream headrace portion of the existing canal,
• Construction of temporary cofferdams up and down stream of the
proposed powerhouse site in the bed of the existing Pakpattan canal,
• Removal of the cofferdams when the powerhouse and spill way are
complete,
• Filling and renovation of the temporary diversion canal,
• Deepening of the Pakpattan canal between the powerhouse and the
existing downriver fall in the canal to obtain the desired fall at the
powerhouse.
55. To minimise environmental impacts and avoid any need for disposal of
earthwork materials or the importation and unnecessary storage of earth, the project
will maximise the reuse of excavated materials. Excavated spoil from the diversion
canal will be used for raising of embankments of the upstream headrace section in the
existing canal and will in part be stored for use in the construction of the upstream and
downstream coffer dams. The material from the cofferdams will then be re-used to
back fill the diversion canal when the powerhouse is completed. In this way there will
be negligible waste material and minimal need to dispose of materials. Most of the
construction activity will be contained inside the outer embankment of the temporary
diversion canal.
56. The 1.0 m deep topsoil of the area for the diversion canal including the 0.2 ha
farmlands to be affected by the project will be removed and stockpiled prior to
excavation proper. At the end of the construction phase the topsoil will be re-used for
topping before returning the land to respective landowners.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
57. The land in the I&PD RoW is approximately 54m either side of the existing
canal, and this land is unused and available for construction activities such as
aggregate processing and batching plant (see Map).
58. Full mitigation for all identified potential impacts during the construction phase
of the project is included in the Table 8 Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
59. The embankment top on either side will be used as an access and service road
during construction of the upstream headrace canal. Access to the diversion canal will
be from a new road (3.5 km long) along the right bank from the existing downstream
fall and bridge. No cross canal bridges are affected by the project.
60. The main road is on the left bank and most construction activity will be from the
right bank and there will be minimal disruption to existing traffic movement from the
right bank diversion option. Existing temporary roads for the project will be sealed on
completion of the project and there will be a new road access across the canal at the
new powerhouse location
61. The construction camp has the potential for environmental impacts in terms of
solid and wastewater emissions. With batching plant and material storage there will be
associated dust problems. Conditions requiring the contractor to suppress any dust
hazards by the use of water spraying of roads during dry periods will be included in
contracts.
62. The contractor will require a temporary work-force camp for up to 50 labourers.
There will be some degree of negative social impact from the labour camp. Maximum
use of local labour will be encouraged with contractors required to give preference to
local people.
63. The construction camp can be located on vacant land in the existing RoW on
the right bank. The residential colony for I&PD staff can be constructed adjoining the
existing irrigation rest house area slightly upstream on the right bank (see Map)
65. Various activities of the population rely directly on the canal for yearlong
activities (washing, bathing, drinking purposes and livestock). Irrigation water for crops
is required throughout the year. The project will not change irrigation flows during
operations, and similarly, during construction, the project is designed to ensure that
irrigation flows in the main Pakpattan canal are maintained. However, local population
may have some difficulties during limited period of construction work when the existing
river embankments are opened to allow water to flow into the diversion canal and when
cofferdams are constructed and removed. There is a likelihood of increased sediment
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
and turbidity during these times if such work is undertaken while the canal is flowing.
Similarly, when the canal bed is deepened there will be loss of water quality if material
is dredged from the canal.
66. Maximum use will be made of the one month down time in the canal system to
build the cofferdams and deepen the canal. This will minimise the need to work in the
water to construct dams and remove material to deepen the canal bed below the
powerhouse.
67. Nevertheless, measures will be taken for local population to have access to
water usage during the project construction phase if required. Ground water wells are
required for dewatering inside the construction pit for the powerhouse and potable
water will be available. Standpipes can be provided to supply drinking water during the
construction period to villagers if necessary.
6 Fish Impacts
68. As there are a series of existing falls on the canal and because water flow in the
canal system is completely closed off for a minimum of one month each year there are
no significant fish populations in the river and there are no significant impacts to fish
either in the construction or operation phase of the project.
69. Upon its commissioning, the powerhouse will be connected to the national grid
at Bung Hayat substation by a 7km 11 kVA overhead transmission line.
70. The transmission lines will be inside an existing I&PD RoW and do not pass
through any protected area, ecological reserve or wildlife habitat. No demolition of any
structures will be required for the line. The environmental impacts of the transmission
line should be minimal, but will be subjected to an EA with mitigation by WAPDA prior
to construction.
