Projects
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 Integrated Kashang Hydroelectric Project (243 MW) |
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The EIA study includes the study of various baseline parameters of environment viz. land, water, air, noise, flora, fauna and socio-economics. Integration of these parameters gives an overall perception of positive and negative impacts due to construction of a hydroelectric project, if any. For overall prediction of impacts, the Study Area was considered 10 km radius from center of K-K link tunnel integrating Stage-I with Stage-II & III and covering all consequential project component viz. intake structures of Stage-I (Dolo Dogri), Stage-II (Lappo), Stage-IV (Toktu), underground power houses of Stage-I and Stage-IV and TRT discharging into river Satluj along with free drainage catchment of Kashang and Kerang Khads above the trench weir sites. It is worth mentioning here that the Stage-I, Stage-II & IV of the integrated project, are the only HEP in Kashang and Kerang Khad, respectively and there is no other HEP in the downstream or upstream reach of Stage-I and IV intake points except for Stage IV which is also a part of integrated scheme. There is also no submergence area in view of diversion of flow through vertical drop trench weirs. In view of baseline studies already made with respect to EIA studies earlier carried out and with respect to which (Stage-I) clearance was accorded on 15-11-2002, further baseline study was carried out for winter and pre-monsoon seasons during March 2008 to July 2008 as contained in para 4.1 of the TOR set out by the MoEF vide letter No. J-12011/81/2007-1A.1 dated 12-12-2007.
On the basis of EIA studies, a detail EMP comprising of Catchment Area Treatment Plan, Resettlement and Rehabilitation Plan, Compensatory Afforestation Scheme, Green Belt Development Plan, Wildlife Management Development Plan and Biodiversity Conservation Plan, Muck Management Plan, Restoration Plan for Quarry Sites, Landscape and Restoration Plan, Health Management Plan, Provision for Subsidized Fuel, Sold Waste Management Plan, Disaster Management Plan, Environmental Monitoring Plan, Development Plan for Fisheries in Streams, River, Economic Assessment, Summary of Impacts and Conclusions.
Based on the environmental impact assessment, the following few recommendations are made:
- Requisite NOC from SPCB under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 shall have to be obtained in respect of quarry sites, which are not already approved.
- The project proponent shall keep itself abreast of the latest laws and regulation in respect of environment and take apt and timely actions in context to changes associated with these.
- Strict adherence to implementation of management plan by the contractors shall have to be ensured by adopting systematic periodical auditing and reporting during the construction period.
- Project proponent and their representatives are advised to develop a strategy for effective public consultation at all times.
2. Preparation of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan for BSL Project from Padoh Dam to Larji Dam, Sunder Nagar, District Mandi (H.P.):
In view of concerns expressed by the local people, Hon'ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh, in the matter of BBMB Versus State of Himachal Pradesh Environment Protection and Pollution Control Board (HPEP and PCB), directed the Central Pollution Control Board (Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India) to develop a proper CAT Plan. In compliance to the directions of Hon'ble High Court, the Central Pollution Control Board, constituted an Expert Committee for preparing the Action Plan for management of silt and advise on other relevant issues with respect to Beas Sutlej Link (BSL) Project pertaining to Bhakra-Beas Management Board (BBMB) during 2004. The BBMB authorities interacted with the Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE) for the development of CAT Plan. Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla, which is one of the regional Research Institute of ICFRE, made a presentation before the Expert Committee on 19-02-2008 at Sundernagar, which resulted in developing of Terms of Reference (ToR) for this task and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between HFRI and BBMB authorities on 03.06.2008 for "Preparation of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan of BSL Project from Upstream of Pandoh Dam to Larji Dam for River Beas and its Tributaries". The total cost of the consultancy was Rs. 17.02 lacs.
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Summary of the CAT Plan:
The Beas originates from Beas Kund at an El 4085 m above msl near the Rohtang pass, at El 4062m above msl, on the southern end of Pir Panjal range, close to the source of the Ravi. After traversing 460 Km it confluences with the Satluj river at Harike. The river is comparatively a short river when compared to other major river of Indus basin, but entirely lies in the Indian territory and has a total catchment of 20,303 sq Km and carries annual flow of 15,800 MCM at Mandi. The total catchment of the Beas at Pandoh Dam and Larji Dam has been assessed as 5278 sq km and 4921 sq km respectively. Out of total 5278 sq km catchment area at Pandoh the total snow-bound catchment is 780 sq km.
