Louis Berger Group Inc.

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1 Louis Berger Group Inc.

2 H I M A C H A L P R A D E S H STATE ROADS PROJECT Environmental Screening Report for 1675 Km of Feasibility Study Corridors Volume I: Main Report Volume II: Appendices to Main Report (Two bound volume one is A4 and maps in A3 Size) Louis Berger Group Inc.

3 Table Contents CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION Introduction The Project Objectives Of The Project General Phasing Of The Project Environmental Screening Study Studies Carried Out So Far Strategic Option Studies (Sos) Feasibility Study Environmental Screening And Scoping Studies Document Organisation... 5 CHAPTER 2 : APPLICABLE LEGAL AND POLICIES ISSUES AND INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS Applicable Regulations Environment Eia Documentation & Environmental Clearances (Ec) Applicable National Policies Applicable National Guidelines Applicable Indian Road Congress (Irc) Codes Applicable Contract Provisions Applicable Cross Sectoral Laws Environmental Requirements Of The State State Environmental Policy (Nep) State Water Policy Himachal Pradesh State Forest Policy Himachal Pradesh (Hp) State Forest Department Hp State Pollution Control Board (Hpspcb) State Council For Science Technology And Environment Archaeology Industries Department Himachal Pradesh State Public Works Department Environmental Management World Bank Environmental Requirements Applicability Of Various Wb Safe Guard Policies Environmental Clearance Requirements Applicability Of Land Acquisition Act CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION Project Roads Location And Description Of The Project Roads Proposed Road Improvements CHAPTER 4 : METHODOLOGY Need For Screening And Scoping Environmental Screening Process Stake Holder Consultation The Adopted Methodology Identification Of Valued Ecosystem Components (Vec) Evaluation Of The Three Major Identified Screening Criteria s Louis Berger Group Inc. TOC - I

4 4.6.1 Physical Environment Bio Environment Socio Economic Environment Ranking Methodology & Justification CHAPTER 5 BASE LINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Corridor Wise Environmental Screening Analysis Geomorphologic, Physiographic And Topographic Conditions Alluvial Plains Shiwalik Hills Lower And Middle Himalayas Higher Himalayas Trans Himalaya Meteorology And Climatic Conditions Geologic, Geomorphologic And Seismic Characteristics Water Resources (Both Surface & Groundwater) Project Roads In Relation To Surface Water (Rivers, Streams) Resources Project Roads In Relation To Groundwater Resources Forests And Forest Resources Wild Life Sanctuaries And National Parks Wet Lands (Lakes, Reservoirs, Marshy Lands, Ponds Etc) Biodiversity Concerns Socio Economic Criteria s Land Use Characteristics Along The Project Corridors Social Dimension Of The Bio Diversity Concerns Drinking Water Sources Along The Project Roads Population Distribution And Pollution Archaeological Structures, Monuments And Other Cultural Resources Tourism And All Related Aspects CHAPTER 6 : PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS Dissemination Material Type Of Consultations Formal And Informal Local Consultations Identification Of The Institutional Stake Holders Official Consultations And Participation Project Specific Consultations CHAPTER 7 : EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Prospective Of Infrastructural Development Potential Impacts Impacts Design Stage Impacts- Construction Stage Impacts Relating To Physical Environment Impacts Relating To Bio Environment Impacts Relating To Socio Economic Environment Route Specific Environmental Evaluation Prioritisation Based On The Enviromental Issues Environmental Screening Matrix Results Conclusions CHAPTER 8 : SCREENING STUDY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Summary Of The Screening Results Major Issues Identified Louis Berger Group Inc. TOC - II

5 8.3 Major Environmental Screening Findings Findings And Recommendations From Consultations Recommendations General The Impact Management Matrix Corridor Specific Recommendations Positive Impacts Of The Project Scoping For Project Environmental Assessment Scoping According To Wb Guide Lines Scoping As Per The Country Laws Scoping Based On The Civil Construction Works Scoping For Ea Process Scoping Of Major Issues Identified Under Screening Exhibits Exhibit 1.1 : Phasing Of The Project For Implementation... 2 Exhibit 1.2 : Proposed Phase 1 Package 1 Improvement Roads... 2 Exhibit 1.3 : Details Of The Proposed Phase I, Batch 1project Roads... 3 Exhibit 1.4 : Details Of The Proposed Phase I; Batch 2 Project Roads... 3 Exhibit 2.1: Summary Of Applicable Regulations... 7 Exhibit 2. 2 : Analyses The Various National Policies Applicable To The Highways Sector Exhibit 2.3 : Applicable Guidelines In Highways Sector Exhibit 2.4 : Applicable Irc Codes Relevant To Highways Environmental Management Exhibit 2.5 : Morth Specifications On Environmental Management For Contractors Exhibit 2.6 : Cross Sectoral Policies That Has Applicability In The Highways Sector Exhibit 2.7 : Environmental Requirements Of The State Exibit 2.8 : Organisation Structure Of Hpridc Exhibit 2.9 : Applicability Of Wb Safe Guard Policies Exhibit 2.10 : Environmental Approvals And Clearances Required Prior To Construction Phase Exhibit 2.11 : Flow Chart For Environment Clearance Exhibit 2.12 : Forest Clearance Procedure As Per Forest Conservation Act Exhibit 2.13 : Simplified Moef - Government Of India Clearance & Land Acquisition Exhibit 3.1 : List Of Roads Considered For Environmental Screening Exhibit 3.2 To 3.6 Above Is The Typical Design Cross Sections Considered In The Project Exhibit 4.1 : Weight Age Assisigned For Environmental Parameters Exhibit 4.2 : Physical Environment Exhibit 4.3 : Bio Environment Exhibit 4.4 : Socio Economic Environment Exhibit 5.1 : Physiographic And Topographic Condition Of The Roads In Relation To Mountain Ranges Exhibit 5.2 : Relief Characteristics Of The 40 Project Roads Exhibit 5.3 : Geomorphic And Relief Characteristics Of The Study Corridors Exhibit 5.4 : Precipitation In Relation To The Location Of The 1675kms Of Project Roads Exhibits 5.5 : Shows The Wind Characteristisc Along The Feasibility Study Corridors Exhibit 5. 6 : Corridor Wise Rainfall And General Wind Characteristsic In The Region Exhibit 5.7 The Project Roads In Relation To The Geology Of The Region Exhibit 5.8 : Geologic And Seismic Characteristics Of The Study Corridors Exhibit 5.9 : Seismic Setting Of The 1675 Kms Feasibility Corridors Exhibit 5.10 : Project Road In Relation To Multi Hazardous Zones In Hp Louis Berger Group Inc. TOC - III

6 Exhibit 5.11 : Deleted Exhibit 5.12 : Project Road In Relation To Soil Characteristics Of The State Exhibit 5.13 : Erosion And Natural Calamities Exhibit 5.14 : Proximity To Water Resources Exhibit 5.15 River Systems In Relation To The Forty Feasibility Corridors Exhibit 5.16 ; Project Roads In Relation To Groundwater Resources Exhibit 5.17 Project Roads In Relation To Forest Cover Map Of Hp Exhibit 5.18 : Project Roads In Relation To Forest Cover Satellite Imagery Map Of Hp Exhibit 5.19 : Proximity To National Parks And Wildlife Sanctuaries Exhibit 5.20 : Project Roads In Relation To Sanctuaries And National Parks In Hp Exhibit 5.21 : Proximity To Wetlands Exhibit 5.22 : Recorded Wildlife On The Roads By Consultant Ants Staff Exhibit 5.23 Shows The Project Corridors In Relation To The Land Use Land Cover Characteristsics Of The Region.. 85 Exhibit 5.24 : Drinking Water Sources Along The Feasibility Corridors Exhibit 5.25 : Spatial Distribuition Of The Population In Relation To The Project Corridors Exhibit 5.26 : Population Distribution In Relation To Pollution (Air /Water And Noise) Exhibit 5.27 : Archaeological And Cultural Resources Along The Project Road Exhibit 5.28 : Tourism And All Other Related Aspects Exhibit 6.1 Institutional Coordination And Support Received From Institutional Stake Holder Institutions.. 95 Exhibit 6.2 Details Of The Institutional Stake Holder Consultation Exhibit 6. 3 Summary Of The Issues Raised During The Consultations (Sample) Exhibit 6.4 : Corridor Specific Consultations Carried Out For Corridor No 36 And Exhibit 7.1 Is The Impacts Relating Bio Environment A-3 Size Exhibit 7.2 Is The Impacts Comes In The Category Of Land And Water Related Impacts A-3 Size Exhibit 7.3 Is The Impacts Relating To The Category Of Socio Economic Including Air And Noise Related Impacts-A3 Size Exhibit 7.5 : Ranking Of Project Corridors Based On The Weight Age Matrix Exhibit 7.6 : Scores Based On The Environmental Impacts Exhibit 7.7 : Qualitative Impact Of Various Environmental Attributes Exhibit 7.8 : Final Qualitative Assessment Of The Environmental Impacts Exhibit 8.1 Ranking Of Project Routes From Environmental Considerations Exhibit 8.2 : List Of Corridors That Is Adjacent To The Wildlife Sanctuaries Exhibit 8.3: Impact Management Matrix Exhibit 8.4 : Category B Projects According To The Sept 14, 2006 Moef Notification Exhibit 8.5 : Assumed Category A Projects According To The Sept 14, 2006 Moef Exhibit 8.6 : Summary Of Time Required For Important Clearances Exhibit 8.7 : Summary Of Scoping For Ea, Emp And Other Studies Exhibit 8.8 : Scoping Of Major Issues Identified Under Screening Louis Berger Group Inc. TOC - IV

7 1.1 INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION The Government of Himachal Pradesh (GOHP) has geared-up with an ambitious plan for improving/upgrading the road network of the State in tune with the growth of the economy and infrastructure developments taking place in the other part of the country. In order to materialise this plan, the GOHP through the Government of India (GOI) has approached the World Bank (WB) for loan assistance for the up gradation and improvement of the State Highways (SHs) and Major District Roads (MDRs) in the State. The World Bank has therefore agreed to support the project with a loan agreement that in principle includes the implementation of the project conforming to environmental and social operational policies of the World Bank and the legal frame work of the country. As a first step, the State PWD without any external consulting assistance has successfully completed a Strategic Option Study (SOS) and identified about 1675km of State highways (SH) and Major District Roads (MDR) for the prioritized up-gradation and improvement in May The major criteria used for selection during SOS are traffic volume, restricted carriageway width, pavement conditions, economic activity in the influence area of the road, volume of the commercial traffic, and interconnectivity of the roads. Part IV volume of this SOS study deals with Social screening and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The GOHP through the HPRIDC is the executing agency for the project and establishment and infrastructure of the HP-PWD is to be utilised by the HPRIDC for implementation. The GOHP has appointed the Louis Berger Group Inc. as Project consultants to assist the HPRIDC in all aspects of project preparation and implementation in accordance with the objectives as detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR). The screening and scoping exercise has been carried out as a part of the feasibility study to plan the future road sector priorities in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The recently completed environmental screening and analysis has been documented in this report. The various remaining tasks are linked to the engineering and social aspects of the project that will be implemented through out the period of consultancy agreement. 1.2 THE PROJECT As described in section 1 introduction, the project has been conceptualised to implement in several successive stages/phases after detailed engineering, environmental, social and economic impact studies of the 1675 km of project roads. This has been listed as 43 separate project roads spread over the ten districts of HP. These roads had been selected out of a Strategic Option study (SOS) of the 3160kms State road networks located in ten districts out of twelve in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The less populated, snow capped districts of Lahaul and Spity does not have any priority roads. The entire studies involve several stages starting with feasibility studies for the 1675km of road length. Since the State PWD has carried out necessary homework to find out the 413 km of State roads that has all the elements to be graded as the high priority roads, these 413 kms will also be part of the environmental screening studies. The study is thus envisaged to take shape and evolve in a more appropriate, practical and useful manner to cater to the needs and wishes of the common people of the State. Out of the defacto 413 km of high prioritised roads, 252 km of roads will be subjected to detailed engineering to be completed by the end October The remaining 162 km of roads will be studied by March The Feasibility studies will be completed by the end of October as a normal course of action during the same period with a list of high prioritised 1675km of roads by the end of the year. As a matter of fact, although this is logically wrong, this is a practical stage wise approach that will enable the Louis Berger Group Inc. 1

8 State government to make step by step physical progress and improvements of the roads in tune with the required economic needs of the State. This has the potential to provide employment generation, thus meeting the requirement of the political aspirations of an elected Government as well. 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT GENERAL In order to make a rapid economic growth in tune with the economic growth of the country, a modest design speed for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods is seen as the objective. The designs of consultants will be aiming to achieve this standard with the required cost effectiveness coupled with necessary environmental management standards for achieving sustainable development of the State. The very unsafe hill roads with deep valleys1 and steep geologically unstable formations most travellers presently face considerable anxiety in their daily use of the highway system; this is applicable to all pedestrians, drivers and passengers. With proper traffic engineering and enforcement of the rules of the road regulations there should also be a marked reduction in road traffic accidents. Therefore it can be stated that the objectives of the project are to alleviate the current unsafe and congested conditions of the project road connecting the villages and towns, with one another and to the NH network for the benefit of the road users at large. 1.4 PHASING OF THE PROJECT The project will be undertaken in two phases as provided in exhibit 1.1 and 1.2. PHASING PHASE 1: Project Preparation EXHIBIT 1.1: PHASING OF THE PROJECT FOR IMPLEMENTATION DESCRIPTION This will provide the information and assessments necessary for World Bank appraisal of the proposed Project. It will include Phase 1 include Batch kms and Batch II ; 160 kms PHASE 2: Project Implementation Feasibility study and screening of the roads prioritized by the SOS Preliminary design, environmental and social assessment of a selected subset Final design, economic analysis and development proposals for about 50% of the selected subset of roads. This will include the final design of the remaining roads assistance with project implementation, coordination & strengthening of engineering skills EXHIBIT 1.2: PROPOSED PHASE 1 PACKAGE 1 IMPROVEMENT ROADS PHASE 1: Package 1 Part A: Part B: Design, environmental and social feasibility studies for 1675 km of prioritized roads. Preliminary engineering for 800 km of roads Detailed engineering design of 413 km of the proposed project roads for upgrading. The designs would be the basis of detailed cost estimates to be used in the economic analysis and assessment of project costs. Both batch 1 and 2 of the Phase 1 package 1 comes under the part B shown above. Details of the project roads considered in the Phase 1 are provided in the exhibit A relative term used in the report based on the location of the road on the top (deep valley) or bottom of the hill (steep hill) and not relevant if the road is aligned along the middle contours of the hill slope. Louis Berger Group Inc. 2

9 EXHIBIT 1.3: DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PHASE I, BATCH 1PROJECT ROADS Road Eco-sensitivity Sl. SH/MDR Existing Carriageway Proposed roads for improvement Length No No (CW) Width (km) 1 Mehatpur -Una-Amb SH m Declared protected Avenue plantations 2 Una- Aghar- Barsar- Jahu Bhambla- Mandi SH / 3.5 m Eco-sensitive areas 3 Theog-Kothkhai-Hatkoti-Rohroo-Chirgaon- Eco-sensitive areas Sandhasu Details of the project roads considered in the Phase 1, Batch 2 roads are provided in the exhibit 1.4. All 43 feasibility corridors are provided in exhibit 1.5 (map). Sl. No 1 EXHIBIT 1.4: DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PHASE I; BATCH 2 PROJECT ROADS Existing SH/ Road Proposed roads for improvement Carriage way MDR No Length(km) Width Ghumarwin Sarkaghat Jogindernagar (Except m NH 70 section) 2 Kumarhatti Sarahan Nahan (Dosarka) SH / 3.5 m Eco-sensitivity (Legally not) Eco-sensitive Eco-sensitive areas During the last few months detailed studies have been carried out for the Phase I Batch 1 project roads. Details of these investigations have been used to the extent possible for the environmental screening studies of these project roads. Out of five road links considered in phase 1, two links have been identified located adjacent to legally defined ecologically sensitive areas according to the GOI regulations. Since the project will be implemented with international assistance, all these three roads have been subjected to comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies. Two out of three link road (Mehatpur Una and Una Amb section; project roads does not pass through any ecologically sensitive areas. The project road connecting Una-Barsar-Jahu-Nerchowk road section passes through eco-sensitive areas. Since these are not legally defined eco-sensitive areas as per GOI regulations, the GOI regulations will not be applicable to this. The World Bank Operational policy 4.01 on environmental and Natural habitats OP 4.04 applies to this corridor. All these aspects have been included in the screening analysis documented in this report. 1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING STUDY As a part of the feasibility studies, this Environmental Screening Report (ESR) report in hand has been prepared and is to be submitted to World Bank and the Public Works Department during October The Screening and scoping studies indicate that all road links would require comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) according to GOI regulations and World Bank operational policies. Details of these requirements are addressed in Chapter 3. Some of these roads coming under category A of the September 14 MOEF gazette notification however will require GOI environmental clearances. All these details were worked out by the environmental screening and analysis provided later in the last Chapter of this report. The objectives of the feasibility and environmental screening studies are: To relate the proposed works with identification and prioritisation of environmental and social issues Louis Berger Group Inc. 3