71. Project mitigation measures and costing are indicated in the Table 7 Proposed
Mitigation Costs.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
6
Total Estimated Costs 339,360 5,656
Exchange Rate: US $ 1.00 = Rs. 60.00
72. The EMP is developed in Table 8 Environmental Management Plan. I&PD will
undertake supervision and implementation of the EMP in conjunction with a proposed
implementation specialist.
73. I&PD will also obtain approvals from EPA Punjab and then monitor the project
and forward monitoring reports on a regular basis to the Provincial EPA as per the
requirements of the Federal EPA regulations. This IEE and the EMP can form the basis
of a submission for environmental approval to the EPA Punjab.
74. I&PD will ensure that conditions are included in project construction contract
documents. It will also ensure that during the construction phase, environmental
mitigation measures, as per the EMP, are effective and are implemented. The EMP
implementation will be coordinated with concerned Government Agencies.
75. I&PD has engineering and support staff, but has no specific capacity or
qualified personnel in the environment and resettlement fields. To handle its general
environmental and land compensation responsibilities, I&PD will develop the necessary
capacity and allocate manpower to specifically implement the Pakpattan environmental
management plan, monitoring requirements and Resettlement Plan.
77. As I&PD does not yet have the expertise and capacity required for
implementing the IEE and Short Resettlement Plan, it will have to depend on additional
external technical assistance and will, therefore, hire additional expertise in the form of:
• A part time Implementation Consultant (Environmental and Resettlement
Specialist) who will be directly hired by I&PD, to provide technical assistance in
implementation of the environment and resettlement plans and the EMP;
• Another part-time Consultant (External Monitoring) who will be hired to conduct
the external monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of implementation of
the EMP and resettlement activities.
78. The Implementation Consultant (ToR in Annex 3) will carry out an internal on-
the-job training and an institutional capacity building for I&PD in general and for the
officer appointed as ERO. In this way I&PD will acquire the necessary expertise to
carry out the implementation of EMPs and resettlement plans by itself in future. The
cost of the Implementation Consultant is included in Table 5: Estimated Cost of
Compensation and EMP and Resettlement Implementation for PCHP, Punjab.
79. The Pakpattan project site is on an existing canal system in Punjab, which has
been in operation for more than eighty years. The proposed hydropower project uses
the existing fall in the canal to provide a head of 4m to produce an instantaneous
power output of 3.2 MW and electricity production of 22.71 GWh/year. The project uses
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
a temporary diversion canal (375 m long and 45m wide) on the right bank of the canal
to divert the existing waters of Pakpattan canal, while a powerhouse is constructed in
the middle of the existing canal. Upstream and downstream cofferdams are built to
allow the powerhouse to be constructed. The diversion canal is filled in and returned to
its original land use when construction work on the powerhouse is complete and the
water again flows in the original canal.
80. The IEE indicates that there are no resettlement issues following the adoption
of a right bank temporary diversion rather than the original scheme on the left side.
Most of the project construction activity takes place within the existing way-leave
reserve in Government ownership (I&PD). There are no identified impacts affecting
either archaeological sites or wildlife. Because of the existing falls in the canal system
and, because of the annual closure regime of the canal system, there are no significant
fisheries and the project will have no impact on fish. The impacts identified in this IEE
are construction related activities, some temporary loss of land, and trees, (for which
compensation is proposed) and a temporary loss of water quality during construction.
81. This project has very little environmental impact; those impacts identified will be
adequately addressed by the mitigation and environmental management plan, which
I&PD is committed to implement. Therefore, a full EIA is not required for the Pakpattan
project.
82. It is important, however, that I&PD as the Implementing Agency develops its
internal capacity to implement and monitor the measures in the EMP. This has been
designed into the project by requiring the appointment of an Environmental and
Resettlement Officer in I&PD and the appointment of an environmental & resettlement
external specialist and the hiring of an independent monitor.
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
Construction stage
Earth Works for construction - Maximise re-use of material in different construction phase and avoid or Careful planning and Contractor’s SC, I&PD
of diversion canal, reduce the need to find areas for the deposition of excavated materials. monitoring. Environment EPA,
powerhouse causing loss of - Tree planting programme on canal banks to replace the existing tree Engineer
land use and trees. plantation on the right bank of the canal within the I&PD RoW.