The CAT Plan has been formulated with the main object of the soil and water conservation measures, in the free draining catchments are of Pandoh Dam to contain the precious soil being washed away particularly in the crucial area, where the foci of erosion is located. The area where the various soil conservation measures have been proposed, were prioritized on the basis of SYI methodology as well as ground truth reality. The effectiveness of the conservation measures can be fathomed by way of reduction in sediment load of the streams draining though the sub-watershed and increase in the output from the land, provided. The treated sub-watershed is not made to produce more sediment load than before by taking up the works due to various anthropogenic reasons like, excavation of roads, setting fires in jungle, overgrazing and burning of grasslands.
The rate of sediment flow in the stream viz. Chuli Nal, Gurshan gad and Bakhli Khad, in whose sub-watershed the soil and water conservation works have been proposed under the CAT plan, is bound to decrease with the implementation of integrated soil conservation measures. This flows from the corollary of the projects mentioned ibid. The success of the work per se is dependent upon host of factors, which are elucidated in the following sub paragraphs.
Improved Agronomic Practices:
Faulty agronomic practices lead to erosion of fertile agriculture land. The improved agronomic practices include such measures as containing farming crop rotation, strip cropping, cover crops and mulching usually carried out as a part of farm operation to protect the soil against wind and water erosion. Through public awareness program, the local farmers should be explained to adopt such practices for their benefits.
Development Work:
The infrastructure development works like construction of roads, construction of buildings etc., which involve direct intervention of the land environment, must be carried out in a scientific manner and the asset should be created in a sustainable eco-friendly manner. The excavated material should be used to optimum wherever possible and the surplus excavated material should be stacked in properly managed dumpsites. The unstable excavated slopes should be properly retained and the ground surface should be stabilized by growing vegetation. It has been observed that the muck from the road excavation is being disposed as rolling material, which is creating gully formation/erosion. All the good work done by implementing the CAT plan shall be meaningless if more sources of sediment production are created in the name of development. The success of the CAT plan implementation is mostly dependent upon eco- friendly activities in the area.
Mining:
The mining wastes are generally left in a position favorable to erosion. Therefore, while leasing out any new mine in the catchment area, the lessee should be bound to stack the mine – waste/spoils in the form of stable dumps and develop vegetation on the tip of the spoils by applying bio-technical methods. The used up mines in the forest land must be reclaimed and rehabilitated to check the erosion. The lease for the operation of the new mines in the catchment area should be given after recommendation of the proposed Monitoring Committee of Pandoh dam catchment.
Upper Development of Bakhli Khad:
The sub-watershed IBIC6 (4) through which Bakhli khad drains has an area of 62.8 sq. km out of 212.89 sq.km free draining catchment area of Pandoh dam. Bakhli khad originates from Shikari Devi and has many tributaries in the upper catchment. Patikari Hydroelectric project (15 MW) is an upper development of Bakhli khad and therefore its catchment has not been included in the free draining catchment of Pandoh dam. A separate CAT plan has been formulated by the project proponent viz. Patikari Power Private Limited.
The observations of sediment inflows are being done in Bakhli khad at a site, which is about 2.5 km from its confluence with Beas. Therefore, the average annual sediment rate also includes the sediment generated in the catchment of Patikari Power Project. The effectiveness of the soil and water conservation measures being implemented under Patikari project shall certainly have a bearing upon the overall sediment flow in Bakhli khad for whose lower catchment (62.8 sq.km), CAT plan entails treatment of 500 ha area under very severe erosion intensity class. It is also worthwhile here to note that under the CAT plan of Patikari Power Project afforestation and silvi-pastoral development have been proposed only in 60 ha and 30 ha area respectively although its catchment is 217 sq. km
Upper Development of Pandoh Dam:
Many hydroelectric projects have either been constructed or are under construction or proposed in the Basin of Beas River upstream of Pandoh Dam. All such upper development works of the Beas and its tributaries shall have separate CAT Plans for their free draining catchment. Though the schemes are generally R-O-R schemes, which have insignificant, trapping efficiency, the sediment production rate of these streams in particular and the Beas in general shall reduce after the implementation of proposed schemes. Thus the silt inflow into Pandoh Dam reservoir is likely to reduce with the cascading development of power in the basin. Therefore, overall sediment inflow in the reservoir of Pandoh Dam shall undoubtedly reduce with the implementation of the CAT Plan for the designated area, which drains directly into the reservoir.