10 This identification and prioritisation will provide useful information/input for assessing technical, economic, and financial feasibility of the project as well as the recommendations for modification in preliminary project design To Identify Valued Ecosystem Components (VEC) and Corridor specific Major Environmental issues The VEC is defined as Social or biophysical component, which is of value (for any reason) in a project influenced area The specific objectives of the EA process during the project preparation phase will be to achieve the following objectives: To establish priority roads based on the environmental screening studies To establish the environmental baseline in the study area, and to identify any significant environmental issues; To assess these impacts and provide for early measures to address the adverse impacts by the provision of the requisite avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures; To integrate the environmental issues in the project planning and design; To develop appropriate management plans for implementing, monitoring and reporting of the environmental mitigation and enhancement measures suggested. In order to achieve these objectives, detailed surveys and other studies have been carried out along the project roads to identify Valued Ecosystem Components (VEC) and corridor specific significant environmental issues (SEI). The project roads that will be taken up as a priority in various phases of the project have been described in the section STUDIES CARRIED OUT SO FAR STRATEGIC OPTION STUDIES (SOS) As a first step in May 2005, the State PWD, has successfully completed a Strategic Option Study (SOS) and identified about 1675km of State highways (SH) and Major District Roads (MDR) for the prioritized up-gradation and improvement. The Louis Berger Group Inc. has started work on the Phase 1, package 1, batch 1 of the project from January 6, Since then, the consultants are in the process of feasibility analysis and environmental and social screening of the 1675 km roads. In June 2006, km length of roads has been found to be without proper ground alignment. Although no physical verification was possible, all to the extent possible environmental screening analysis has been carried out for these roads also FEASIBILITY STUDY The feasibility study is being carried out for the road network of 1675 km (43 road links) identified by the SOS study. The feasibility study is supposed to come out with a list of high priority roads based on the engineering and economic aspects prepared using the HDM model. The Economic Internal Rate on Return (EIRR) has been calculated using the model for each of the project roads. The roads which have a rate of return 12 % and above have been considered qualified for the Up-gradation. The EIRR does not include a comprehensive environmental and social screening and scoping analysis. Therefore prioritisation based on these issues has been carried out by environmental and social screening and scoping studies ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING AND SCOPING STUDIES The environmental and social screening Report (ESR) is being prepared to establish the environmental sensitivity of the project roads under consideration. The study will establish the boundaries of the further studies required (scoping) based on the proximity to ecologically sensitive and environmentally sensitive Louis Berger Group Inc. 4

11 areas. Accordingly as stated above some of the roads considered for widening and up-gradation requires GOI environmental clearance due to proximity to legally defined ecological resources. Other Project roads have to obtain State level clearance from the State Pollution Control Board (PCB) and State level Environmental Impact assessment authority (SEIAA) set up by the Government of India at State level. Because of the World Bank s categorisation as Category A projects, an EIA is also required for all roads considered for up-gradation. The feasibility study (that includes environmental screening also) will identify approximately 800km of high priority roads, which will be subjected to detailed design and associated studies in two or more phases. The first set of 413 kms of road constitute phase 1 (both batch 1 and 2) has been identified by the State Government to include in the project. This 413 km of roads is part of the final 800 km of roads that have been identified as a part of the Feasibility study. 1.7 DOCUMENT ORGANISATION The document in hand has been organised as provided bellow. Chapter 1 Introduction Provides only the introduction of the over all project in relation to the Environmental screening and Feasibility studies Chapter 2 Applicable Legal and Policies Issues and Institutional Requirements Provides over all legal frame working relation to intuitional requirements Chapter 3 Project Description Provides description of the varied elements of the project Chapter 4 Methodology for Environmental screening Underlines the methodology adopted for the Environmental screening Chapter 5 Baseline environmental features Provides baseline environmental profile of all 43 project roads for which the environmental screening studies have been undertaken. Chapter 6 Consultation Provides details of the various consultations held along the project roads. In addition to this the Chapter also provides details of the various meetings held with institutional stake holders Chapter 7 Potential Environmental impacts and issues Provides the description of potential environmental impacts of the project routes and categorisation of different project routes as per environmental ranking. Chapter 8 Finding and recommendations Louis Berger Group Inc. 5

12 LOCATION MAP OF PROJECT CORRIDOR Louis Berger Group Inc. 6

13 CHAPTER 2: APPLICABLE LEGAL AND POLICIES ISSUES AND INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS This chapter describes applicable rules and regulations of the country that ensures certain level of quality in the infrastructure projects for ensuring sustainable development. Idea is that the road improvements should not lead to major ecological or other losses to the country and the people that could nullify the otherwise immediately available project benefits. The various regulations apply to the design (project preparation stage) construction (implementation stage) and post project Stage (Operational Phase) are provided in details in this Chapter. 2.1 APPLICABLE REGULATIONS Lists of all applicable GOI regulations are provided in the exhibit 2.1. Most relevant details are provided in the following paragraphs. EXHIBIT 2.1: SUMMARY OF APPLICABLE REGULATIONS Applicable GOI reason for Year Objective Policies & Regulations applicability 1986 To protect and improve overall environment Environment in Environmental (protection) Act general Environment Impact Assessment 2002 Requirement of Environmental impact Direct (EIA) notification: 1994 Assessment Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974 To control air pollution by controlling emission and air pollutants according to prescribed Air pollution Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Cess Act of 1977 standards 1974 To control water pollution by controlling emission & Water pollutants as per the prescribed standards Water pollution Indian Forest act 1980 Protection of forests Forests The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Protection Wild Life Wildlife Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites & Remains Act 1958 Conservation of Cultural and Historical remains found in India Archaeological remains The Land Acquisition Act 1894 & Set out rule for acquisition of land by 1989 Government. Land acquisition Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) rules Noise pollution regulation and controls Control of Noise pollution Public liability insurance Act 1991 Assessment of hazardous materials and accident hazards Health and safety Biological Diversity Act 2000 disclosure of species survey or collection activities to the National Biodiversity Authority Biodiversity EIA notification For impact assessment of infrastructural projects Environmental clearance International Environmental regulations in which India is a signatory International environmental issues such as emission of green house gases Global environmental issues ENVIRONMENT The Environment (protection) Act, 1986: This triggers an unbiased examination of all infrastructure projects from the environmental angle. All environmental regulations were introduced under this Act. EA document should examine processes, materials and substances that has the potential to cause environmental degradation and or pollution. The EA shall assess if relevant standards will be breached, and confirms that relevant procedures and Louis Berger Group Inc. 7

14 safeguards will be followed. The EA will have to identify Central and State Government standards set for the quality of the environment; emission or discharge of environmental pollutants; procedures and safeguards for handling hazardous substances; and relevant restricted development areas. Document includes procedures and safeguards for the prevention of accidents, which may cause environmental pollution and remedial measures for such pollution. The EA identifies mechanisms to notify the relevant authority in the event of a discharge of pollution exceeding the standards set. Applicable as the law extends to the whole of Indian Territory as an umbrella Act to protect and to preserve/conserve environment. This act is intended to provide protection and improvement of environment and for sustainable development EIA DOCUMENTATION & ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCES (EC) (I) the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 1994/July 2002 This notification from MOEF will be triggered if the project is listed in schedule 1 (Item 21 & 22) of the Notification (includes 'Highway Projects' (and 'Tarred Roads in Himalayan and/or Forest Area') or if the project occurs in a restricted area. Such projects require environmental clearance from MOEF in accordance with the procedures specified in the notification. If environmental clearance is required, public hearing will be conducted in each PIA district where the Project works will be carried out. The requirement of MOEF clearance would be known only if a proper environmental screening and scoping study supported by ground surveys has been undertaken. Other wise also an EA study and documentation (not relates to clearance) is a requirement for all projects to mitigate the general construction related impacts. In the case of Item 22, EIA notification would be applicable to projects involving construction of tarred roads in Himachal Pradesh exceeding a length of 5kms. This is applicable to all new roads and new long bypasses of length exceeding 5 kms that if considered in this project or for later by GOH. This notification is super ceded with a latest Gazette notification after re-engineering of environmental clearance requirements by Government of India. (a) April 10, 1997 MOEF Gazette Notification on EIA for Road Improvement Projects. According to this notification, road improvement projects are generally exempt from the environmental clearance. This exemption is for Highway Projects except projects relating to improvement work including widening and strengthening of roads with marginal land acquisition along the existing alignments provided it does not pass through ecologically sensitive areas such as National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger reserve, Reserve forests. Accordingly, an EIA addressing specific actions and, circumstances within the corridor must be prepared, and approvals received. No environmental clearance required for small scale widening projects No exemption for widening of legally defined ecologically sensitive corridors Environmental clearance necessary for all road projects requiring substantial land acquisition However the State level clearance will be sought from the State Pollution Control Board for all roads. After the Project receives Forest Department and SPCB No Objection Certificate (NOC), the proposal if necessary can proceed to MOEF for review and action on the advice of PCB. (b) October 15, 1999 MOEF Circular On Marginal Land Acquisition And Bypasses. According to the provision of EIA Notification of January 27, 1994 and as amended on April 10, 1997, environment clearance is required for highway projects except projects relating to Louis Berger Group Inc. 8

15 improvement work including widening and strengthening of roads with marginal land acquisition along the existing alignments provided they do not pass through ecologically sensitive areas such as national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves, reserve forests etc. It is clarified that marginal land acquisition means land acquisition not exceeding a total width of 20 metres on either side of the existing alignment put together. Further, it is also clarified that bypasses would be treated as stand-alone projects and would require environmental clearance, if the costs of the projects exceed INR 1000 million (Rs. 100 crores) according to MOEF, June 2002 each. (II) September 14, 2006 EIA notification on environmental clearances According to this, latest gazette notification, there are two categories of projects via, category A and Category B. Category A will be cleared by the Ministry of Environment and forests at central level (Expert Appraisal Committee or EAC constituted by MOEF)) and the category B project will be cleared by the State Environmental Impact Assessment authority (SEIAA) constituted by MOEF at State level. If there is no State level authority constituted in HP, all categories of projects in HP State would be dealt at central level. According to this, all projects under State roads would be requiring State level clearances. As earlier, the category A projects would require Public hearing all PIA districts. With regards to the eco-sensitive roads, there is no change in the notification. This means that even if the project comes under Category B projects, if it passes through eco-sensitive areas then it will have to under go GOI-MOEF clearance at central level. So far PCBs was instrumental in facilitation of EC clearances both at State and central level. While the responsibility of public hearing is still with PCB, the EC at State level will be taken over by the SEIAA constituted by MOEF at State level. (A copy of this notification with all its attachments is attached as Appendix 2.1) FOREST LAND ACQUISITION AND CLEARANCES Forest (Conservation) Act Under this law, PWD must obtain administrative approval from the Forest Department to clear over 20 hectares of designated forestland and in 1986 when the MOEF enacted the Environmental Protection Act, the entire linear stretches of road side plantations along the State highways were declared as protected forests. According to this although the land is under the control of State Government, due to its protected Status, approval of Central, Regional or State Government for using the land for widening and rehabilitation must be granted. At the State level, Government was empowered to declare reserves and protected forest and was also given the authority to acquire land for extension and preservation of forests. In December 1996, a Supreme Court judgement further defined the types of forests to be protected. Depending on the size of the tract to be cleared, clearances are required from the following levels of Government. If the forest exceeds 20 hectares then prior permission of Central Government is required. If the forest is between 5 to 20 hectares the regional Office of Chief conservator is empowered; If the forest is below or equal to five hectares the State Government may give permission; and, If the construction area is more than 40 % forest, permission to undertake any work is required from the Central Government, irrespective of the size of the area. Louis Berger Group Inc. 9

16 (a) Applicability of Forest conservation act to Roadside strip Plantations The February 18, 1998 MOEF circular on linear plantations on roadsides, canal and railway lines modified the applicability of provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to linear plantations. The new modification recognises that the spirit behind the Forest (Conservation) Act was conservation of natural forests and not strips plantations. In the case of the notified to be protected roadside plantations, the clearance may be given by the concerned regional office of the MOEF, irrespective of the area of plantation lost. While issuing the approval, in place of normal provisions for compensatory afforestation, the regional offices will stipulate a condition that for every tree removed at least two trees should be planted. If the concerned Regional office does not issue the decision within thirty days of the receipt of fully completed application, the project proponent may proceed with widening/expansion under intimation to the State Forest Department, and the MOEF. (Appendix-2.2) Forest clearance (FC) will be required, if forest land reserves are required. Since there would be a requirement of forest land for widening of the project, Forest clearance would be required for the protected linear plantations. BIODIVERSITY Biological Diversity Act, 2000 This act prevents persons undertaking biodiversity related activities without approval from the National Biodiversity Authority. It extends to the whole of India, and approval is required from the National Biodiversity Authority. There are particular restrictions if the Project involves the participation of non- Indian persons. The EA shall assess if any biological resource is required for the Project (plants, animals and micro organisms or parts thereof). EA shall assess if bio-survey or bio-utilisation is needed for the Project (surveyor collection of species, etc for any purpose). EA document outlines measure to avoid or minimize effects on biodiversity. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS Public Liability Insurance Act, The purpose of this act is to provide public insurance liability for the purpose or providing immediate relief to the persons affected by accident occurring while handling any hazardous substances. The EA shall confirm that appropriate insurance policy will be taken out. EA shall identify hazardous materials associated with the project. The EA document shall identify the major accident hazards. Document describes steps to prevent accident hazards and to limit their consequences to the environment. The EA indicates commitment to provide information, training and equipment to ensure workers safety. EA shall describe mechanisms to notify the concerned authority in the event of a major accident. Since most of the works in the steep hills and deep valleys are under very unsafe condition, EA shall ensure public liability insurance for all workers during construction phase. AMBIENT NOISE QUALITY Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) rules As a result of considering the deleterious and psychological effects of the noise pollution on the human well-being, MOEF has drawn up the above rules, which have come to force with effect from February 14, According to the provisions of the rules notified, a person might make a complaint to the designated Authority in the event that the actual noise levels exceed the ambient noise standards by Louis Berger Group Inc. 10

17 10dB(A) or more as compared to the prescribed standards. The designated authority will take action against the violator in accordance with the provisions of these rules or other law in force. EA shall identify all 'industrial', 'commercial', 'residential' and 'silent' zones within the project study area. EA shall assess if the levels of noise generated by the project in any area exceeded the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise as specified in the Schedule of the Rules. EA shall describe noise pollution control measures to achieve compliance with the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise. AMBIENT AIR QAULITY The Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act, 1981 This Act provides for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution. It is triggered by air polluting activity in an air pollution control area or when emissions of any air pollutant into the atmosphere exceed the standards set by the Central and State Boards. EA shall identify air pollution control areas. Document shall identify all air polluting activities and sources associated with the project. EA confirms that consent will be obtained for air pollution control area. Environmental report describes mechanisms requested for the operation of industrial equipment and to notify the State Board of an unforeseen release of air pollutants exceeding the standards. Remedial measures proposed to mitigate air pollution in air pollution control areas are to be described APPLICABLE NATIONAL POLICIES There are 10 National policies to address various issues relating to the exploitation of natural resources and other environmental issues. The applicability rating is direct and indirect as provided in exhibit 2.2. EXHIBIT 2. 2 : ANALYSES THE VARIOUS NATIONAL POLICIES APPLICABLE TO THE HIGHWAYS SECTOR Applicable GOI Applicability Year Objective Acts National Environmental Policy 2006 Sustainable Development Direct National Water Policy 2002 Conservation and management of water resources Direct Policy Statement on Abatement of 1992 National Policy on the Pollution control and Pollution, prevention Direct National Conservation Strategy 1992 Strategy for development taking environmental and Policy Statement on Environment And Development concerns in to account in our development process Direct National Forest Policy 1998 Conservation and management of forests, wildlife sanctuaries etc Direct National Rehabilitation and 2003 All social issues relating to land acquisition Resettlement Policy resettlement and rehabilitation Direct National River Conservation Plan 2001 For the conservation management of issues (NRCP) relating to rivers Direct National Lake Conservation Plan For the conservation management of issues relating to Lakes direct Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002 For the conservation management of issues Direct relating to Wildlife National Wildlife Action Plan 1982 Addresses the need of conserving the nations biodiversity and emphasizes requirements of evolving prescriptions for management of multiple use areas which provide for wildlife habitat needs and forest products Direct Louis Berger Group Inc. 11

