Portfolio Category: Environment

Salient Details

The consultancy service is to assist the client to implement environmental and social safeguard measures related to the project and its 34 km, 220 kV transmission line project and associated rural development components in the form of the Rural Electrification Program and the Community Development Program.  Tanahun Hydropower Project (TPH) is 140 MW installed capacity reservoir project with a live storage volume of 192.8×106 cubic meters. Main features of THP include

⦁ 140 m high concrete gravity dam on the Seti River with Tower Type intake
⦁ Headrace tunnel of length 1,203 m including power intake, surge shaft, steel lined
⦁ penstock shaft and tunnel, manifold and distribution pipes and draft tunnel
⦁ Underground powerhouse complex divided in power plant and transformer caverns, including two generating units, transformers, GIS equipment, high voltage cables,
⦁ auxiliary systems, main access tunnel and portal building
⦁ Tailrace tunnel and outlet
⦁ 34 km long 220 kV double circuit Transmission lines
⦁ General infrastructure including access roads.

In addition, the project includes community development plan (CDP) for people in hydropower affected area (8 rural and 1 urban municipalities) to recognize benefits from the project with long term engagement and Safeguards (environment and social).

The scope of services comprises of the followings:

⦁ Implementation of
⦁ Fish conservation management plan
⦁ Water release and river safety management plan
⦁ Wildlife conservation and awareness management plan
⦁ Watershed/Forest management plan
⦁ Monitoring of baseline condition, and of the environmental and social changes that occur in the project affected area (impact monitoring)
⦁ Monitoring of both the performance of implementation of environmental protection and social mitigation measures (performance monitoring)
⦁ Updating and implementation of
⦁ Resettlement and Indigenous People Plan
⦁ Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) Plan
⦁ Preparation and implementation of
⦁ Community Development Plan
⦁ Rural electrification plan with focus on associated social safeguards related tasks

Client: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
Funding Agency: Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal
Period: November 2016 to March 2018
Consulting Association: GEOCE Consultants (P) Ltd
Approx. Value of Services: NRs 5.29 million
Professional Staff Input: National (30) person months

Salient Details

Environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study of project development area of Second International Airport area at Nijgadh, Bara, which comprises of 80.45 sq km area (including 75.87 sq. km forest), and 7,500 population living in 1,455 households.

The proposed development of international airport will require clearing about 14 sq km forest area. As per existing study, this area will be adequate for ultimate development of SIA (with 60 Mpax, 2 runways, 174 aircraft stands, 720,000 m² passenger terminal) and an airport city of 600 ha.  The first phase airport development plan for 6.7 Mpax will include a single runway 3600×45 m, parallel taxiway 3600×23 m, 22 aircraft parking stands, an international terminal 81,000 m².

The scope of ESIA consisted of desk and field study, data analysis and impact assessment, public hearing at the project site and preparation of report. Major biological impact will be due to clearing 468,590 trees (for 14 sqm area) or 2,450,700 trees clearing for whole area. The development of project will require displacement of 7,500 people, who are mostly those residing in the area occupying government lands since they were brought by the government for tree planation in the area more than 30 years ago. Although these people are unauthorized to occupy government lands, they cannot be forcefully evacuated without any compensation. The study has recommended compensation and rehabilitation management plan based on consultation with stakeholders, suggestions received during the public hearing and comments received on draft ESIA report.  The proposed modality options include cash compensation of the properties, cash compensation of the property along with transportation and hardship allowance, rehabilitation grant-compensation to the people considering length of stay, land to land compensation, resettlement in Janata Awas Karyakram and resettlement within the existing resettlement policy and rules of the government.