Maiwa Khola Small Hydropower Project (Package - 2) DoED

IEE Final Report ES-1 METCON

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ES 1.1. Introduction

Nepal has high potential of hydropower development. About 50% of the potential can be
economically exploited. Presently, only about 1% of the technically viable potential has
been harnessed. The Government of Nepal intends to carry out Feasibility Studies and
Environmental Impact Assessment of small hydropower projects utilizing grant
assistance from the Norwegian Government through competent local
technicians/consultants. It is in line with this objective, Department of Electricity
Development (DoED) proposes to engage competent local consultants in the Feasibility
Study and EIA of small hydropower projects. The proposed assignment for undertaking
Feasibility Study and IEE of Maiwa Khola Small Hydropower Project is one such
undertaking.

ES 1.2. Objectives

The main objective of this IEE is to document short and long term positive and negative
impacts together with its mitigation and enhancement measures of Maiwa Khola Small
Hydropower Project.

ES 1.3. Public Involvement

Public involvement is the most important tool for IEE study. An action plan was prepared
for public involvement. At local level public consultation was made in different ways:
Interview
Informal consultation
Group discussion and
PRA/RRA

Interview was made with representatives of different line agencies and key local
resource persons. Informal consultation was another method by witch involvement of
local persons like VDC secretaries, teachers and NGOs was made. Similarly, group
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discussion and PRA were widely applied for involvement of local people representing
different interest groups including the people who are likely to be affected by the project
activities.

ES 1.4. Project Description

The proposed Maiwa Khola Small Hydropower Project is located in the Taplejung district.
The project area lies in six VDCs (Change, Dhungesangu, Santharka, Khamlung,
Thinlabu and Phunlin). The project area is not currently accessible by road. The distance
from the road head at Banande of Mechi Highway to powerhouse site is 10.95 km.The
installed capacity of this project is 13.500MW.

Approximately a 30m long, low height, nongated concrete diversion weir with its crest at
an elevation of 815 masl is located near Mahabun village and diverts the design flow of
8.07m
3
/s (45% exceedence flow) for power generation to a 110m long desilting basin
including transitions on right bank through a side intake structure and 90m long covered
canal. From the outlet of the desilting basin, the flow is conveyed to an inverted D
shaped and non-pressure headrace tunnel. The head race tunnel is about 4.2km long
and the flow from the tunnel enters into a forebay.

With the available gross head of 200m and design flow of 8.07m
3
/s corresponding to
45% exceedence flow, about 13,500 Kw of power generation is estimated. Similarly, the
annual average marketable energy generation is expected to be 76.11 Gwh.

ES 1.5. Project Impact Zone

The project impact area is defined on the basis of spatial extent of perceptible and
potential direct and indirect impacts of the construction and operational phase activities
of the project. The direct impact zone in the project area is defined by covering areas
which are likely to be affected directly by project activities. The direct impact zone area is
delineated by covering areas of 1500 meter on the right hand side of Maiwa khola and
100 meter on the left hand side from Mahabung to Dhovan. Similarly, the direct impact
zone is defined by covering the area of 1500 meter on right bank of Tamor River from
Dhovan to Tupurke.
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The area lying beyond 1500 meters could be defined as indirect impact zone.

ES 1.6. DESCRIPTION OF ENVIRONMENT

ES 1.6.1 The Physical Environment

The large part of the project area lies in sub-tropical zone.The elevation in the project
area ranges from 650 m to 950 m. The dominant land user in the project area is
agriculture, which constitutes 55 percent.

The catchment area of Maiwa Khola at the proposed diversion weir site is 173.4 km
2.
Maiwa Khola is a tributary to Tamor, joining with the later at Dohhan. Maiwa Khola
originates from the lakes namely J aljale, kundal and Sangso.There are 14 small streams
which are tributaries to Maiwa Khola in the project area.

It is observed that air and noise quality is not presently polluted. No indications of other
phenomena with negative impact on air and noise quality in the project area.