18 2.1.4 APPLICABLE NATIONAL GUIDELINES The relevant sections of the guidelines shown in exhibit 2.3 have been considered for the highways sector. EXHIBIT 2.3 : APPLICABLE GUIDELINES IN HIGHWAYS SECTOR Guide line Year Purpose Applicability Sl No 1 Environmental guidelines (MOEF) for rail/road/highway projects for the preparation of EIA report on Highways sector. 2 General guidelines (MOEF) as provided by the hand book of environmental procedures and Guide lines 1989 To guide the preparation of EIA/EMP reports Direct 1994 For the investors Direct 3 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Manual 1998 For the environmental appraisal committee (EAC) members and consultants 4 Guidelines for the collection of Net Present Value (NPV) for the recovery/collection of Net Present value of the forest land being diverted for non forestry purpose 2003 For the Forest land acquired under Forest Conservation Act, Direct Direct APPLICABLE INDIAN ROAD CONGRESS (IRC) CODES Thirteen IRC codes and guidelines (exhibit 2.4) have been segregated that have a direct role in the environmental Management during design and construction stages. Indeed most of them were formulated without a proper environmental management backing, therefore a revision of these documents incorporating the environmental and social dimension would make these codes more sensible with double (Engineering and environmental) applicability i.e., both engineering as well as environmental management requirements. EXHIBIT 2.4: APPLICABLE IRC CODES RELEVANT TO HIGHWAYS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IRC code Theme Year Purpose Applicability/comments Sl. No 1 Recommended practice for borrow pits for Rural road embankments constructed by manual operations IRC: Issues relating to Borrow pits Direct (need to include EMP and revise) 2 Recommendations for road construction in water logged areas IRC: Construction in water logged areas Indirect. Consider Ecological aspect and revise 3 Road accident forms A-1 (first edition) IRC: Road safety FIR forms Old document (completely out dated) 4 Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities IRC: Safety of pedestrians Direct/Old 5 Guidelines for EIA of Highway projects IRC: EIA guide lines Direct (need revisions to include EMP/BOQ etc) 6 Ribbon developments on highways and its prevention IRC: SP: Manual on Land scaping of road IRC: SP: Report containing recommendations of IRC: SP: 27- IRC Regional workshops on highway 1984 safety 9 Road safety for Children (5-12 years old) IRC: SP: Guidelines on road drainage IRC: SP: Control by various measures that includes Legislation Land scaping of road Highway safety Highway safety for Children s Drainage Direct/old In direct (very old document) Direct Direct Direct 11 Highway safety code IRC: SP: 44- Highways safety Direct Louis Berger Group Inc. 12

19 Guidelines for safety in construction zones IRC: SP: Hill road manual IRC: SP: APPLICABLE CONTRACT PROVISIONS Safety during construction Hill road Direct Direct The construction companies generally neglect environmental management provisions of MORTH specifications and FIDIC conditions of Contract. The MORTH Specifications (not FIDIC) and the provisions of environmental management in Indian systems are provided in exhibit 2.5. The Fourth Edition of Specifications for roads and bridge works of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways published by the Indian Road Congress is the basic document to be followed in the road construction contracts. EXHIBIT 2.5 : MORTH SPECIFICATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR CONTRACTORS Clauses Environmental Management aspects 111 Precautions for safeguarding the environment with 12 sub clauses that cover issues relating to all laws Environment of the country, Borrow pits, quarry operations, soil erosion, sedimentation and water pollution, pollution from hot mix plants and batching plants, substances hazards to health, dust, clean orderly work site, 112 traffic management and safety traffic ability of the road. Arrangement for traffic during construction addresses the safety aspects with its six sub clauses. This is further improved by another IRC special publication for safety during construction 2000 Relates to Top soil management Top soil Disposal of excavated materials 302 Blasting operations Public safety Borrow materials Drainage 306 Soil erosion and sedimentation control 307 Turfing with sods 308 Seeding and mulching Annexure A to clause Personnel and Environment safety Precautions during dismantling work Protection of environment includes water, air and noise quality control measures. Also included are control of wastes and emergency response APPLICABLE CROSS SECTORAL LAWS There are a number of laws that are cutting across all sectors and development process of the country. Some of these are directly relevant especially during the construction stage are listed in the exhibit 2.6. EXHIBIT 2.6 : CROSS SECTORAL POLICIES THAT HAS APPLICABILITY IN THE HIGHWAYS SECTOR Applicable GOI Acts Year Objective Applicability Minimum wages Act, 1948 Grossly misused Act 1948, most important as far as the poverty ridden local people are concerned. For role of Social welfare department and labour department, a more effective mechanism needs to be developed. Child labour (prohibition and regulation) Act Grossly misused Act, effective mechanism need to be established to abolish this from the highways system permanently. Labour Act 1988 The health and safety of workers employed in Direct construction work etc The Factories Act 1948 Health and Safety considerations for workers (Need to Direct Direct Direct Louis Berger Group Inc. 13

20 Applicable GOI Acts Year Objective Applicability The Right to Information Act (Very important Umbrella Act) extend the provisions to highways) 2005 One of the most important Acts, which will strengthen the right to freedom of speech and expression Act. After several years of negligence, Government of India now decided to strictly apply the Child labour Act to all sectors who are exploiting the children s at their younger age for personal, economic and other benefits. According to this law children s are for primary education till the age of 14 and then up to the age 18 years, children if employed should not be engaged in the Hazardous working conditions. The Right to Information Act, 2005, is an umbrella act that covers the entire constitutional laws and policies and procedures pertaining to the country and its governance. Direct 2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE Exhibit 2.7 provides the specific laws and policies that are formulated by the State government for achieving certain level of sustainability in the human actions. EXHIBIT 2.7 : ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE Applicable GOI Acts Year Objective Applicability State Environmental Policy 2005 Sustainable development of the State Direct State water policy 2003 To protect and conserve water resources Direct State forest Policy 1980 Protection and preservation of forest and wildlife Direct Himachal Pradesh land 1978 Control on the private forests with ten year felling cycle Direct Preservation Act The Himachal Pradesh minor minerals (concession) revised rules 1971 Relating application for mining lease, its procedures authorities and application forms. EIA Notification by MOEF 2006 Establishment of the State level environmental impact assessment authority for environmental clearance of Category B projects STATE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (NEP) Direst Direct The Himachal is the first State to have its own State Environmental Policy which came in to existence in 2005 prior to the July 2006 National Environmental policy. By formulating this policy, the Government of HP expresses its resolve to conserve and enhance the environment and follow a policy of sustainable development. This cannot be achieved without a whole hearted cooperation of all departments (that includes State PWD also), institutions, local bodies and the people at large. The State Public Works Department therefore need to plan and implement the Road projects in a manner that incorporates all environmental safeguard measures, national policies, rules, codes and regulations and above all international best practices for environmental management for the implementation of Infrastructure projects. The section 2.3 highlights areas of concern that includes highways sector as no 1 (including construction of buildings and dams) STATE WATER POLICY Both State and National water polices give highest priority for safe drinking water. Any impact on these resources of the common people is to be seen very seriously. Prior to demolishing or destruction of such structures, the project will have to provide alternative drinking water resources to the people. This Louis Berger Group Inc. 14

21 new provision need to be monitored for the whole construction period to verify its adequacy in terms of quantity, quality and distance from the dwelling units. (Appendix 2.3) Since most of the drinking water sources of the people like Hand pumps (HP), spring water sources, wells and PWS will be affected by the construction activities, this policy is directly relevant to the project HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE FOREST POLICY In 1980, the State Government has enunciated its own Forest Policy within the frame work of National Forest Policy. This was to meet the peculiar forest situation in the State. The policy guidelines contained are said to be still valid and cover almost all aspects of forestry in the State. Since forest and related issues are one of the few most important issues of the project implementation Forest policy is directly relevant HIMACHAL PRADESH (HP) STATE FOREST DEPARTMENT Although the PWD is managing the PWD Right of Way (ROW), removal of trees from the PWD land need written permission from the Forest Department. The State Forest Department has involved in the project preparation by way of consultation. To avoid delays, application will be forwarded to concerned Forest Officer for an early approval for tree removal. During construction, trees will be cut and removed that are necessary based on safety requirements. The trees that will have to be removed will be marked prior to cutting. This is required, as there could be slight changes in the alignment or design because of the Contractors difficulties (e.g. for moving equipment). If such changes do occur a number of trees may be saved that would have been cut otherwise. Immediately after marking the trees, an application in plain paper (no prescribed application is available) will be filed with the local forest officer for obtaining a written permission. Some of the roads considered has considerable avenue plantation. These are declared protected forests. Removal of these trees needs permission from the forest department. Some of the section requires Forest land for widening and for improvement of curves. These forests are protected forests and therefore require permission from the State/National Government as applicable. Further the following forest laws are directly applicable to road projects. While India Forest Act of 1927 remains an all pervasive Act for the constitution, management and protection of forests, various other laws, acts and rules enacted by the State government are to take care of the local needs. Those that are relevant are the following: Wild life protection Act 1972 as amended on Detailed provided in the next section. Himachal Pradesh Land preservation act,1978 Forest conservation act 1970 as amended in 1911 Procedure: Forest clearance for forest land acquisition now requires a payment to the Forest department according to the Hon ble Supreme Court Order---.dated October 30, 2002 and August 1, 2003 in I.A. No 56 in writ petition (civil) No 202 of 1995 in the matter of compensatory afforestation Fund regarding collection of Net Present value (NPV) from the user agencies. Latter MOEF as per letter NO F.No.5-1/98-FC (PtII) dated September 17, 2003 and September 22, 2003 issued guidelines to all offices of the Forest departments for implementation. The ministry ordered all the States /UTs to comply with the Hon ble courts and complete the collection process of NPV for the cases approved under the Forest conservation Act, Louis Berger Group Inc. 15

22 The Net present Value (NPV) of forestland needs to be paid to the Forest department for the Forestland requirement for the infrastructure projects HP STATE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (HPSPCB) The State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) plays a major role in environmental management at the State level, particularly with regard to air and water issues. Agency is also acting as a facilitator for Central and State environmental clearance process. The main functions are to: Plan and execute state-level air and water initiatives; Advise State Government on air, water and industry issues; Establish emission standards based on National minimum standards; Issue consent orders (permits) for industrial air and water discharges; Issue No Objection Certificates for "industrial development" (defined in such a way as to include road projects). Publish statistics and disseminate information; and Take legal action against defaulters. Facilitate the National Environmental clearance requirements at the state Level as a nodal agency coordinating all other stake holder institutions. These requirements also include public hearing. Many road projects considered in this report does not require public hearing but require State level environmental clearance under National law. Action by the HP State PCB requires the submission of a questionnaire/application pursuant to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, the Cess Act of 1977 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT According to the April 10, 1997 MOEF notification on public hearings STEC will be involved in the public hearing and subsequent State level environmental approval associated with GOI environmental approvals for new road projects. Since many project require public hearing and environmental clearance, their involvement in this project will be required for MOEF clearance and State clearances. The EA team has consulted the department in the very early stages of the project ARCHAEOLOGY There are numerous archaeological remains in the Sate relating to Ancient Monuments and Archaeological sites & Remains Act The state Archaeology comes under the department of language, art and culture. There is a central list of protected monuments and a state list of protected monuments and other archaeology and remains. Still there are many archaeological remains not listed in both. These are also coming within the purview of the Act. Louis Berger Group Inc. 16

23 2.2.8 INDUSTRIES DEPARTMENT The State mining and geology is attached to the industries department. There a quite a lot of restrictions in the old Himachal part while these restrictions are not applicable to the new Himachal area later added. The new Himachal also include Una district, Kangra, part of Sloan Hamirpur, Bilaspur while Shimla and Mandi is in old Himachal. The state geologist was consulted (see Chapter 7) HIMACHAL PRADESH STATE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT A designated minister and Secretaries of IAS rank in the State administrative machinery generally manage the HP State Public Works Department as in other States. At the down level there is an Engineer in Chief (EIC) next to the secretary. There are Chief Engineers separately for buildings and road sectors. In the road sector, there are Chief Engineer (National Highways) and Chief Engineer (State Roads). The project roads fall under the responsibility of the Chief Engineer (State Roads) ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT The PWD currently has no formal environmental internal review procedures. Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (HPRIDC); State PWD has established HPRIDC with Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers, Environmental Engineer, Sociologist and Land Development Officer with a support staff for the implementation of the project. HPRIDC is a relatively new organization, as per the discussions with HPPWD it is understood that the organization structure is still in the process of finalization by GoHP The tentative Organization structure is furnished in exhibit 2.8, consultants will have regular interaction with HPRIDC through HPPWD and assist in formulating the suitable organization structure to have well defined functions, project implementation system, etc. The establishment of HPRIDC will enable the decision making and implementation much faster than the PWD set up. EXIBIT 2.8 : ORGANISATION STRUCTURE OF HPRIDC Organization Structure of Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Development Corporation CHIRMAN Chief Secretary to the Govt. of H.P. Managing Director Principal Secretary (PWD) to the Govt. of H.P. Principal Secretary (Finance) to the Govt. of H.P. Principal Secretary (Transport) to the Govt. of H.P. Principal Secretary (Revenue) to the Govt. of H.P. Principal Secretary (Forest) to the Govt. of H.P. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, H.P. Engineer-in-Chief HPPWD Chief Engineer Cum Project Director 2.3 WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS Louis Berger Group Inc. 17

24 The various environmental requirements of World Bank, GOI for the Part A of phase 1 Package 1 project roads are described below APPLICABILITY OF VARIOUS WB SAFE GUARD POLICIES The World Bank has 10 safeguard policies; the details and applicability of the safe guard policies to the Project road are provided in the exhibit 2.9. Environmental requirements of the World Bank are specified in detail in its Operational Policy (OP) 4.01 and other related OPs. In instances in which the procedural and regulatory requirements differ, the more stringent applies. The World Bank environmental requirements are based on a three-part classification system. Category A-requires a full Environmental Assessment (EA). Category B-projects require a lesser level of environmental investigation. Category C-projects require no environmental analysis. Internally WB classified the project in to category A requiring full Environmental Assessment. This classification is based on the type, location, sensitivity, and scale/magnitude of the State roads project. This could be largely due to the fragile environmental set up with its complex geological/tectonic set up for road widening and the diverse flora and fauna (bio diversity related issues) and due to the large number (hilly region) of project-affected people. In other words, the Bank classification is based on the anticipated cumulative environmental and social impacts due to the construction and operation of the Project. WB Safe- Guard Policy OP 4.01 Subject Category Environmental Assessment EXHIBIT 2.9 : APPLICABILITY OF WB SAFE GUARD POLICIES Triggered Or Not Reason For Its Applicability Mitigation Measures Triggered Umbrella policy All necessary mitigation measures incorporated. OP 4.04 Natural Habitats Triggered Eco-sensitive -Forestry and wildlife related issues A separate study is being carried out Documentation EIA and EMP required.2 OP 4.36 Forestry Not Triggered Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable OP 4.09 Pest Not triggered Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable Management OP 4.30 Involuntary Resettlement Triggered Road widening will lead to loss of livelihoods, loss of Comprehensive Action Plan Resettlement Action Plan OP 4.20 OP 4.11 (draft) Indigenous people Not triggered land and Buildings etc No separate Indigenous people development Plan is required for the Project. Cultural Property Triggered A number of temples, shrines, churches etc are located adjacent to road ROW. A Cultural property rehabilitation plan prepared. This is being studied Adequate mitigation measures if affected. EMP. prepared Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) prepared EMP & RAP are being prepared to minimise any adverse effect on the cultural properties 2 EIA & EMP prepared will be reviewed by an independent Consultant according to the Bank norms Louis Berger Group Inc. 18

