STATUTORY CLEARANCE
Environmental clearance for the project accorded by MOEF on 31.03.06
Final Approval for Diversion of 69 Hect. Of Forest Land accorded by MOEF, GOI on 7/4/06, NPV & Compensatory Afforesation amount deposited with HP Forest Deptt.

Approval for grant of mining lease conveyed on 18/1/06 by HP Govt.

CATCHMENT AREA TREATMENT (CAT) PLAN
CAT PLAN APPROVED BY MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FOREST (MOEF) IN MARCH, 2006.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CAT-PLAN - I

1. Check the degradation of Eco-system & Ecological Rehabilitation of the Project area.
2. Stabilization of the disturbed strata so as to ensure regular and sediment free water in the River system.
3. Improvement of the vegetation cover in the area.
4. In-situ moisture conservation, thereby increasing ground water recharging.
5. Control soil erosion to the extent possible.
6. To improve the carrying capacity of pastures by augmenting the availability of grasses and fodder.
7. Provide gainful employment to local population.
8. To improve rural infrastructure in the project area.
9. To promote community participation and providing trainings in sustainable natural resource management.
10. Conduct research/studies for developing appropriate site specific technological packages.
11. Mitigation of the project impacts on wildlife & strengthen wildlife management in the tract.
12. To improve the visual aesthetics of the area.

Environmental clearance for the project accorded by MOEF on 31.03.06

WAPCOS has prepared the EIA & EMP report.

Public Hearing For Environmental Clearance Was Conducted On 26/10/2005 By H.P. State Environmental Protection & Pollution Board

At the following locations:

Village : Bayal, Distt. Kullu 11.00AM
Village : Chatti, Distt. Kullu 03.00PM

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)
The measures including mitigation or enhancement measures in this project are stated below;

• control of pollution from labour camps during construction phase.

• restoration and landscaping of project sites.

• environmental management in road construction;

• muck disposal plan.

• compensatory afforestation for loss of forest land;

• wildlife conservation.

• greenbelt development

• maintenance of water quality.

• control of water-related diseases.

• sustenance of fisheries.

MUCK DISPOSAL PLAN

• Muck generated from the project has been calculated with a swelling factor of 45% which comes out to be 30.63 lakh m³
   

• About 3 lakh m³ is to be reutilised as aggregates in the project, leaving a total of 27.63 lakh m³ of muck to be disposed off.
   

• Four dumping sites with a total capacity of 28.18 lakh m³ have been identified.
   

• Muck shall be dumped at 25º angle of repose.
   

• The protection structures at dumping areas include retaining walls at the edge and slope, these are proposed to be in stone masonry and plum cement

DUMPING AREA CAPACITY

RESTORATION OF DUMPING SITES

Civil Works

• 1 mt. terracing along the contour at 5m intervals along the slope.

• The uphill side of terraces shall be provided with toe walls/edging of 50cm height and 50 cm thickness.

Fencing & Planting

• Dumping site to be fenced with barbed wire.

• Pits of size 45cm x 45cm x 45cm x will be used for plantation.

• To make up the quality of soil, imported soil mixture with farmyard will be used.

• 600 to 900 seedlings per Ha. of suitable tree and shrub to be planted

• Broadcasting of Fescue & Rumex Hestatus seed.

Maintenance

• Maintenance shall be for a period of five years, during which dead plants shall be replaced and fencing if damaged shall be repaired.

• Possibility of watering the plants for early two/three years of planting shall be explored.

COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

• Terrestrial Biodiversity Study

• Cumulative and Induced Impact Assessment on the Satluj Basin Study

• Managed River Flow Study

• Consolidation of EIA and EMP Report

Terrestrial Biodiversity Study

• Baseline Data collection of Natural flora and fauna in the Projects Influence and impact area.

• Assessing the potential impacts and risk (direct, indirect, induced and cumulative) on terrestrial flora and fauna.

• Recommending various options for compensating, mitigating and managing the assessed impacts.

• Suggesting institutional arrangements for implementing CA Plan, CAT plan and other mitigation measures.

Cumulative and Induced Impact Assessment on the Satluj Basin Study

• Preparing Environment, Socio-economic and resource Baseline Data of the entire Satluj Basin.

• Assessing the potential economic, environmental and social impacts induced by RHEP and other hydropower projects.

• Suggesting specific measures to be implemented by RHEP for addressing the cumulative impacts issues

Managed River Flow Study

• Baseline Data collection for river Hydrology, Aquatic Ecology and water usage downstream of the project.

• Analysing and assessing the potential impacts on water quality, Managed flow, Aquatic ecology, use of water and human health.

• Recommending whether any additional flow is required downstream of RHEP intake and suggesting adaptive capacity and monitoring requirements for it.

Consolidation of EIA and EMP Report

• Consolidating all the relevant and related reports/studies being undertaken by SJVN in the Environment and R&R areas.

• Incorporating the necessary changes in the EIA report and improving its format, contents and language.

• Consolidating EMP as per Annex C of the World Bank Operation Policy 4.01