ES1.6.2. The Biological Environment

There are altogether 72 plant species. Of them 28 are herbs, four shrubs, six climbers
and 34 trees.

In river banks Acacia catechu (Khayer) and Asparagus racemous (Ban Kurilo), are
found. The former is government protected plant species and the later endangered plant
species in the IUCN list. Shorearobusta(Sal), a government protected plant species, an
endangered living fossil plant species Cythea (Tree fern) were found in the project road
alignment leading to Dam site. Another government protected plant species
Bombaxmalabaricum (Simal) was also noticed. There are only a few timber yielding
plants in this area. The fodder trees like bamboos, Litseamonosperma (Kutmiro) are also
found. There are no plants having medicinal values.

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Altogether 12 species of wild mammals were reported from the project area. Among
them two species viz. common mongoose and jackal fall under Appendix III of CITES.
Similarly, Languor, Leopard Sloth Bear and Goral fall under Appendix II of CITES.
The totals of 85 species of birds species were reported from the project area during the
field survey. Of them Chil (Bubo nipalensis) is endangered species and Haleso
(Treronapicaula) and Lanche (Mulleripicuspulverulentus) are vulnerable species.
Remaining are common species in the project area.

Altogether 18 species of fish species were recorded from the project site during the field
survey. Among the 18 species, Tite (Psilorhynchoides pseudecheneis) is endemic
species of Nepal, which is very common in Maiwa Khola. According to NRDB, four
species, Tite (Psilorhynchoides pseudecheneis), Ashala (Chuche)(Schizothoraichthys
progastus), Ashala (Buchche) (Schizothorax richardsone ) and Bam( Anguilla
bengalensis) are categorized as vulnerable species in Nepal.

ES 1.6.3. Socio-economic and Cultural

There are altogether 110 settlements in the six VDCs of the project area.Of these
settlements, 13 lie in the likely high impact zone. The total population of these 13
villages as reported in the group discussion was 2525 with 480 households. The ethnic
composition of the area shows that Limbu is the dominant group, constituting 46%.and
Dalits represents 6%.

Agriculture is the dominant economic activity of the area. About 90% of economically
active people are engaged in agriculture. The daily wages of the skilled and unskilled
labors in the project area are of Rs.210 and Rs 310 per person per day, respectively.
The agriculture crops grown in the area are rice, wheat, maize and millet. Likewise, in
the case of cash crops, they grow cardamoms, cabbage, cauliflower, ladyfinger, radish,
tomato, potato, pumpkin, etc. There are about six livestock units per household in the
project area. Main livestock are Cattle, buffalo, and sheep/goat. Livestock is closely
associated with agriculture.

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There is a campus, six higher secondary, four secondary, five lower secondary and 33
primary schools in the project area. Likewise, there are one district hospital, one primary
health care center, two health posts and two sub-health posts in the project area.

ES 1.7. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

ES 1.7.1. Impacts on the Physical Environment

Due to spoil disposal the development of ugly scars in the landscape is likely. Solid
waste disposal is likely to affect land quality. Quality of land occupied by temporary
structures and facilities (Quarry site, borrow pits and labour camps) is likely to
deteriorate. Cutting of trees and plants along the hill slopes for various purposes is likely
to cause landslide and erosion. Waste and spoil disposal is likely to pollute water.
Spoilage of petrochemical, oil, paint ect. is likely to cause water and land pollution.
Movement of vehicles and heavy machinery, as well as drilling and blasting tend to
cause air and noise pollution.

Total land take for the project is estimated as 22.5 ha. Of the total land to be acquired for
the project of which, one ha is need to be taken temporarily and the remaining 21.5 ha
permanently. In terms of ownership categories, 15.7 ha constitute private agriculture
land, 3 ha private forest and remaining 3.8 ha public land.

ES 1.7.2. Impacts on the Biological Environment

All together 71 plant species will be destroyed in the project area due to location of
project structure excluding project road. Of these plant species, 26 will be tree species,
six species of shrub, 28 species of herbs, three species of grass, seven species of
climbers and two species of pteridophytes. No visible impact on terrestrial flora is noted
during the operation phase.