25 Four out of ten safeguard policies are triggered by this project. Therefore implementation of the project in tune with these triggered safeguard policies is important. Further WB Clearance for the overall Programme will be is obtained, provided that: Feasibility studies and environmental screening studies are carried out Followed by detailed design and project-level environmental documentation when necessary and Provides assurance that the environmental issues will be properly addressed in the subsequent phases of the Programme, and All other feasibility, design, mitigation plans and financial responsibility requirements are acceptable. All other State level and National level permissions, clearances and approvals are obtained in a timely and phased manner. The Banks Operational Policy describes policy and procedures for projects that involve involuntary resettlement. The policy requires that projects minimize the need for involuntary resettlement. Banks policy aims to improve, or at a minimum, sustain the same standard of living of the people who will be displaced because of a development project. Where displacement is unavoidable, resettlement plans should pay particular attention to the vulnerable groups. In addition, the World Bank has special guidelines for addressing impacts upon the indigenous communities due to infrastructure projects. 2.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS The State level clearances are required prior to the Government of India (GOI) clearance for ecosensitive roads. The GOI clearance is to be obtained prior to the World Bank Approval. Details are provided in exhibit EXHIBIT 2.10 : ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS AND CLEARANCES REQUIRED PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION PHASE ENv. ISSUES MOEF for category A PCB & SEIAA STATE FOREST DEPT WILDLIFE DEPT WB PHED & WATER RESOURCES Local bodies Forest projects Yes for the forest land requirements Yes Forest clearance, approval for road side tree cutting and land requirements Wildlife Yes Yes Clearance required Environme nt Air/water/n oise related Water (impacts as well as constructio Yes EIA/EMP required No Clearance from Wildlife warden Clearance required Approval as per OP 4.01,4.04, Approval as per OP 4.01,4.04 YES No No Approval as per OP 4.01 Yes, Accordin g to water noise & Air Act No No Approval as per OP 4.01 No Yes No No Approval as per OP 4.01 DEPT No No No No Drinking water resources/water for construction, No No No No Yes 3 Involuntary Resettlement, The World Bank Operational Policy 4.30, June 1990 Louis Berger Group Inc. 19

26 n requireme nts) Debris disposal Land acquisition s and rehabilitati on No Yes No No Approval as per OP 4.01 Yes (RAP required) Yes For Forest land No Approval under OP and 4.30 No For disposal sites Yes ( e.g. parking areas) Bypasses considered in the project would require separate EIA clearance if the cost of the bypass exceeds INR 1000 million (100 crores). 2.5 APPLICABILITY OF LAND ACQUISITION ACT The entire procedure for the MOEF clearance as provided in the MOEF guidelines and MOEF hand book is provided below in exhibit This includes land acquisition part as well. The dates were provided to understand the time required to move to each step for achieving the requirements. This chart seems to be very essential as most of the time, the required time for various clearances and land acquisition is underestimated. From the practical experience it is also necessary to learn that the environmental clearance require less time than the land acquisition in reality. A flow chart each for Environmental clearance and Forest clearances is also provided in exhibit 2.11, 2.12 and EXHIBIT 2.11 : FLOW CHART FOR ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE INVESTOR Submits Project Questionaire to Concerned State Pollution Control Board District Level Hearings Apply to Union Minister of Environmental & Forests in prescribed questionaire Scoping by Investor Review by State Pollution Control Board Is the Environmental Management Plan Satisfactory Yes Can Issue be resolved SPCB issues NOC Does the Project fall under Schedule - 1 of EIA Notification No Apply to State DOEn for Environmental Clearance No Yes Reject Apply also to CCF in case forest land is involved Refer Exhibit 2.3 Is the Project site acceptable EAC Members undertake site visits Is site acceptable No Investor advised to look for alternate site Prepare comprehensive EIA or any specific study suggested by the committee No Submission of the Project to the Ministry of Environment & Forests along with all documents listed at Part I of the hand book Initial Scrutiny by staff of Ministry of Environmental & Forests Review by Environmental appraisal Committee of the Ministry of Environmental & Forests Is the Information provided adequate Yes No Can issues be resolved No Yes Is the Project acceptable Recommended by EAC Is there a Public outcry against the Project Yes Public hearings arranged Reject Environmental Clearance issued by Ministry of Environmental & Forests along with stipulations EAC - Environmental Appraisal Committee Source : GOI 1994 Louis Berger Group Inc. 20

27 EXHIBIT 2.12 : FOREST CLEARANCE PROCEDURE AS PER FOREST CONSERVATION ACT APPLICATION OF USER AGENCY TO DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER Scrutiny of application preparation of formal proposal Collector Identification of non-forest land Conservator of Forests (CF) Scrutiny, recommendation Nodal Officer Examination R C C F (MOEF) MOEF (Proposals above 20 hectares) Advisory Committee Site inspection for proposals above 40 ha of forest land Scrutiny, remarks, recommendation of Principle Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF - State) State Government (Forest Deptartment) Scrutiny, remarks, recommendation RCCF-MOEF (Proposals upto 20 hectares) Meeting recommendations Issue of orders by State Government State Government RCCC - Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (MOEF) MOEF - Ministry of Environment and Forest Examination & final decision for cases upto 5 ha forest land except those of mining and encroachment Examination & putting before State Advisory Group for proposals other than those mentioned above M O E F MONITORING R C C F FORMAL APPROVAL ORDER Recommendations of Advisory Committee M O E F Final decision issue of first stage approval State Government State Government's compliance report M O E F Source: MOEF EXHIBIT 2.13 : SIMPLIFIED MOEF - GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CLEARANCE & LAND ACQUISITION Category B category A ENGINEERING DESIGN COMPLETE Jun-06 SEIAA * EIA DOCUMENTATION COMPLETE COMMENTS COMMENTS RESTTELEMENT ACTION PLAN PREPARED CONSULTANTS ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARENCE CONSULTANTS Apr-01 OBTAINED WITH STIPULATIONS ATTACHED TO IT Jul-06 Application to Pollution Control Board Generally RAP not required By PWD and Submission to the LAO Preparation of land plan schedules Jul-06 PWD -HELP FROM CONSULTANTS CONSULTANTS & PWD Under section 4(1) in the Gazette and in two daily Publication by LAO of Notification Aug-06 Aug-06 Constitution- District Level Committees 20 copies of Project summary in HINDI Newspapers REVENUE DEPARTMENT MOEF Gazette Notification Allows filing of objections within 30 days of notice Preliminary survey to determine Oct-06 POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD Under section 5A by Stake holders exact portion of land to be acquired FOLLOW UP PWD PWD & REVENUE Sep-06 Notification in the Local & Regional All affected distrcts Under section 6 in the Gazette and two dailies Declaration of precise boundaries Oct-06 Newspapers- comments and concerns One in local language of the area to be acquired POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD REVENUE DEPARTMENT Public Hearing any day after 30 days Waiting period 30 days Under section 7 Issue of directions to the Collector Oct-06 Oct-06 of Paper Notification REVENUE DEPARTMENT POLLUTION CONTROL BORD Under section 8 Final land acquisition plan complete Oct-06 FOLLOW UP BY PWD PWD Nov-06 State level hearing with minutes Any stake holder can attend. In HP of meeting from all Affected distrcits Social Impact will get larger attention Under section 9 showing details of acquisition Issue of notices to land owners Apr-07 PWD & CONSULTANTS title holders submit claims of compensation. REVENUE DEPARTMENT APPLICATION TO MOEF WITH EIA, Under section 11 after enquiries to objections Declaration of award of Jun-07 Dec-06 RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP) compensation within two years or else it lapses. compensation by District Collector FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT PWD & REVENUE DEPARTMENT PWD -ASSISTANCE FROM CONSULTANTS Presentation to MOEF Possession of land taken Aug-07 Feb-07 Engineering, Environmental & after payment of award Social experts REVENUE DEPARTMENT PWD -ASSISTANCE FROM CONSULTANTS CONSTRUCTION/UPGRADING OF ROAD Aug-07 * State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority Notes 1 This projection is based on an estimated time scale with start date as June The dates indicate estimated dates Prepared by Consultants 3 The text in upper case under each box indicates resposibilities Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Development Corporation Louis Berger Group Inc. 21

28 CHAPTER 3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION This Chapter provides the location of the project roads and short description of the project roads that could clearly identify the road with its geographic location. In HP geographic location itself has high significance due to the fragile environmental parameters. The last part of the chapter describes the proposed improvements (civil works) in the project, proposed up gradation and available ROW. The SOS recommended proposed up-gradation for all corridors are provided in the heading of respective Corridor description. The exhibit 3.1 is a list of roads considered for the Feasibility study and Environmental and social screening studies. The list provides the most important linking towns and settlements and the total length of each road. 3.1 PROJECT ROADS Sl. No. EXHIBIT 3.1 : LIST OF ROADS CONSIDERED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING Name of Road Proposed length for upgradation (in km) Study Road No. 1 MeHATPUR U N a Mubarikpur Daulatpur H.P. boundary Road (Section Una to Amb) Una Aghar- Barsar- Jahu- Bhambla- Mandi-upto Ner Chowk road* Theog- Kothkhai- Hatkoti- Rohroo- Chirgaon- Sandhasu ,29 4 Jogindernagar Sarkaghat- Ghumarwin Road (except NH 70 section) Naina Devi- Kaula Da Toba Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Nahan (Dosarka) Markanda (Khajurna) bridge Suketi park Kala Amb Trilokpur ,20 8 Lal Dhank -Paonta Rajban- Hatkoti (Section LalDhank to Shillai except NH) Chailla-Sainj-Neripul-Yashwantnagar-Ochhghat-Kumarhatti Sanij Chopal Nerwa Shallu (Section Sanij to Chopal) Shallaghat Arki Kunihar Barotiwala Sainj Anni Banjar Aut (Section Sainj to Jalori and Aut to Banjar) Shimla Tattapani Mandi (Section Dhalli to Tatapani) Shimla Kunihar Ramshehar Nalagarh Ghanoli (from Nalagarh to HP Boundary) Dharamshal Dadh Palampur Holta Chadihar Sandhol (Section Dharamshala to Palampur) Jawalamukhi Dehra Jawali Raja-ka-Talab (Section Dehra to Raja-ka-Talab) Mubarikpur Dehra Ranital Kotla road (Section Dehra to Ranital and Ranital to Kotla) ,16 18 Nurpur Lahru Tunnuhatti Hamirpur Sujanpur Tihra Thural Maranda Louis Berger Group Inc. 22

29 Sl. No. Name of Road Proposed length for upgradation (in km) Study Road No. 20 Shahpur Sihunta Chowari Jot Chamba Bharmour (Section Draman to Chowari) Gaggal Chetru Dharamshala Mcleodganj (Section Gaggal to Dharamshala) Dadh Malan Swarghat Naina Devi Bhakra (Section Kanchimore to Bhakra) Kaloha Pragpur Daliara Dadasibba Sansarpur (Section Kaloha to Nehranpukhar) Damtal Kandrori Indora Khatiar Bamta Kandrour Bharwain Chintpurni Kandrori Damtal (Section Bharwain to Sansarpur Terrace) Chail chowk Gohar Pandoh (Section Dadour to Gohar) Barsar Deothsidh (Section Barsar to Shahtalia) Kufri -Chail Kandaghat Mandi Kataula- Bajaura Bhawarna -Lambagaon Jaisinghpur Kullu Nagar- Manali (Left Bank) Ghatasni Bhubhu Jot Kullu Dharampur Kasauli Panjera Bharatgarh Panjera Dehni Approach to proposed Lathiani bridge Swarghat Bilaspur via Jagatkhana(New alignment) Banikhet Dalhousie Khajjiar (Section Banikhet to Dalhousie) Total Say 1675 km 3.2 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ROADS This section describes all road sections provided in exhibit 3.1 in the same order of preference. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) SOS proposal 1 Mehatpur Una- Mubarikpur Daulatpur -H.P. boundary Road (Section Una to Amb) With a total length of 45 kms, this project road connects Mehatpur, Una, Jhalera and Amb towns/ and r settlements. Actually this consists of two roads. 1) Mehatpur municipal town located in Punjab border links to the Una municipal town with a length of 12 kms and then (2) The road connects Una municipal town to Amb Muncipal town Louis Berger Group Inc. 23

30 The first section has been included in late February after the preparation of Inception report. Total length of this road is 45kms. This is a continuous section with zero chainage located in the State of Punjab. Mehatpur town is located in Himachal Pradesh at a Chainage Therefore the first five kms in the State of Punjab is not coming within the purview of this project. Una town is located at Chainage km and Amb urban settlement at km In the State of Himachal Pradesh, this road is unique as it is the only highway located in the plains. Therefore HPPWD officials feel that this section has the potential to develop as a model highway in Himachal Pradesh. The other prominent settlements along the corridor are Lalsinghi, Jhelra, Basal, Turi, Ghandawal, Dhussada, Behra, Baruhi, Chururu, Nandpur and Undiyari. ROW available on this corridor varies between 18m to 26m. The land use along this corridor is of mixed nature including agriculture, commercial, residential and commercial cum residential. The land use at Una, Mehtapur and Jhalera is mostly commercial cum residential. This road has a well preserved avenue plantation with a stock of over 5000 trees. This road has a two lane carriageway with shoulder widths varying from 1.5 m to 2.5; from the drainage point of view it is located in the flood plains with an average embankment height of about 0.5 to 1m. In total there are 11 of bridges all of which are submersible and narrow for the two lane standard of 12 m width. Based on the local enquiry during reconnaissance survey road section was affected by flood in the year 1989 and majority of the bridges have recorded overtopping of 4 to 5 ft above the existing formation level. From the environmental point of view there are large numbers of big trees on either side of the existing road. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 2 Una Aghar- Barsar- Jahu- Bhambla- Mandi-upto Ner Chowk road* SOS proposal Louis Berger Group Inc. 24

31 This section starts at Una town in an intersection with Una-Amb road and ends at Nerchowk located at a road junction along National Highway ( NH-20) well connected to Mandi town 10 km away. This section materialises the link of two important towns of the HP viz., Una and Mandi. The link between Mandi and Nerchowk is already there along the National Highway (NH 20). This road passes through extensive forest areas. Both the section does not pass through any legally defined eco-sensitive areas and the land requirement for widening is also minimal; therefore this project does not require environmental clearance (EC) form the Ministry of environment and Forest (MOEF), Government of India. Nevertheless for the purpose of the analysis and for the documentation the general standards of MOEF apply to this document also. This includes analysis of a 14 km corridor with the PIA of 7 km on either side of the centre line of the project road. First 24 km section is two lane carriageway with about 6.6 m and beyond this, about 40 to 50 % length is single lane with carriage way width less than 3.5 m and the remaining length is of narrow 2-lane to intermediate lane width. At km 2.2 the project road crosses single lane broad gauge line. Overall road condition is from fair to poor condition. There are about 3 no of submersible bridges in between Una and Jahu. At km 92 the crusher is located at left hand of side of road. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements No 3 Gaggal -Chetru Dharamshala- Mcleodganj (Section Gaggal to Dharamshala) Length (kms) SOS proposal The road diverts from Gaggal from NH-20. The total length of the road is km. Gaggal is very near to Kangra and Nagrota Bagwan. Brajeshwari Devi temple is near to Gaggal. There is an air port at Gaggal. Dharamsala is the district head quarter of Kangra. Dharamsala is regarded as the little Lhasa in India the places of tourists interests near Dharamsala are war memorial (3 km), Kunal pathri (3 km), Kangra art museum, St. John s Church (7 km), Mcleod ganj (9 km) and Bhagsunath. Mata chamunda temple, Dal lake and Kareri lake are near to Dharamsala. This road section starts in an intersection with Gaggal road and traversing in south easterly direction. The section predominantly passes through built up area with narrow two lane cross section with the exception of the first 2 to 3 km from Gaggal. The section close to Dharamshala is congested as shown in the following picture with no available space for pedestrian movement. From Gaggal until km three huge trees are located on both sides of the road, which require removal for upgrading of the existing carriageway. Louis Berger Group Inc. 25

32 Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 4 Shimla Kunihar Ramshehar Nalagarh Ghanoli (from Nalagarh to HP Boundary) Length (kms) SOS proposal This project road is located in the HP State boundary with Punjab in the district Solan. Total length of the road is km. This project road starts at Nalagarh. The starting chain age is 105 and ending chain age is 116. Important places of the route are Nalagarh, Dharowala and Ghanoli. Nalagarh is an industrial area and well connected to other industrial areas like Baddi and Barotiwala. The fort at Nalagarh is a heritage structure showing Mughal architecture. This is not a central listed archaeological structure. The end point of the road is at Ghanoli. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 5 Naina Devi- Kaula Da Toba SOS proposal This corridor is very important because of its Pilgrimage/tourism potential due to the famous Naina Devi Temple, which is among the most important five goddess temples in the region. The road takes off from Naina Devi, traversing through rolling to hilly terrain with mostly cut fill section of the road. The road is located close to the reserve/protected forest with wildlife. The project road is close to two wildlife sanctuaries. Brief discussions with the local community revealed that during the peak season which starts from end of March to June, the Naina Devi has problems associated with parking, in addition to this, pedestrian movement is also very in high number during this season. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 6 Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Nahan(Dosarka) 78.0 SOS propos al Louis Berger Group Inc. 26