3. Preparation of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan for Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Project, Nurpur, District Kangra
Executive Engineer, IPH Division, Nurpur, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh assigned the task of preparation of CAT Plan for Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Project to HFRI, Shimla during the month of May 2010 at a total cost of Rs. 15 lacs. HFRI has taken up the above task in collaboration with the M/ S Mantec Consultants, New Delhi and completed the assigned task in a time bound manner and submitted the 15 copies of Final CAT Plan to the consulting organization on 21.02.2011 after its approval from the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.
 Close View of Soil Erosion on right bank of Chaki Khad above road in Lohru Beat |
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 Land Erosion on right bank of Kalam Khad in Lahru Beat |
Summary of the CAT Plan:
Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Project, has been conceived with a view to harness water of Chakki Khad and Kalam Khad by constructing a 22 m high storage cum diversion dam across the former and supplementing the supplies by the tapping the latter through a system comprising of a trench weir and 849 m long feeder channel out falling into reservoir to be created in Chakki Khad. The water shall be diverted through 4.56 km long tunnel to 1.395 km long main canal and about 19 km long distribution system and 4.29 km long lift canal to provide gravity and lift irrigation to 2881 ha and 1144 ha CCA, respectively totaling 4025 CCA, covered under 60 villages falling under Nurpur-Sadwan area in tehsil Nurpur of district Kangra. The main canal shall be a contour canal with authorized head discharge of 3.27 cumecs to provide 100% irrigation intensities during Kharif and Rabi each besides 10.5% during Zaid crop. The estimated cost of the project, as per price level, September 2007, is Rs. 147.15 crore. The cost per hectare of gross irrigation is Rs. 1.76 lac and the benefit cost ratio has been assessed as 1.70:1. The project construction shall be undertaken in two phases to be completed in 4 to 5 years time frame.
Catchment area of the proposed project, at the storage cum diversion dam site, comprises of the sub-watersheds of Chakki Khad, Balud Khad and Kalam Khad whose water shall also be diverted to augment the water availability for the project. It has been assessed as 155.85 sq. km. and is mainly rain-fed except for relatively small areas on the summits of Dhaula Dhar ranges on the north and north-east with altitude varying from 2441 m to 2772 m above msl, which experiences snow fall during winter. The shape of the catchment above the diversion dam site is like a fan and constitutes the upper catchment of Chakki Khad, which itself is a sub-basin of Beas basin.
In the Plan separate provision for treatment works under free draining catchment, implementation of support infrastructure cost, fuel-wood saving devices, training and extension programmes, mobilization of user-groups, documentation, provision for monitoring and evaluation activities, provision for providing environment services, moisture retentivity interventions, construction of van sarovars and water harvesting structures, wildlife management and biodiversity conservation plan, capacity building, etc., have been made.
4. Assessment of Khair Trees Growing in Non-Forest Lands of Jammu Province, Jammu & Kashmir.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu & Kashmir has assigned the task of "Assessment of Khair Trees Growing in Non-Forest Lands of Jammu Province" to the tune of Rs. 57.50 Lacs. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed between the consulting (JKFD) and consultant organization (HFRI) on 18.05.2011. HFRI has taken up this work in close liaison with Forest Survey of India and Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, Dehra Dun by developing the suitable scientific methodology for above work. Team of Officers, Scientists and field staff of HFRI has taken up the survey work in a time bound manner despite the adverse climatic and other working conditions. During field surveys assistance of frontline field staff of J & K Forest Department, local Nambardars were also taken. Final Report has been accepted and appreciated by the concerned authorities.
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5. Redrafting of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan for Shongtong-Karchham Hydroelectric Project, District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to HFRI, Shimla by M/S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during June 2012 to the tune of Rs. 5.60 lacs. Field studies were taken by the teams of HFRI and related data has been collected and compiled. The draft report has been submitted on 31st July 2012 to the consulting organization with a request to forward the same to DFO, Kinnaur for his perusal and comments. CCF, Rampur has made some suggestions/ comments on the draft report. The suggestions have been incorporated in the Draft CAT Plan, thereafter the same was sent to APCCF (CAT Plan), HPFD for approval. The CAT Plan was duly approved by the PCCF, Himachal Pradesh and ten copies of the Final CAT Plan along with soft copies in CDs stands submitted to the consulting organization.