Wildlife movement will be negatively affected during construction phase. As a result of
construction phase activities wild life movement will be negatively affected. Poaching
and hunting of wildlife may increase during construction phase. Due to forest
fragmentation the wildlife movement will be negatively affected during operation phase.
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Birds are very sensitive to human disturbance during the construction works. All species
will be affected from noise and dust pollution. Birds may be negatively affected due to
collision on transmission.

Due to over fishing, fish population will be negatively affected. Construction phase
activities may have negative impacts on fish due to disturbance to spawning ground and
migration of fish. There will be high negative impacts on fish due to development of de-
water zone for about 4.5 km. long extent of river course. Impact will be very high if no
mitigation measure including release of minimum flow is assured.

ES 1.7.3. Impacts on the Socio-environment Environment

The project will directly affect 567 people of 103 households in the project area. Out of
the total number of affected families, 20 families shall be affected at powerhouse site,
two at the headworks site and 81 along with the project road area. Among the 103
families, Limbu is the dominant group, constituting 44%. Similarly, other groups like
Sherpa, Brahmin/ Chhetri, Dalit, Newar and Rai constitutes 19%, 18%, 9%, 6%and 4%
respectively in the project area.

The influx of labor force from outside will put a pressure upon fuelwood, food supply and
services in the project area. Such pressure is likely to cause price rise of commodities
and inadequacy of natural resources and services. The pressure on schools, health
institutions and market centers is likely to be high during the construction phase.

It is likely that about 10 households loose their side jobs of fishing in Maiwa Khola due to
de-watering. Similarly, people of Mahadevtar and Dobhan market centers loose their
facility of swimming and washing in the Maiwa Khola.

Due to de-watering condition four cremation sites along the Maiwa Khola are
likely to be affected.




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ES 1.8. Mitigation Measures

ES 1.8.1. Mitigation measures for physical Environment

Avoid unnecessary excavation and cutting.
Air quality shall be regularly monitored during the construction phase for taking relevant
measures to minimize air pollution.
A minimum of 0.19 m3/s which is 10 percent of long term average minimum monthly flow
of the Maiwa Khola shall be released to reduce the negative impact of de-watering
during dry season.
Use spoils as refill and unused spoil shall be managed properly.

ES 1.8.2. Mitigation measures for Biotic Environment

Transplant Asparagus racemosus, develop nursery for threatened plant as well as
fodder and timber plants
Control firewood use in labour camps and other construction camps
Supply kerosene or LPG in labour camps
Spawning areas shall not be disturbed
Develop Asala and trout fish sanctuary in at upstream of diversion weir.
Illegal felling, hunting and poaching shall be minimized

ES 1.8.3. Mitigation measures for Socio-economic and cultural Environment

Provide special employment opportunity to the project affected families.
Compensation for the loss of agricultural land, private forest and forest land and
buildings shall be given on the basis of local transaction rates.
Alternative source of fuelwood shall be provided to the work-force.
Intensification of agriculture and development of cottage industries.

ES 1.9 Monitoring

It is suggested to monitor the following aspects.
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ES1.9.1 Physical Environment

Implementation of mitigation measures
Monitor air, water and noise pollution levels

ES1.9.2. Biological Environment

Fuel wood collection by labours, illegal hunting, poaching, trapping and birds
collection
fish population, species and migration

ES1.9.3. Socio-economic Environment

Safety, local employment, compensation and extent of crop damage

ES10 Mitigation and Enhancement Cost

The total environmental mitigation and enhancement cost is estimated about NRs.
2,65,30,000.

ES1.11. Conclusion

The overall bio-physical and socio-economic impact of the project is small. The project
area is not associated with any important habitat of terrestrial flora and fauna. Some
negative impacts could be reduced by carrying out recommended mitigation measures.
Improvement of accessibility and power supply could be considered as direct positive
outcomes of the project.

The proposed project is environmentally acceptable. Therefore, it is recommended that
the project be implemented on condition of timely and efficient implementation of
proposed mitigation measures.