33 Most of the road is located in Sirmour Distrcit with few kms at starting point falling in Solan District. At the starting point road diverts from NH-22 at Kumarhatti. District headquarter Solan is 40 km away from Kumarhatti and is linked by NH-22. Parwanoo an industrial area is linked to Kumarhatti by NH-22 and is 25 km away from it. Other nearest towns from Kumarhatti on NH-22 are Dharampur (4km) and Barog (9 km). Main places in this road are Naina tikker and Sarahan. From Dosarka on the way, road diverts to important pilgrimage center Renuka ji. Renuka ji is famous for Renuka Mata Temple, Gayatri temple, lake and Renuka fair, which is held in the month of November. Very near to Sarahan is a place named Kwagdhar, which is developing tourist station. Bhureshwar Temple located at Kwagdhar is at very height and there is good scenic view all around from this place. The other end of the road ends at Nahan wich is a place of tourist s attraction. Nahant is linked to industrial areas Kala Amb (14 km) and Poanta Sahib (45 km). Nahan is famous for its Gurudwara and Ranital Lake. Majority of the project road section has cut/fill cross section with terrain varying from rolling to Hilly (predominantly hilly terrain. This road links State with Uttaranchal and vital route connecting neighbouring States of Punjab & Haryana with Dehradun. Carriageway width, with the exception of a few built-up areas, is single lane. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 7 Joginder Nagar- Srakaghat- Ghumarwin Road (Except Nh-70Section) Length (kms) SOS proposal Louis Berger Group Inc. 27

34 The total road length of this road is 82.9 km. The complete road covers three districts i e Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Mandi. Starting point of the road at Jogindernagar at zero chainage, diverts from NH-20. Jogindernagar is attached to Mandi by NH-20 and is famous for large hydroelectric project. The reservoir is located at Barot. Bassi power station is 5 km from Joginder nagar. Nearby at the sacred spot of Machhinhar, people feed fishes and fishing is prohibited here. The important places along the road are Machhyal, Makridi, Bashi, Sarkaghat, Nabahi devi, Fatehpur, Ponta, Bhamla, Baldwara and Ghumarvi. Beas river crosses the road at Kandapatan bridge. For 20 km from chainage 40 to 62 (Sarkaghat) road is continues with national high way. The road ends at Ghumarvi at chainage 104. Bilaspur located on NH-21 is 30 km away from Ghumarvi. Jogindarnagar -Sarkaghat- Gumarawain The project road section starts at the Junction with NH 20, in Jogiderangar. The first 0.5 km section is located close to the bus stand passes through highly congested urban section. Maximum available width on these sections is about 10m. At km40.5 and km76, the study road coincides with NH70 and Una-Aghar-Ner chowk road, respectively. Majority of the road section can be classified as hilly to rolling terrain with about 80% of the road with single lane carriageway. The road section passing through Sarkaghat is a completely built up area with commercial activity on both sides of the road. Observed maximum road width on this section ranges from 4m to 6m only. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements No 8 Lal Dhank-Paonta-Rajban-Hatkoti (SectionLal-Dhank to Shillai Except NH-70) Length (kms) SOS proposal This section located in Sirmour district starts at Lal Dhank in Paonta Sahib Tehsil and ends at Shillai This road connects two Tehsils i.e Paonta Sahib and Shillai of District Sirmour. It is well connected to Paonta Sahib at Badripur at location This road passes through forest area at Rajban after that from Sataun to Shillai it passes through the mine areas of Kamroo Sub tehsil. There are more than 50 stone quarries along the road sides. At Paonta, there is Gurudwara. Simbalwara Wildlife Sanctuary is located with in the PIA. There are Reserve forests (RF) along this section. Therefore this project requires Environmental clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF). The other prominent along the corridor are Paonta Sahib, Badripur, Rajban, Sataun, Kamroo, Kafota, Timbi, and Shillai. The land use along this corridor is of mixed nature i.e agriculture, commercial, residential, and commercial cum residential. The land use at Sataun and Kamroo is mostly commercial. Louis Berger Group Inc. 28

35 Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 9 Hamirpur- Sujanpur -Tihra -Thural -Maranda 58.9 SOS proposal Total length of the road is 58.9 km and lies in two districts i. e. Hamirpur and Kangra. Starting chainage is zero at Hamirpur and ends at Maranda at 59 km chain age. The complete stretch of the road passes through forest and cultivated area. The important places along the road are Anoo, Kutheda, Chabutra, Banal, Sujanpur, Alampur, Naun, and Reporta moondhi, Nagni, Duroh and Bhawarna. The historic town Hamirpur is the head quarter of the district and lies on Shimla Dharamsala road. The fort built by Raja Hamir chand is a State controlled Archaeological structure. 22 km away along the project road lies historic and religious center Sujanpur Tira. The annual fair of Holi is held here for 4 days. There are five old temples of which Gauri Shankar, Murli Manohar, Narbdeshwar are most important. Sujanpura Tira is also known for its Sainik School and is considered ideal for adventure sports like paragliding, angling, rafting and trekking. After Sujanpur the entire road is in Kangra district only. From Maranda Mata Chamunda Devi Temple is very near. Picturesque Palampur set amidst tea plantation and pine trees having exceptional scenic beauty and bracing climate is also nearby. Andreta, famous for Shobha singh art gallery and Baijnath, a secred shrine dedicated to lord Shiva are also accessible from Maranda. On the way there is Police training center at Duroh. Along the road there is railway crossing very near to Maranda. The Narbedeswar temple and Sujanputira fort are GOI listed Archaeological structure. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 10 Dharamshal Dadh Palampur Holta Chadihar Sandhol (Section Dharamshala to Palampur) Total length of the road is 33km. The road starts at Dharamsala. The road passes by famous shrine of Mata Chamunda Devi and joins Palampur at NH-20. Palampur is famous for tea plantation and its exceptional scenic beauty. Tourist locations around Palampur are Neugal khad, Shobha singh art gallery at Andreta (13km), Shiva temple of nagri style at Baijnath (16km), Bir and Billing (14km). Length (kms) SOS proposal This project road consists of two road sections the first one is from Dharmashala (km 0) until Chamunda Devi temple (km 14) and the second road section starts at Palanpur (km 72) and terminates at Dadh village (Km 90). The road Louis Berger Group Inc. 29

36 section between Palanpur to Chamunda Devi section passes through Yol Cantonement area for a length of about 2 km. The carriageway width is of two-lane carriageway until Cantonment area, beyond which, the carriageway width becomes intermediate lane to narrow two lane width. The second section is of intermediate lane carriageway for most of the length new 2-lane bridge constructed between the two sections which are situated next to Chamunda Devi temple. Subsequent to the reconnaissance visit consultant s team were informed by the HPRIDC and PWD that this road section has been omitted from the present study as most of the rehabilitation and improvement are nearing completion under different schemes. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 11 Dadh- Malan SOS proposal Entire road section is located in Kangra district with a total length of 4 km. The road starts at Dadh. At Dadh there is famous Temple of Chamunda Mata on the bank of river Baner with Dhauladhar in the blackdrop. On the rear side is a sacred shivalinga. Dadh is well connected to Dharamsala and Palampur by the other project road Dharamsala-Palampur. The road ends at Malan at NH-20. Malan is linked to Palampur, Nagrota Bagwan and Gaggal by NH- 20. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 12 Swarghat- Naina Devi -Bhakra (Section Kanchimore to Bhakra) Length (kms) 37 SOS proposal With a total length of the road 37km, the entire road is in district Bilaspur only. At starting chain age zero, the road is diverted from NH-21 at Kainchi more. Kainchimore is well connected to Swarghat and Bilaspur by national high way. Swarghat was once the summer capital of the Raja of Bilaspur. The road passes through a wildlife sanctuary after Naina Devi to Bhakra. The Govind Sagar Lake and sanctuary is also nearby. The important places of the road are Naina Devi and Bhakhra. Both these places are of tourist s interests. The sacred shrine of Naina Devi is one of the most important Hindu pilgrim centers of the State. The temple nestles a top a 915-meter hill overlooking the sacred town of Anandpur sahib in Punjab on one side and Gobind Sagar Lake on the other side. According to mythological legends the eye of Sati, the consort of Shiva fell here. The rope way at Naina Devi Jee also attracts the people. From Naina Devi there is road access to sacred town Anandpur sahib in Punjab. The road ends at Louis Berger Group Inc. 30

37 Bhakra. The gigantic Bhakra dam rising to a height of 226 metres is one of the highest straight gravity dams in the world. Nangal is connected to Bhakhra and is only 15 km away. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 13 Kaloha to Nehranpukhar 11.2 SOS proposal The total length of the road is 11.2 km. The town Kaloha is at 11 km chain age and is connected to national high way. The complete road is in Kangra district and joins national high ways at both ends. The important places along the road are Sadwaan, Bani, and Paragpur. At Bani there is the famous Channoo Siddh temple very near to road. Paragpur on the way is first ever heritage village in India. There is a famous museum and art gallery at Paragpur. Nehranpukhar is well connected to Chintpurni temple, Dehra, Ranital and Kangra. Famous Jwalamukhi is also accessible from here. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 14 Dramtal-Kandrori-Indora-Khatiar 52 SOS proposal The total length of the road is 52 kms. The complete stretch of the road is in Kangra district. Road starts from NH with start chainage zero. The important places along the road are Andorra, Biattarian, Indora, Lambi pattian, Palakhi, Rajgir, Duhag, Re and Sthana. The whole route is near to Punjab border. Along the roadside, there is cultivated area and some forest area also. Dramtal has an access to Pathankot, which is well attached to railway line. On the way Indora is industrial area and is connected to Nurpur by a link road. The famous Shahnahar is at Talwara which is eight km away from the road. This area is very dry. Pong dam site is near to Khatiar and can be viewed from here. Louis Berger Group Inc. 31

38 Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length SOS proposal 15 &16 Dehra - Ranital - Kotla kms Total length of the road is 59.6 kms. It is actually in two sections i.e. Dehra to Ranital and Ranital to Dehra. Complete stretch of the road is in Kangra district only. At starting point road diverts From NH at Dehra. The important places along the road are Maangarh, Bankhandi, Darkata, Ranital, Nagmandir, Ranital, Gahlia, Bassi, Lapiana, Harchakkian and Trilokpur. Dehra is linked to Chintpurni temple and Jwala mukhi temple. At Dehra-Gopipur there is fishing base along the riaver Beas. On the way to Ranital from Dehra there is Famous fort built by Mughals at Maangarh known as Maangarh fort. At Bankhandi there is famous temple of Mata Bagla Mukhi. The first section ends at Ranital on NH. Ranital is linked to Jawala Mukhi temple, Kangra, Gaggal and Dharamsala. The second section starts from Raital also diverting from NH and ends at Kotla. At Trlokpur road join Nh-20. At Trilokpur there is confluence of different religions-a Hindu temple, Buddhist monastery and a Gurudwara. At Kotla there is an old fort and Mata Bagla Mukhi temple. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 17 Bamta -Kandrour SOS proposal This alignment will reduce the distance between Bilaspur and Ghumarwin. This road section is the main alternate link connecting NH21 with NH88 at Kandrour. The Road starts at Bata diverting from NH21 and joining at Kandrour after 6.60km. At Kandrour, the bridge over the river Satluj is 80m height. This is the Asia s highest bridge according to the written note over the bridge. Louis Berger Group Inc. 32

39 Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements No 18 Bharwain-Chintpurni-Kandrori-Damtal (Section Bharwain - Sansarpur Terrace) Length (kms) SOS proposal Total length of the road is km. The road starts from Sansarpur Terrace and meet ends at Bharwain. Sansarpur Terrace is an industrial area. Pong reservoir is near to Sansarpur Terrace. The important places of the route are Goraldhar, Jorbar, Dharamsala Mahant and Chintpurni. 5 km before Bharwain is Temple of Mata Chintpurni Devi. It is one of the major pilgrimage centers of Himachal Pradesh. There is one more famous Temple of Mata Sheetala on the way. Mubarakpur and Amb are 13 and 17 km away from Bharwain respectively. Dharamshala Mahant, the village near to Chintpurni Mata Temple is noted for fine murals and wall paintings. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 19 Shalaghat-Arki-Kunihar-Barotiwala 80.4 SOS proposal The total length of the road is 80.4 km. the road actually starts from Shalaghat at zero km chain age. The important stations along the route are Arki, Hatkot, Kunihar, Sabathu and Patta. Shalghat is well linked to Bilaspur and Shimla at the distance of 43 and 41 km respectively. Road has great historical importance. There is an old palace at Arki. It has been now converted into a heritage hotel. The Jakholi temple is noted for its architectural beauty. Also there are three forts on the way at Arki, Sabathu and Kuthar. Sabathu fort is also known as Gurkha fort. Sabathu is a small cantonment town and linked to Solan (27 km) and Casual by two different roads. Barotiwala is an industrial area. It is connected to Baddi and Nalagarh on one side and on the other side it connects Pinjaur in Haryana. Louis Berger Group Inc. 33

40 Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements No 20 & 21 Markanda (Khajurna) bridge Suketi park Kala Amb- Trilokpur Length (kms) 21.5 kms SOS proposal The total road length is 21.5 kms. But the road is in two sections. One form Khajurna bridge to Kala Amb and other from Kala ambo to Trilokpur. Suketi Fossil Park is 4 km away from Kala Amb Kala Amb is an industrial area. On the way to Trilokpur from Kala Amb there ere many industries. There is a famous Temple of Mata Bala Sundri at Trilokpur. A lot of tourists visit this temple every year. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 22 Panjera -Bharatgarh SOS proposal With total length of Kms this project road actually connects Punjab boarder with Himachal Pradesh. These are two roads 1) Panjera to Dehni and Panjera to Bharatgarh having the starting chainage at Panjera both Connects the Punjab boarder at NH-21. Panjera is already connected with NH-21 at Swarghat thus these roads can be the other option for Himachal and can reduce the traffic intensity of Chandigarh -Manali Leh Road. Nalagarh town is located at 15 Kms. this road is shortest as it is the only way which links the Punjab boarder with Himachal. This road does not pass through any legally defined eco-sensitive area and the land required for strengthening is also available. Therefore this project does not require environmental clearance (EC) from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF). Louis Berger Group Inc. 34

41 Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 23 Panjer -Dehni 9.00 SOS proposal With total length of 9.00 Kms this section starts at Panjera and ends at Dehni located at a road junction along National Highway NH-21-A. This project road actually connects NH-21 In Punjab State. Having the starting chainage at Panjera this road Connects the Punjab boarder at NH- 21.Nalagarh is situated at 16 Kms away from the Panjera. This road is also shortest option with better road for Himachal and can reduce the traffic intensity of Chandigarh-Manali Leh Road. This road is important from the indusrial point of view as the JP Cement plant is situated on this road at chainage 10/00. This Sections does not passes through any legally defined Eco-Sensitive areas and land is required for widening/ up gradation of this road therefore this project does not require environmental clearance(ec) from the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF). Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 24 Shimla Tattapani Mandi(Section Dhalli To Tatapani) SOS propos al With the total road length of 46 km this road starts from Dhalli 8 km away from Shimla. The road diverts from NH-22. Kufri and Theog are at distance 6km and 22km from Dhalli and are on NH- 22. Important towns of the route are Dhalli, Mashobra, Naldehra and Tatta pani. Mashobara famous for apple orchards lies in thick forest. The Goddess Durga Temple is worth seeing there. The scenic site Naldehra is famous for its golf course. An ancient Nag temple is also located there at Naldehra. There are hot water sulphur springs at Tattapani. The River Satluj crosses from Tatta pani. Tatta pani is linked to Chindhi (47 km). The sites worth visit around Chindhi are Mamleshwar Mahadev Temple (13 km); Kamaksha Devi Temple (19 km) and Shikari Devi Temple (18 km). Louis Berger Group Inc. 35

42 Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 25 Chail chowk Gohar- Pandoh (Dadohar to Gohar) 20.3 SOS proposal Total length of the road is 20.3 km. At starting point Dadohar, the chain age is 185. Dadohar town is located along NH-21. Important places along the roadside in this road are Lohara, Ropari, Chail Chowk and Ganai Dadohar is well connected to Sundernagar and Mandi. The beautiful town of Sunder nager is noted for its scenic splendour and the temples of Sukhddev Vatica and Mahamaya. A district headquarters Mandi, famous for its Shivaratri and is popularly referred, as varanasi of hills is the important historical, cultural and religious centre of Himachal Pradesh. Rewalsar the holy lake (wetland) with floating islands is equally sacred to Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists is also accessible from Dadohar. Along the roadsides there lies cultivated area and forest area. The road ends at Gohar. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 26 Barsar- Deothsidh (Section Barsar to Shahtalia) 11.3 SOS proposal The total length of the road is 11.3 km. This road diverts from the corridor no 2; Una-Nerchowk from Barsar. Barsar is well connected to Una, Bangana and Bhota. The starting point of the road at Barsar (zero chain age) is in Hamirpur district and last point at Shahtalai (11 km chain age) is in Bilaspur district. The road is very important from religious point of view as the Famous shrine of Baba Balak Nath Ji, a great devotee of lord Shiva is just 4 km away from the Shahtalai in Hamirpur district. Every year in Chaitra (March-April) a moth long fair is held at here. Also the scenic view of Govind Sagar Lake nearby is place of tourist s interests. Louis Berger Group Inc. 36