 Pinus gerardiana |
 Fraxinus xanthoxyloides |
 Juniperus polycarpos |
 Quercus ilex |
 Prunus armeniaca |
 Betula utilis |
 Cedrus deodara |
 Juglens regia |
 Aesculus indica |
 Shongtong Nursery |
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 Purbani Nursery |
 Pangi Nursery |
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 Kananki-I & II |
 Namgia Nalla |
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 Pirang-Santhang Nalla |
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 Tashiganag I - II |
 Yokyor I - II |
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B] CONSULTANCIES IMPLEMENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH ICFRE:
1. Studies on EIA and Preparation of EMP for Renuka Dam HEP, Renuka, District Sirmour (H.P.)
HPPCL (previously known as KKPCL) has assigned the task of taking up studies on EIA and preparation of EMP for Renuka Dam HEP, Renuka, District Sirmour, H.P. to ICFRE during the 2007. ICFRE in collaboration with HFRI and M/ S Mantec Consultants, New Delhi has taken up the above work and completed the assigned task during the year 2009. The studies pertaining to Floristics and Wildlife Management have been taken up by HFRI and chapters on the above aspects have also been compiled and finalized by HFRI.
2. Studies on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Preparation of Environmental Management Plan for Nakthan Hydroelectric Project (400 MW), District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to ICFRE, Dehra Dun by M/ S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during February 2010. ICFRE has assigned the task of taking up of studies pertaining to Floristics and Socioeconomic to HFRI, Shimla. On the basis of studies taken up by the team of HFRI, draft/ periodic reports were submitted to EIA Division of ICFRE for finalization and incorporation in the final report.
3. Studies on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Preparation of Environment Management Plan for Gyspa Hydroelectric Project (300 MW), District Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to ICFRE, Dehra Dun by M/ S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during February 2010. ICFRE is taking up this assignment in collaboration with HFRI, Shimla. Data pertaining to socioeconomics were collected during the working season, Field studies pertaining to EIA and EMP taken up during June/ July 2011 and report stands submitted to EM Division of ICFRE. However, the studies have been postponed for the time being, due to some administrative reasons.
4. Studies on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Preparation of Environment Management Plan for Thana-Plaun Hydroelectric Project (141 MW), District Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to ICFRE, Dehra Dun by M/ S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during February 2010. ICFRE has assigned the task of taking up of studies pertaining to Floristics and Socioeconomic to HFRI, Shimla. On the basis of studies taken up by the team of HFRI, draft/ periodic reports were submitted to EM Division of ICFRE for finalization and incorporation in the final report.
5. Studies on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Preparation of Environment Management Plan for Beri-Nichli Hydroelectric Project (78 MW), District Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to ICFRE, Dehra Dun by M/ S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during February 2010. ICFRE has assigned the task of taking up of studies pertaining to Floristics and Socioeconomic to HFRI, Shimla. On the basis of studies taken up by the team of HFRI, draft/ periodic reports were submitted to EM Division of ICFRE for finalization and incorporation in the final report.
6. Studies on Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Preparation of Environment Management Plan for Surgani – Sundla Hydroelectric Project (42 MW), District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to ICFRE, Dehra Dun by M/ S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during February 2010. ICFRE has assigned the task of taking up of studies pertaining to Floristics and Socioeconomic to HFRI, Shimla. On the basis of studies taken up by the team of HFRI, draft/ periodic reports were submitted to EM Division of ICFRE for finalization and incorporation in the final report.
7. Preparation of Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan for Kuther Hydroelectric Project, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh.
This consultancy was mainly assigned to ICFRE, Dehra Dun by M/S Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited during February 2010. ICFRE has assigned the task of taking up of studies pertaining to Floristics and Socioeconomic to HFRI, Shimla. On the basis of studies taken up by the team of HFRI, draft/ periodic reports were submitted to EIA Division of ICFRE for finalization and incorporation in the final report.
8. Cumulative Environment Impact Assessment Studies (CEIAS) for Sutlej Basin in Himachal Pradesh
Directorate of Energy, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shanti Bhawan, New Shimla, Shimla-171 009 (H.P.) has assigned the task of taking up of studies on "Cumulative Environment Impact Assessment Studies (CEIAS) for Sutlej Basin in Himachal Pradesh" to the tune of Rs. 291.94 lacs. ICFRE has assigned the task of taking up of studies pertaining to Floristics and Socioeconomic to HFRI, Shimla. Along with this, Director, HFRI was also nominated as Local Coordinator of the Project. On the basis of studies taken up by the team of HFRI, draft/ periodic reports were submitted to EM Division of ICFRE for finalization and incorporation in the final report.