- Store top agricultural topsoil and reuse when the diversion canal is renovated
-
Taking of Quarry Materials - Quarry materials will be obtained from existing operating sites in the area with Careful monitoring Contractor’s SC, I&PD,
with loss and degradation of proper licenses & environmental clearances. Environment EPA
land - Engineer
Operation of construction - Fuel storage & refuelling will have adequate containment away from the canal. Careful planning and Contractor’s SC, I&PD,
equipment and construction - Equipment to be properly maintained & any waste petroleum products will be monitoring of conditions Environment EPA
activities and contamination collected, stored, & disposed of at approved sites as per Hazardous Waste included in contracts Engineer
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
Operational Stage
Soil erosion, land degrada- - Maintenance of trees and vegetative cover over initial five year of the project Using sub-contractor or I&PD’s Environment I&PD
tion & vegetation loss along the renovated temporary diversion canal, and access roads. Forestry Department Engr
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
HYDROPOWER
ANNEX 2 Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) Checklist
Instructions:
• This checklist focuses on environmental issues and concerns. To ensure that social
dimensions are adequately considered, refer also to ADB checklists and handbooks on (i)
involuntary resettlement, (ii) indigenous peoples planning, (iii) poverty reduction, (iv)
participation, and (v) gender and development.
• Answer the questions assuming the “without mitigation” case. The purpose is to identify
potential impacts. Use the “remarks” section to discuss any anticipated mitigation measures.
Special area for protecting biodiversity No special areas for biodiversity protection are close to
X project site.
B. Potential Environmental Impacts
Loss of precious ecological values due to There are no chances of encroachment on ecological,
flooding of agricultural/forest areas, and X agricultural or forest areas.
wild lands and wildlife habitat; destruction
of fish spawning/breeding and nursery
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
Environmental degradation from increased Minor temporary environmental degradation may occur
pressure on land? X mainly due to workers camps, fuel spillage , water
contamination
Conflicts on water supply rights and .
related social conflicts? X
Decreased production from capture There is no dam and no submersion of river stretches.
fisheries due to submersion of river X
stretches and associated flood channels,
and resultant destruction of fish breeding
and nursery grounds?
Proliferation of aquatic weeds in reservoir N/A as there is no dam and reservoir to the project
and downstream impairing dam discharge,
irrigation systems, navigation and
fisheries, and increasing water loss
through transpiration?
Scouring of riverbed below the dam? N/A as no dam is constructed in this project
Depletion of dissolved oxygen by large N/A as there is no dam or significant water storage
quantities of decaying plant material, fish capacity in the project design.
mortality due to reduced dissolved oxygen
content in water, algal blooms causing
successive and temporary eutrophication,
growth and proliferation of aquatic weeds?
Deterioration of water quality in the N/A there is no large reservoir or water retention for
reservoir? longer than a day.
Sedimentation of reservoir and loss of NA no large dam or storage facility included in the
storage capacity? project
Alteration of water quality due to NA no large dam or reservoir with this project
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
• Responsible on behalf of I&PD for ensuring the implementation of the IEE and
EMP.
• Conduct monitoring of the implementation of the Resettlement Plans and Land
Compensation activities so that project affected persons and communities are
paid their correct share of compensation in a timely manner prior to the
commencement of any construction work
• Facilitate I&PD and the design/supervision consultants in site-specific
environmental issues to ensure the least damages and disturbances to the
natural environment and social values of the local residents.
• Check and vet design/specification, tender, and contract documents, to ensure
social and environmental objectives are met and included. Ensure
environmental conditions are included in contracts let for the project.
• Recommend revision of Environmental Management and Monitoring Plans to
PMU so that the proposed mitigation measures are properly implemented in a
cost effective manner.
• Provide information as necessary to external consultant.
• Establish regular contacts and on-going liaison with Government as necessary
EPA, Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Departments, local/regional NGOs, local
officials, and all other stakeholders connected with the project related
environmental and resettlement issues.
• Collect environment related ecological/social data/information, make computer
data entries, carry out the analysis and apply the results.
• Liaison between I&PD and the Government of Punjab, particularly the
Environmental Protection Agency who must receive 6 monthly reports on
compliance with the EMP.
Qualifications
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
The external Consultant for Environment and Resettlement has to support I&PD/PMU
and ERO in implementing the Environmental Management Plan and Resettlement
Plan. The person is an advisor to I&PD/PMU/ and controls the implementation of the
EMP and Resettlement Plan. This covers the following activities:
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PAKPATTAN Feasibility Study: Environmental Assessment
Pakpattan Canal (AK) Pakpattan Canal (AK) Bank of Pakpattan Canal (AK)
Bank of Pakpattan Canal (AK) Pakpattan Canal (AK) Consultation Meeting with
affected people at Pakpattan
Canal (AK)
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