43 Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 27 Jawalamukhi Dehra Jawali Raja-ka-Talab (Section Dehra to Raja-ka-Talab) Length (kms) kms SOS proposal The complete road of 75 km lies in Kangra district only. The road starts at Dehra at 11 km chainage. Dehra is a big town of the route. There is an access from Dehra to Ranital, Kangra, Jawala Mukhi temple and Chintpurni temple. The important places along the route are Sapru, Haripur, Guler, Nagrota Suriyan, Amlela, Harsar, and Jawali. Pong reservoir is also nearby. Maharana Pratap migratory bird sanctuary is on the way. The Haripur village is full of temples and small ponds. Guler is famous for its fort and oldest school of paintings. There is railway crossing at Guler. Raja ka Tale is linked to Pathankot and Nurpur. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length no (kms) 28 & 29 Theog- Kothkhai- Hatkoti Rohroo- Chirgaon- Sandhasu SOS proposal With a total length of kms these Project roads connects Theog and Rohru, i.e., two major settlements. This section starts at Theog town from NH-22.and ends at Sandhansu at Km which is well connected to Rohru, Chirgaon this is the only connectivity to the Dodra-kwar hard difficult and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh. This road is helpful in transporting all goods, passengers as well as the most prominent apple crop and cash crops of this far flung area of Himachal Pradesh. Therefore this road passes through Archaeological/historical importance sites at Hat Koti mata Temple which was constructed by the Pandavas. The other prominent settlements along the corridor are Chhaila, Gumma, Louis Berger Group Inc. 37

44 Kot-Khai, Kharha-Pathar, Jubbal, Hat-Koti, Rohru and Chirgaon. ROW available on this corridor varies between 12m to 18 m. The land use along this corridor is of mixed nature including agriculture, horticulture, commercial, residential and commercial cum residential. This road has road side trees with stock of over 25,000 trees. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 30 Kufri- Chail- Kandaghat SOS proposal Total length of the road is 57 km. the road is linking National highway 22 at Kufri and Kandaghat. Kufri is at equal distance from Shimla and Theog i.e. approximately 15km. Solan is 15 km away from Kandaghat. Kufri is a very famous tourist place. It is also a skiing resort. It has a beautiful valley view all around. There is potato research institute at Kufri. Fagu a scenic site lies on the Hindustan Tibbat road and is 6 km away from Kufri. Chayal is in the middle of Kufri and Kandaghat. Chayal is also a tourist place. The magnificent green-roofed Palace amidst thick deodar trees at Chail was built in It has now been converted into premium heritage hotel. Chail cricket ground, built up in 1893 at an elevation of 2444 metres is the highest cricket ground of the world. There is wild life sanctuary at Chail. The major fauna is ghoral, barking deer, sambar, red jungle fowl, khalij and cheer pheasants. Reserve forest is also in this route at Chail. After Chail, there is a picturesque village Sadhupul on the bank of Ashwani khad. The famous Mohan Meakin Brewery set up in 1835 is 10 km away from Kandaghat on NH-22. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 31 Mandi- Katula-Bajaura SOS proposal Total length of this road is 51 km. the road starts by bifurcation of National high way very near to Mandi at place Khaliar. The road passes through beautiful vallies. It joins national high way at Bajaura. The road has great importance as it is linking Mandi (a district Head quarter) and Kullu, which is only 15 km away from Bajaura. Mandi is a tourists place having many temples like Bhoot Nath Temple, Mata Mangla Temple and Radha krishan Temple. Mandi is famous for its Shivaratri, which has been declared as national festival. The important places in this route are Roohnj, Katindi, Kataula, Kamand, Salgi, Naandli, Sandoh, Segli and Rala. The 8th century shrine of Basheshwar Louis Berger Group Inc. 38

45 Mahadev is located at Bajaura. It is noted for exquisite of carvings and sculptures. This temple is in the centre list of Archeology. Some areas are affected by snow in this route. Apple orchards are also found in some areas near to Bajaura. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 32 Sainj -Chaupal- Nerwa -Shallu(section Sainj to Chopal ) SOS proposal richest village of the asia, all because of the apples. With the total length of 47 km this road starts from Sainj and ends at Chaupal. It actually diverts the other road of the same project i, e Chhaila-Kumarhatti, 7 km away from the Chhaila. Further this road has a link to Shilai- Laldhank. The important areas of this route are Sainj, Lelupul, Tarpaper, Deha, Khirki, Chambi and Chaupal. There is a thick zone of continues forest from Deha to Chaupal. The major flora is chir, deodar, rai, ban etc. texus bacata trees are also found in this route, which is helpful in cancer treatment (research is going on). Chaupal, the complete tehsil is full of apple orchards. From khirki there is a road access to a village Madawag which is regarded as the There is newly built apple cold storage at Sainj. Also there is a Temple of Lankar Bir Maharaj very near to the road at chaupal. Famous peak Churdhar and Temple of Bijat Maharaj is near to Chaupal. the valley view from Chaupal is very exiting. There is a place Ghadala at Chaupal having tourism importance. There is also road access to all other places of the whole tehsil from Chaupal. Nerwa is 26 km away fro Chaupal, a sub Tehsil. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 33 Bhawarna-Lambagaon-Jaisinghpur SOS proposal Total road length connecting the two locations is 36kms but only 25 kms has been considered in the feasibility study. The total length of the road is The starting point, Bhawarna also comes in other project road i.e. Hamirpur Maranda. Bhawarna is well linked to Palampur, Dharamsala and Sujanpur Tira. The important places of the route are Kheira, Chhainchhara, Shivnagar, Rotlu and Bhatwara. The road at Jaisinghpur. Louis Berger Group Inc. 39

46 Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 34 Nurpur-Lahru-Tunnuhatti Total length of the road is 42.1 km and lies in Kangra and Chamba districts. The important places along the route are Hindora ghrat, Sadwan, Gurchal, Malkwad, LahruKakira and Kamladi. At starting point the road diverts from Nurpur, the town located on NH-20. The town is well connected to Pathankot, Gaggal and Dharamsala. There is railway junction at Pathankot and an air port at Gaggal. Nurpur is well known for an old fort, a temple of Brij Raj and Nurpuri shawls. Jahangir named the town after his wife Nurjahan. Gurchal on the way is famous for an old well, which souce of tourist s attraction. Along the complete road stretch there are forest, cultivated area and built up area at some places. Lahru is a junction point where other project road i.e. Draman-Chawari also meet. From Lahru there is an access to Chamba also. There is fascinating valley view from the road near Tunnuhatti. At Tunnuhatti the road joins the National high way. These segments comprise of sections of SH27 and SH 28.. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 35 Shahpur Sihunta Chowari Jot Chamba Bharmour (Section Draman to Chowari) Length (kms) 53.4 kms The complete road is 53.4 km and lies in Kangra and Chamba district. The road diverts from NH-20 at Draman, which is three km away from Shahpur. Nurpru Gaggal and Dharamsala are three important stations, which are near to Draman and well connected by national highway. There is an airport at Gaggal 15 km away from Draman. Starting chainage at Draman is zero. The important places along the road are Draman, Thulel, Badraman, Sihunta, Khola, Dentha, Lahru and Chowari. Lahru is junction point where other road of the project i.e. Nurpur-Tunnuhatti meet. After Lahru the road is very much prone to landslides. Chowari is linked to tourist place Khajiar and which is further linked to Dalhousie and Chamba. Louis Berger Group Inc. 40

47 Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 36 Banikhet -Dalhousie -Khajjiar (Section Banikhet to Dalhousie ) Total length of Banikhet -Dalhousie is km. The road starts at Banikhet and ends at Dalhousie. Most of the road is in thick forest. Surkhighat is the only settlement along the road. After two km (Surkhighat) the cantonment area starts and continues up to Dalhousie. Banikhet is important tourist s station. Chamera hydropower project is very near to Banikhet. There is a famous Nag temple at Padhar Maidan at Banikhet. There is a road link from Dalhousie to Khajiar (known as mini Switzerland) and Chamba. Chamba is also directly linked to Banikhet. Kala top-khajiar wildlife sanctuary is also very near to Dalhousie. Dalhousie is a hill station. Panchpula near to Dalhousie is tourist s attraction. There is Subhash chowk at Dalhousie named after Subhash Chandra Bose as he stayed at Dalhousie for some time. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements 37 Sainj Anni Banjar Aut(Section Sainj to Jalori and Aut to Banjar) 72 km Length (kms) SOS proposal The total road length of the two sections of the road is 72 km. the first section starts from Sainj diverting NH-22. Rampur located on the right bank of river Satluj on NH-22 is 45 km away from Sainj. It is famous for Lavi trade fair. The project road covers 3 km in Shimla and at Luhri after crossings River Satluj it enters Kullu district. The important places of the route are Luhri, Behna, Ani and Shamshar. The adjoining areas of the road are rich in apple orchards. The temples at Shamshar and Behna are very old. This is the shortest route to Manali from Shimla. There is fascinating view of the Kullu valley and snow capped peaks from Jalori pass. The other section of the road starts at Banjar. Aut is located on NH 21 and is 45 km away from Mandi. Kullu on NH- 21 is 35 km away from Aut. There is hydropower project at Larji. Larji and Banjar are trout fishing sites. The important places in this section of the road Louis Berger Group Inc. 41

48 are Manglore and Larji. While moving from Banjar to Aut some road lies in Mandi districts also. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 38 Chhaila -Sainj -Neripul -Yashwanynagar -Ochhghat Kumarhatti 86.3 SOS proposal The total length of the road is 86.3 km. with starting point of road diverts from Corridor No- 28; another project road Theog-Rohru at Chhaila. The start chainage is zero. The Chhaila is linked to Theog and Shimla and Rohru. The road has got great importance, as it is shortest link to Chandigarh helping mostly the apple growers of the Jubbal, Kotkhai, Rohru and Chaupal regions. The important places of the road are Sainj, Mipul, Balag, Neripul, Shelonbag, Ochhghat, Nauni and Kumarhatti. From Sainj there is a link to Chaupal. Also there is an old palace and newly built apple cold storage. Many people visit the temple at Mipul along the road every year. There is a very old temple of Lord Shiva at Balag. Nauni is Famous for Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. The road ends at Kumarhatti. Which is linked to Sloan, Shimla and Chandigarh by NH-22. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 39 Kullu Nagar Manali (Left Bank ) SOS proposal The total length of this road is it starts from Ramshilla (Kullu) and ends at Manali. This road is located on the left bank of the river Vyas. On the right bank of the Vyas river is national high way also joining Kullu and Manali. but left bank road is preferred because of having good valley view and National high way is mostly blocked in rainy season. The important places in this route along the roadside are Sew baag, Karadsu, Archhindi, Naggar, Sarsai, Sajla, Jagatsukh, Preeni and Aleo new Manali. These areas are full of apple orchards. Kullu and Manali are very important tourists stations of Himachal Pradesh. At Kullu there is Mata Vaishno Devi Temple. Kullu is also famous for its Dushahra festival. Malana village of Kullu has its own democracy. A famous Buddhist monastry is near to Karadsu. There is Naggar palce, Roerich art gallery at Naggar. The view of valley and apple orchards from Naggar castle is fantastic. At Alleo new Manali there is hydroelectric Louis Berger Group Inc. 42

49 power project named alleo domen very near to the road. At Manali there is a Temple of Mata Hidimba Devi, which is in central list of archeology. Mountaineering institute is there in Manali. There is hot water spring at Vasisht, 1 km away from Manali. Rohtang Pass is 51 km away from Manali. Famous Rahala fall and scenic village Kothi is on the way to Rohtang pass from Manali. the whole route is affected by snow. Corridor Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length No (kms) 40 Ghatasni- Bhubhu -Jot Kullu SOS proposal The entire road is non existent. Therefore no physical field surveys have been undertaken along this alignment. This will also reduce the other wise heavily used Kulu Manali tourist corridor. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 41 Approach to proposed Lathiani bridge SOS proposal This is short cut to otherwise very long Una-Bangana- Barsar section of the Una- Nerchowk section. This section is short and will require a long bridge across Govind Sagar. Govind Sagrar being a wildlife sanctuary with forest area and water reservoir, MOEF clearance would be required for this project. The exact boundaries of the Sanctuary are not available. The project if taken up aesthetically for tourism requirements could be a major tourist attraction for water sports and picnic during summer months. The ground surveys indicated that there was some recent tree felling from the forest areas for clearing the new road ROW. The two alternatives considered have to cross the Govind sager reservoir. Louis Berger Group Inc. 43

50 Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 42 Swarghat -Bilaspur via Jagatkhana (New alignment) SOS proposal Part of this project road is new alignment. This is another link road to the famous Nainadevi pilgrim site of Mata Naina Devi. This will provide easy access to the temple during the festival season. Corridor No Description of road link with principal towns or settlements Length (kms) 43 Dharampur - Kasauli SOS proposal The total length of the road is 10.5 km. The road starts at Dharampur where chainage is zero. The important places along the road are Dharampur, Gordhal and Kasauli. At Dharampur road diverts from NH-22. Dharampur is well connected to Chandigarh, Solan and Shimla by National high way. Starting chain age of the road is zero and ending chain age at Kasauli is 11 km. Kasauli is cantonment area. The pasture institute established here in 1900 is the oldest of its kind in the country. It produces anti-rabies vaccine and also treats the patients bitten by mad dogs. The prestigious central research institute produces vaccines against typhoid, cholera, small pox and snakebite. The Christ Church present near the bus stand is also tourist s attraction. The picturesque point known as monkey point is at height and affords the panoramic view of the plains below and Chandigarh city on one side and beautiful hills on side. Lawrence school, one of the most prestigious public schools of India is located at Sanawar, 5 km away from Kasauli. Kasauli is also important, as there is air force radar station. There is a link road from Kasauli to Kalka and to Barotiwala. Louis Berger Group Inc. 44

51 3.3 PROPOSED ROAD IMPROVEMENTS The existing condition of the project roads, traffic volume in terms of PCU, Sub section based on road characteristics and traffic, ROW details, existing lane configuration etc have been provided in the exhibit 3.1. Less than 10% of the State roads are double-laned, only 50% of the road length has drainage and valley side safety measures. Depending on the present condition of the selected roads, different levels of improvement/ upgradation measures will be required for different road stretches. The improvement works will mainly consist of Construction of viaducts Raising the formation level where ever required Upgrading/ improving road geometrics Widening to two-lane/ intermediate lane from existing intermediate-lane/ single-lane widths Pavement strengthening, and Improving cross drainage Stabilization of the hill slope as far as possible by breast walls, retaining walls and or bio engineering techniques Road stretches crossing urban areas may also require alternative new alignments or realignments, or provision for drains, sidewalks and parking along existing road. Construction of bridges and their approach roads River training works Pedestrian Guard rails and safety barriers Replacement of culverts and construction of new culverts: The replacement / rehabilitating of culverts will accommodate two full lanes for the full formation width. In order to achieve the above improvements there are three typical design cross sections as shown in exhibit 3.2 to 3.6. Louis Berger Group Inc. 45

52 Exhibit 3.2 Exhibit 3.3 Louis Berger Group Inc. 46

53 Exhibit 3.4 Exhibit 3.5 Louis Berger Group Inc. 47

54 Exhibit 3.6 EXHIBIT 3.2 TO 3.6 ABOVE IS THE TYPICAL DESIGN CROSS SECTIONS CONSIDERED IN THE PROJECT. Louis Berger Group Inc. 48

55 CHAPTER 4 : METHODOLOGY 4.1 NEED FOR SCREENING AND SCOPING Environmental Screening actually determines the environmental sensitivity of the project roads (screening). That in turn helps the level of planning in terms of time, budget and effort required to take up the particular project for development (scoping). It is not advisable to use the environmental sensitivity a method or technique for dropping of very important project roads that are actually important for the people of the State. On the other hand it has to be used as a planning tool for systematic implementation of the project components based on priority. In such cases, complicated projects should be allowed to implement in an increased span of time than those that are to be implemented as a high priority for political reasons. In this project, the best way is to take up least environmentally sensitive roads in the phase 1 and the high sensitive roads in the subsequent phases. This will allow sufficient time for proper planning and design of all project elements and also for obtaining all permissions, approvals and clearances in a systematic way. This screening study for Himachal state roads project has considered the following aspects: Preparation of baseline Identification and assessment of impacts Policy, legal and institutional issues for planning and and for getting all approvals and for Implementation of EMP during Design, Construction and Operational phases Identification of environmental sensitive roads List of roads recommended to include for major improvements Scoping and future course of work for Environmental Assessment process 4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS This process requires a thorough understanding of various environmental parameters and its effect on the project planning and implementation. The screening process has under gone the following steps. Preparation for various surveys Reconnaissance site visit Identification of the roads to be screened in the maps Preparation of all back ground data relating to the project roads that are to be screened Preparation of base maps to plot the project roads accurately as far as possible. Identification of the VEC components that are important for the project Devising or Preparation of Formats for recording of these parameters Identification of an environmental screening survey team Training of the survey team to record the data in the survey formats. Actual ground surveys to collect or record the data in the relevant sheets Analysis of the data collected by qualitative and quantitative techniques Prioritisation of the roads based on the Environmental screening analysis Louis Berger Group Inc. 49

56 4.3 STAKE HOLDER CONSULTATION This involves consultation with directly impacted/ affected communities as well as others for example the road users. Stake holder consultation is also a rapid assessment method for collecting data that are usually difficult to obtain by other methods. Therefore identification of a suitable team for consultation was important. The team or the personal should have a thorough understanding of the terrain and the various dialects of the language in the area. Sample questions for conducting consultations have been provided to the team to compensate the lack of adequate experience (Appendix 4.1). Then a proper training has been imparted to the personnel who are actually going to conduct the consultation. The training has been provided indoor as well as at the field along the project corridors. It was necessary to conduct sufficient number of stake holder consultation with the team until they were confident of conducting such meetings on their own for the State of Himachal Pradesh. Main reason for this is that the environmental setting of this State is substantially different from other State roads projects that have been completed or are in the process of implementation. 4.4 THE ADOPTED METHODOLOGY The screening methodology with Chronological order: Reconnaissance survey for getting an idea about the environmental End Dec 05-Jan 06 issues in the region Study all information related to the project that includes Terms of January 2006 reference. Preparation of a Project summary from all available information February and revised (Appendix 4.2) in March 2006 Continuous documentation of the prevailing environmental issues and Jan- September 2006 the various related issues from Press as well as other sources (also required for stake holder workshop to be conducted at a later stage). Collection of secondary data from secondary sources such as published reports, text books and maps,and other similar reports and from web pages Collection of primary data by surveys Jan-Sept 2006 Carry out stake holder community consultation together with surveys do Analysis of environmental screening data Sept-Oct 06 Preparation of a screening matrix October 06 Ranking of project corridors Oct 06 Screening and Scoping Oct 06 Recommendations Oct 06 Preparation of environmental screening matrix however needs to be carefully devised, as many parameters have no screening potential or if there it is of very limited value. For example the seismic characteristics of the region are more or less same for all project roads. Similarly climate, precipitation, temperature etc are also same for most of the project roads. These parameters were however qualitatively analysed and discussed in general to understand the prevailing environmental settings of the project roads in the State. Another reason for the importance of documentation of this part is that those referring/reading to the screening document may not be local people. E.g. a contractor selected by ICB process. At least for some time in the beginning, contractor need to understand the terrain for bidding, and for further planning for consultation and discussions. Louis Berger Group Inc. 50

57 4.4.1 Reconnaissance survey for the preparation of Inception report The preliminary surveys were conducted even before the signing of the contract with the HPRIDC. The team has travelled along eight road sections out of the 43 road corridors of 1675 km length. The survey findings were reported in the inception report. In other words the information collected has been suitably used for planning of the project preparation by the consultants Study of all documents relating to the project from all available sources and the preparation of Project summary as a part of inception report. The project proposal, terms of reference, SOS reports and discussion with the project Director in late December were used for preparing the inception report and an early draft on the project summary. As a matter of fact, all legal, institutional and policy aspects have been studied with respect to the Himachal Pradesh state roads project Collection of secondary data Keeping in line with the new methods, literature surveys had been carried out using internet and quite a lot of useful materials have been down loaded. This included both published and unpublished environmental data. Literature searches were undertaken and relevant agencies e.g. the Department of Forests, the State Pollution Control Board were contacted and appraised of the proposed project. Sources of previously collected data included: Survey of India (SOI) sheets in 1:50,000 scale and few in 1: 250,000 scale Himachal Pradesh Development Report, Planning commission, Government of India. Socio - economic data from the planning Department Geologic data from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology Forestry and wildlife data from Forest and wildlife research institute Dehradun Air, water (surface & groundwater) and noise quality data from the Central Pollution Control Board Flora and fauna from various sources, including the State Forests Department. Survey of India (SOI) maps for the potentially affected districts. Environmental data from State Pollution Control Board HP state Environmental study data from the State Committee on Science Technology and Environment Review of readily available data, combined with the initial reconnaissance investigations, determined the need for primary data collection in some instances. Since the State is sharing border with the China, many survey sheets are not available as per the countries prevailing safety laws Environmental screening surveys and strip map preparation The data collections were carried out using formats (Appendix 4.3). Strip maps (Appendix 4.4 A-3 size) were also prepared by a separate team primarily assigned this task to a complete this task as per the requirements of the HPRIDC within the available frame work. In addition to this, all alignment maps have been marked prepared from SOI maps and provided as Appendix 4.5 in A-3 size Stake holder institutional consultations and Community consultations Community consultations were primarily carried out to collect data/ information that are difficult to document by other means based on the experience of the local peoples for generations Analysis of environmental screening data Louis Berger Group Inc. 51

58 Analysis of environmental screening data has been carried out for qualitative assessment of the baseline environmental parameters. The Survey of India (SOI) map has provided valuable information for the screening analysis especially to determine the various forest categories within 7 km by 7 km corridor on either side of the project corridor Preparation of a screening matrix A qualitative assessment and quantitative assessment of data was carried out to prioritise the project corridors. There were few new alignments without any alignment for which no ground data is available. The environmental screening matrix has been prepared using the VEC components and assigning each parameter a specific weightage. This part has been described in the following section of ranking methodology Ranking of project corridors In the quantitative assessment, using weightage overall scores were calculated for each corridor. Based on this, all 43 project corridors have been prioritised Screening and Scoping Based on the anlysis above, screening and scoping of all the project roads were later carried out Recommendations The final recommendations were framed and provided in the last section. 4.5 IDENTIFICATION OF VALUED ECOSYSTEM COMPONENTS (VEC) The Valued Environmental Components (VEC) are defined as social or bio physical component of an environment which is of value (for any reason) in a project influenced area (PIA). Project influenced area in the case of road project is a zone covering 7 km on both sides from the centre line of the project road. Some of the environmental components do have impacts to as far as 7 kms. This could be water pollution or air pollution that can be carried out to far way distances. In yet some other cases this is even more as in the case of wildlife, debris disposal and for material sources. Based on the various studies of consultants; the following VECs have been identified in this project. Physical environment Disposal of debris /materials resources Slope stability issues Water resources (Surface and Ground water) Soil erosion Air/water /Noise pollution Bio environment /Ecological environment Number of trees within the ROW Wildlife /nesting places/mod holes and other habitats Louis Berger Group Inc. 52

59 Forests (DPF & UPF) Reserved Forests (RFs) National parks and sanctuaries Wetlands Socio economic Environment Drinking water sources Schools/hospitals/college (declared silence zones) Cultural properties such as temples/shrines and other religious and Archaeological monuments and properties Residential properties Commercial properties Tourism locations The stake holder consultations have been used to collect information on the screening criteria s mentioned above. 4.6 EVALUATION OF THE THREE MAJOR IDENTIFIED SCREENING CRITERIA S The three environmental screening criteria s relating to Physical Environment, Bio environment and Socio economic environment have been discussed in the remainder of this section. A detailed analysis and evaluation methodology based on the assigned weightages of the three main environmental screening criteria s have been provided in the following sub sections PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT The project location is in the highly sensitive Himalayan belt with very high seismic characteristics, fragile geological environment with the possibility of slope failures, soil erosion, landslide etc. Ambient noise level is very low even along the urban centres surrounded by thick forest areas and or agricultural areas. Air quality is excellent due to the presence of thick forest coverage in the region except at few locations where in there is a relatively high industrial activity. These locations are Shimla and border areas of the State (e.g. Parwanoo). Even in such areas, the level of pollution is not very high. However the SPM level is high in all areas of isolated human intervention such as construction activity (e.g. Bridge construction site). After the completion of construction and development, the area quickly regains its natural balance with low SPM levels. There are several restrictions for material resources; in the old Himachal region where in mining has been banned almost completely. Except large scale illegal clandestine mining operations (e.g. at Rohru along Prabhar river) no major mining is allowed in majority of areas except the new Himcahal areas like Una and Mandi districts. However the project will require very less quantity of material resources as the widening of the project roads will yield enormous quantity of construction materials. In fact the excess material disposal could be a major issue in any road widening projects in the region. Since these two issues; debris disposal as well as material requirement is related issues in hilly areas like HP, these two issues were seen as one component. Soil erosion is a problem in almost all project roads as these are all located in the hilly areas with steep slopes and deep valleys. Drainage and water logging is a problem along Mehatpur Una Amb road as it is located in the flood plains of River Soan. Louis Berger Group Inc. 53

60 Due to the heavy use of pesticides, water quality is an important problem in all Orchard areas and major farming areas. In other areas the running water usually take along high volumes of suspended materials during the monsoons season as well as during snow melt period. Many roads pass through the sides of the rivers for very long distances and many are crossing rivers, streams, canals and ponds. Many of these water resources are important to the people for cultivation and for meeting other domestic needs. These were considered in the screening process BIO ENVIRONMENT This part of the Himalayas has been classified as highly sensitive with regards to the threatened flora and fauna found in the region. According to IUCN red data book, there are numerous endangered, critically endangered and endangered floral and faunal species in this part of the Himalayan region. There are several medicinal plants facing extinction because of over exploitation. Most of the land area in the Himachal Pradesh is under forest department. Only a small percentage of the total land belongs to the revenue department. With population density very low, there are numerous areas under private forest with forestry related legal hurdles. The private forests are also rich in flora ad fauna accommodating even threatened flora and faunal species. The forest areas, sanctuary areas and the population are concentrated in the same area, there is a traffic /wildlife conflict with the prevailing monkey menace and the leopard menace; the visible part of the conflict. Even in the Project roads like Mehatpur-Una-Amb where there are no forests in the immediate vicinity, the environmental surveys have recorded a number of nesting places of birds and in some locations there are mud holes with 100s of Brammini minas nesting in them. Wildlife presence has been reported every where in the State. Therefore this is the most important parameter in the screening process. In a number of cases, there are numerous planted trees along the sides of the project roads. Otherwise the road passes through dense forest areas. Two related issues in the screening process are; SOS maps are not available to find the extend of PF and RF along the project routes No maps are available for the sanctuaries and National parks showing the boundaries. Even for project roads like Una Nerchouk and Mehatpur Una-Amb the proximity to the Govind sagar wildlife sanctaury was not clearly known. It is only by consulting with forest officials the EA team could fix the scope of the project road SOCIO ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT With just six million people in the State; the density of population in the region is very low. Nevertheless the seasonal tourist population from the neighbouring regions are harming the environment more than the local population pressure. Therefore tourism planning is very important in infrastructure projects like roads. Impact to drinking water sources is an important concern in the project. Almost all drinking water sources would be affected /impacted. This includes a number of perennial and non perennial springs, wells, hand pumps etc. With very little groundwater reserves, rehabilitation of the drinking water sources would be difficult if not impossible. Louis Berger Group Inc. 54

61 With little population around; the schools and colleges are very few and often very small. Some of these are located close to the project roads. From the safety, access and noise pollution point of view these are important. In many locations construction of noise barriers would be required. 4.7 RANKING METHODOLOGY & JUSTIFICATION It is necessary to devise a method by which we can assign a certain weightage for each of the identified screening criteria s. Based on the importance of the biodiversity issues within the region, the biodiversity issues have been given the highest weightage and in that process this is the single attribute for the determination of the environmental sensitivity of the project roads. Preliminary studies, stake holder institutional consultations, and community consultations have revealed considerable wildlife presence along the project roads. Nevertheless in terms of the approvals and clearances some of the project roads that are located in the Protected forests category are free but need practical implementable environmental management plan (EMP) and EXHIBIT 4.1 : WEIGHT AGE ASSISIGNED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS Sl Environmental screening parameters Weight age assigned No 1 Physical environment Slope stability issues 2. Materials resources 3. Water resources 4. Soil erosion 5. Pollution ( air/water/noise) 2 Bio environment /Ecological environment 1. Number of trees within the ROW 2. Wildlife /nesting places/mod holes and other habitats 3. Forests (DPF & UPF) 4. Reserved Forests (RFs) 5. National parks and sanctuaries 6. Wetlands 3 Socio economic Environment 1. Drinking water sources 2. Schools/hospitals/college 3. Cultural properties such as Temples/shrines and other religious And archaeological monuments and properties 4. Residential properties Effective construction supervision to avoid and to mitigate the adverse impacts due to the implementation and operation of the project. Bio Environment /Ecologcal environment therefore have been given a decisive weight age of 60 due to its importance in the whole of Himachal Pardesh. The remaining weight ages have been equally distributed between Physical and environment and socio economic environment. Details are provided in the exhibit 4.2. The basis of awarding of score out of total score that has been indicated in the previous exhibit is provided in the following three exhibits. Louis Berger Group Inc. 55

62 Sl No Environmental Component EXHIBIT 4.2 : PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Total Score Basis Of Marks Allotment Allotted 1 Slope stability issues 3 0-1km= km= km= km= km-2.5 >6=3.0 * Method used : Average Distance in which one Slope Stability structure comes (Total distance/total no. of structures) 2 Debris disposal and Materials resources as applicable 6 Average Distance in which one waste disposal site comes (Total distance/total no. of waste disposal sites) 0-5km length for the disposal of debris and excess material=2 5-10km= km=6 * Method used : Average Distance in which one waste disposal site comes (Total distance/total no. of waste disposal sites) Water resources 5 Average no. of water bodies /Km(Total no of water bodies/total distance) a) No of water bodies <0.1km=0.5 b) =1.0 c) =1.5 d) =2.0 e) =2.5 f) >2=3.0 * Method used : Average no. of water bodies /Km(Total no of water bodies/total distance) 3 Soil erosion 3 Average Length of soil erosion per km=total no. of soil erosion areas/total Km a) Length of soil erosion per km 0.05km=-1.0 b) =2.0 c) >0.10=3.0 * Method used : Average Length of soil erosion per km=total no. of soil erosion areas/total Km 4 Environmental pollution Air-water/Noise 3 a. No of habitations -0-5= =2.00 >5= 3.00 Louis Berger Group Inc. 56

63 Sl No Environmental Component EXHIBIT 4.3 : BIO ENVIRONMENT Total Score Basis Of Marks Allotment Allotted 1 Number of trees within the ROW 5 a) Per km No of trees <50 = 2 b) 50-75=3 c) =4 d) >100=5 * Method used : Total No. of Trees in the corridor/total Corridor distance 2 Wildlife /nesting places/mod holes and other faunal habitats 10 Percentage Length of the total forest along project route a. 100 % along Forest area =10 b % along forest area-8 c. <50 % forest coverage= 2 * Method used : Added the Percentage length of Total forest (RF and PF) 3 Forests ( DPF & UPF) 10 Percentage Length of the PF along project route a) %=10 b) %=8 c) %=6 d) %=4 e) >15 % =2 * Method used : Total length of Protected Forest/Total Corridor distance multiplied by Reserved Forests (RFs) 15 Percentage Length of the RF along project route a) %=15 b) %=10 c) %=8 d) %=6 e) >15 % =4 * Method used : Total length of Reserved Forest/Total Corridor distance multiplied by National parks (NP) and sanctuaries (WS) 15 a. Length of NP/WS <5km project route=10 b. 5-10km=11 c km=12 d km=13 e km=14 f. >30km=15 * Method used : A buffer of 7 Km for the road corridor and a circular buffer of sanctuary based on area of sanctuary is made and the horizontal overlapping distance is taken as the length 6 Wetlands 5 a. Km rout length of wetlands if 1 =2 b. 2=4 c. >2=5 * Method used : A circular buffer of 7 Km for the road corridor and a circular buffer of wetland based on area of wetland is made and the horizontal overlapping distance is taken as the length Louis Berger Group Inc. 57

64 EXHIBIT 4.4 : SOCIO ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Sl Environmental Component Total Basis Of Marks Allotment No Score Allotted 1 Drinking water sources 5 Total No of drinking water sources a. <10=2 b =3 c =4 d. >75=5 * Method used : Total No of drinking water sources along the corridor 2 Schools/hospitals/college 5 Total No of schools/hospitals/colleg e a. <10=2 b =3 c =4 d. >75=5 * Method used : Total No of sensitive areas along the corridor 3 Cultural properties (Temples/shrines and other religious And archaeological monuments and properties) 5 Total No of cultural properties a. No of cultural properties<10=2 b =3 c =4 d. >75=5 * Method used : Total No of cultural properties along the corridor 4 Residential & Commercial properties 5 Total No of Residential & Commercial Properties * Method used : Total No of residential and commercial properties along the corridor 20 a. No of settlements per km <5=1 b per km=2 c =3 d. >15=5 Louis Berger Group Inc. 58

65 CHAPTER 5 BASE LINE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The base line environmental parameters during environmental screening are two types; data and parameters which have a screening potential and data and parameters which have no or little screening potential. Those with screening potential have been used as prime criteria for prioritisation of all 1675 kms of project roads by the formulation of a qualitative and quantitative impact matrix as provided in Chapter 6. Nevertheless environmental screening exercise would not be complete until all parameters including the little or no screening potential data are also properly examined and analysed to establish that it has no potential for screening. Various environmental data collected during the environmental screening studies have been processed. These data has been analysed and included in the respective sections. For example, drinking water facilities are dealt with in the water resources section of screening analysis. 5.1 CORRIDOR WISE ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING ANALYSIS All ecosystem components have been systematically analysed in this report. A complete analysis for screening involves all environmental parameters in a broad frame work. Reliable GOHP published thematic maps and thematic maps from UNDP Website have been used to establish all available baseline environmental parameters GEOMORPHOLOGIC, PHYSIOGRAPHIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS Himachal pradesh is located in the Himalayan belt near to J&K, Uttaranchal and Tibet. The Himalayan Mountains are one of the most sensitive areas of the earth s surface, but they may appear to be strong and formidable, environmentally they are weak and fragile and the man environment relationship is precariously balanced. The declining biota, soil erosion and landslides due to depletion of forest cover, have turned the Himalayas in to an environmental hazardous zone and the entire hydrological cycle appears to have been disturbed (Status of environmental report, March 2000). The geomorphology, 4 lithology and structure of Himachal Pradesh resemble that of the adjoining areas of J&K, Uttaranachal, Haryana, Punjab and Tibet. Geomorphologically HP is comprised mainly of the alluvial plains, the Shiwalik hills, the lower and middle hills, the higher Himalayan hills and the trans- Himalayan tracts. Topographically the altitudinal variation range from 350m to as high as 6975 m altitude sub Himalayan zone Alluvial plains Shiwalik hills, Lower and middle Himalayas Higher Himalayas Trans Himalayas The complex geological structure of Himachal Pradesh has given rise to complicated topographic features which comprises an intricate mosaic of mountain ranges, hills and valleys. 4 State of the environmental report (March 2000) prepared by the State council for Science Technology and Environment Louis Berger Group Inc. 59

66 Physiographic and topographic condition of the Project roads in relation to the most important mountain ranges is provided in the exhibit 5.1 and 5.2 combined ALLUVIAL PLAINS These are gently sloping, having been formed by deposits of the rivers flowing in to the Ganga plains. The average elevation of this southern fringe tract is 500m SHIWALIK HILLS Shiwalik hills occur in a wider zone in the southern and western part of the State, extending from the Yamuna river to the Chakki river. These low to medium hills are with a maximum elevation of 1500m. Longitudinal valleys know as dune valleys, have formed between the Shiwalik hills. These hills have been cut across by a number of rivers originating further up stream E.g. the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Landslides, land slips, mudflows and flash floods affect this geomorphic zone in the rainy season. The unstable slopes have resulted due to the largely unconsolidated nature of sediments in many sections LOWER AND MIDDLE HIMALAYAS This comprise of a wide zone of high mountains extending from the Shiwalik ranges in the south to the higher Himalayan ranges in the North. These are made up of two mountain ranges Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges (Exhibit 5.1) which traverses through the central part of the State and merge with the main Himalayan mountain wall. The Narkanda ridge forms the water divide between the Arabian sea and the Bay of Bengal HIGHER HIMALAYAS This lies in the N and NE part of the HP and includes a number of offshoot ridges. Peaks of the mountain ranges like Pirpanjal and Dhauladhar are covered under a permanent blanket of snow. The slopes are very steep and their upper reaches hold many glaciers, which feed snow melt waters to important Himalayan Rivers like Ravi, Beas, Parvati, Baspa, Sutlej and the Tons. These main rivers and their tributaries have formed steep gorges, terrace and steep valleys in the higher Himalayan regions of HP TRANS HIMALAYA Across the main or great Himalayan mountain range, lies the trans-himalayan or cold desert tract, a high altitude rain shadow region that remains unaffected by the monsoon rains which cause heavy and widespread rains in most other parts of HP. This includes Spitty valley and Pooh area of Kinnaur district. The complex geological structure of Himachal Pradesh has given rise to complicated topographic features which comprises an intricate mosaic of mountain ranges, hills and valleys. Physiographic and topographic condition of the 43 Project roads with a total length of 1675 kms is provided in the exhibit 5.1. The exhibit 5.2 provides the details of the relief characteristics of these 43 project roads. Louis Berger Group Inc. 60

67 EXHIBIT 5.1 : PHYSIOGRAPHIC AND TOPOGRAPHIC CONDITION OF THE ROADS IN RELATION TO MOUNTAIN RANGES Exhibit 5.3 provides the corridor wise analysis of the geomorphic and relief characteristics of the project corridors. Excluding the project corridors in the outer areas of the State adjoining the neighbouring State the relief is substantially lower than the interior areas. Louis Berger Group Inc. 61

68 EXHIBIT 5.2 : RELIEF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 40 PROJECT ROADS Cooridor No EXHIBIT 5.3 : GEOMORPHIC AND RELIEF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY CORRIDORS Location/District Physiographic and topographic conditions of the project roads Relief Characteristics (Height in meters above mean sea level) 1 Una plane Una,Hamirpur And Mandy plane and rolling Shimla rolling Solan plane Bilaspur rolling Solan And Shimla rolling Mandi, Hamirpur And Bilaspur rolling Sirmour plane and hilly Louis Berger Group Inc. 62

69 Cooridor No Location/District Physiographic and topographic conditions of the project roads Relief Characteristics (Height in meters above mean sea level) 9 Hamirpur, Kangra rolling Bilaspur plane and rolling Kangra plane Kangra plane Kangra plane Kangra plane Bilaspur Rolling Una And Kangra plane and rolling Solan plane Sirmour plane and rolling Sirmour plane Solan plane Solan plane Shimla, Mandi rolling Mandi rolling Hamirpur, Bilaspur plane Kangra plane and rolling Shimla hilly Shimla hilly Shimla, Solan hilly Mandi, Kullu hilly Shimla hilly Kangra, plane Kangra, Chamba rolling Kangra, Chamba rolling Chamba hilly Kullu, Mandi,Shimla hilly Shimla, Solan rolling Kullu rolling Kullu rolling Una Rolling Bilaspur Rolling Solan rolling METEOROLOGY AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS Himachal Pradesh has three well defined seasons i.e., summer, the monsoon and the winter. Spring acts as a transition period between winter and summer with autumn as an intermediary between the monsoons and the winter. The average annual rainfall is 1111mm varying from less than 500mm in Lahaul and Spiti and 3400 mm and above in Kangra (Dharamshala). The exhibit 5.4 shows the rainfall pattern in the 1675 km of project roads spread over the 11 districts of the State. The wind and cyclone Characteristics of the feasibility corridors are provided in exhibit 5.5. Exhibit 5.6 is the Corridor wise anlysis of the rainfall characteristics. Louis Berger Group Inc. 63

70 EXHIBIT 5.4 : PRECIPITATION IN RELATION TO THE LOCATION OF THE 1675KMS OF PROJECT ROADS Louis Berger Group Inc. 64

71 EXHIBITS 5.5 : SHOWS THE WIND CHARACTERISTISC ALONG THE FEASIBILITY STUDY CORRIDORS Louis Berger Group Inc. 65

72 EXHIBIT 5. 6 : CORRIDOR WISE RAINFALL AND GENERAL WIND CHARACTERISTSIC IN THE REGION. Road number Location/ District Rainfall (mm) Wind Relief Characteristic 1 Una wind moderate damage risk zone 2 Una,Hamirpur And Do Mandi 3 Kangra Solan mm Do 5 Bilaspur do 6 Solan And Shimla mm Do 7 Mandi, Hamirpur do Do And Bilaspur 8 do wind high damage risk zone and Sirmour wind moderate damage risk zone 9 Hamirpur, Kangra mm wind moderate damage risk zone 10 Kangra 11 Kangra 12 Bilaspur mm Do 13 Kangra do Do 14 Kangra do Do 15 Kangra mm Do 16 Kangra mm Do 17 Bilaspur 18 Una And Kangra mm Do 19 Solan do Do 20 Sirmour do Do 21 Sirmour do wind high damage risk zone 22 Solan do wind moderate damage risk zone 23 Solan do Do 24 Shimla, Mandi do Do 25 Mandi do Do 26 Hamirpur, Bilaspur do Do 27 Kangra do Do 28 Shimla mm Do 29 Shimla mm Do 30 Shimla, Solan do Do 31 Mandi, Kullu mm Do 32 Shimla mm Do 33 Kangra, mm Do 34 Kangra, Chamba mm Do 35 Kangra, Chamba mm Do 36 Chamba mm Do 37 Kullu, Mandi, do Do Shimla 38 Shimla, Solan do Do 39 Kullu do Do 40 Kullu & Mandi 41 Bilaspur 42 Bilaspur 43 Solan do Do Louis Berger Group Inc. 66

73 5.1.8 GEOLOGIC, GEOMORPHOLOGIC AND SEISMIC CHARACTERISTICS In this part of the country, any environmental screening studies without a reference to the orogenic aspects of the Himalayan Geology will be incomplete because of its very high significance for the infrastructure projects and its unique nature. It provides a strong feel of the ground realities of the amazing geological uniqueness for any infrastructure development to take place on this back ground. It has been estimated that Himalayas are only 40 Million years old. Himalayan rocks have been affected by both tectonic and volcanic activities. The Himalayan orogeny is believed to have occurred in several stages of uplift leading to development of the worlds most complex mountain systems. The first phase started towards the close of Eocene 5 Era and is believed to have continued till about mid Oligocene times. This led to the development of the main axis and also resulted in the disappearance of the Tethyan sea; though there developed a basin or trough in the south, in which sediments continued to be deposited. The second phase of orogeny started from mid Miocene to late Pliocene causing further upliftf the main axis and development of the middle and lower Himalayas. The sediments that have been deposited in the southern trough began to form the Siwalik ranges. The last phase of the Himalayan orogeny happened in the close of the Pleistocene period leading to the development of the Himalayas in the present form. A trough formed to the south of the still rising Shiwalik hills which was filled by sediments to form the Indo Gangetic plains. The Himalayas are rising even today and therefore every thing we do for the road improvement project in HP has a bearing on this aspect. The Shiwaliks are separated from the central by the great boundary faults and thrusts that run north to south. 5 Refers to geologic time scale Louis Berger Group Inc. 67

74 EXHIBIT 5.7 THE PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO THE GEOLOGY OF THE REGION The exhibit 5.7 is the Geologic map of the project road in relation to the project corridors. Exhibit 5.8 provides Corridor wise analysis of the geologic characteristics of the study corridors. Louis Berger Group Inc. 68

75 Louis Berger Group Inc. 69

76 EXHIBIT 5.8 : GEOLOGIC AND SEISMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STUDY CORRIDORS Road number Location/ District Geologic Characteristics Seismic characteristics 1 Una Shiwalik earthquake very high damage zone 2 Una, Hamirpur And Shiwalik do Mandi 3 Kangra Shiwalik And Murrec Series 4 Solan Shiwalik earthquake high damage risk zone 5 Bilaspur Shiwalik 6 Solan And Shimla Mandhati-Chandpur Groups do 7 Mandi, Hamirpur And Bilaspur Murrec Series earthquake very high damage risk zone 8 Shiwalik, Mandhati- earthquake high damage Chandpur Groups, Shali- risk zone Deoban And Largi Groups Sirmour 9 Hamirpur, Kangra Shiwalik 10 Kangra Murree Series And Jutogh Group 11 Kangar Murrec Series Bilaspur Shiwalik earthquake very high damage zone earthquake high damage risk zone earthquake very high damage risk zone Kangra Shiwalik 14 Kangra Shiwalik do 15 Kangra Shiwalik do 16 Kangra Shiwalik do 17 Bilaspur Murrec Series 18 Una And Kangra Alluvium And Shiwalik do 19 earthquake high damage risk zone Solan Shimla Group And Shiwalik 20 Sirmour Murrec Series do 21 Sirmour Murrec Series do 22 Solan Shiwalik do 23 Solan Shiwalik do 24 Granites, Jutogh Group And Shali Deoban And Largi Groups Shimla, Mandi 25 earthquake very high Mandi Jutogh Group damage risk zone 26 Hamirpur, Bilaspur Shiwalik do 27 Kangra Shiwalik do 28 earthquake high damage Shimla Jutogh Group risk zone 29 Shimla Jutogh Group do 30 Shimla, Solan Shimla Group do 31 Jutogh Group Andmandhati earthquake very high Mandi, Kullu Chandpur Group damage risk zone 32 earthquake high damage Shimla Jutogh Group risk zone 33 earthquake very high Kangra, Shiwalik And Murrec Series damage risk zone 34 Kangra, Chamba Shiwalik And Granite do 35 earthquake very high Kangra, Chamba Shiwalik And Granite damage risk zone do Louis Berger Group Inc. 70

77 Road number Location/ District Geologic Characteristics Seismic characteristics 36 Chamba Granite do 37 Nagthat Group, Muth do Kullu, Mandi, Shimla Quartzite Manikaran Quartzite And Mandhati Chandpur Group 38 earthquake high damage Shimla, Solan Jutogh Group, Shimla Group risk zone 39 earthquake very high Kullu Jutogh And Granites damage risk zone 40 Kullu& Mandi Jutogh 41 Bilaspur Shiwalik 42 Bilaspur Murrec Series 43 earthquake high damage Solan Shimla Group risk zone (a) Seismic Characteristics India has most tectonically active as well as most stable landmasses. India is divided into 5 zones according to the probability of the earthquake occurrence. Zone 1 is the least active and zone 5 is the most active zone. The Himalayas are seismically active and most of it lies in the zone 4 and 5. The peninsular block lies in zone 1 and 2. Most of the country lies in zone 3. Delhi is in zone 4, and is in high seismic zone. State falls under High seismic zone of IV. The parts coming under the Mandi-Kangra are on the highest category of Zone V. The exhibit 5.9 shows the seismic characteristics of the Himachal Pradesh. The corridor wise seismic analysis is provided in the exhibit 5.8. Louis Berger Group Inc. 71

78 EXHIBIT 5.9 : SEISMIC SETTING OF THE 1675 KMS FEASIBILITY CORRIDORS (b) Slope failures- Land slides, landslips etc Occurrence of landslides in this mountain region has increased in frequency in recent years, mainly due to the disturbance to the fragile slopes. Today many parts of this mountain system have been scarred by ugly looking repulsive scars caused by land slides which cause loss of millions of rupees each year in terms of man and vehicle hours, loss of property, goods delayed and damaged and rest of debris removed and maintenance of the infrastructure including roads 6. The major land slides reported are Nainadevi, Telangi, Kahatra dhang and maling land slides. Exhibit 5.10 shows the project roads in relation to the multi hazard zones in Himachal pradesh. 6 Land, water and Environmental management Louis Berger Group Inc. 72

79 (c) Soil Erosion EXHIBIT 5.10 : PROJECT ROAD IN RELATION TO MULTI HAZARDOUS ZONES IN HP The agencies causing erosion in the Himalayas are water, wind, gravity and ice or glaciers. Soil erosion is one of the major environmental problems affecting the Himalayan region, with millions of tones of soil being either washed or blown away. Gravity is also a reason for the soil erosion. This has resulted in the formation of gullies, waste lands, landslides, and led to deposition of soil in farms, forest lands, thus causing damage to human life and property 7. An overlay of the project corridors and the soil map is provided in the exhibit and the corridor wise analysis has been provided in the exhibit EXHIBIT 5.11 : DELETED 7 Land water and Environmental management Louis Berger Group Inc. 73

80 EXHIBIT 5.12 : PROJECT ROAD IN RELATION TO SOIL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATE Louis Berger Group Inc. 74

81 EXHIBIT 5.13 : EROSION AND NATURAL CALAMITIES ROAD NUMBER LOCATION/ DISTRICT EROSION LANDSLIDE /LAND SLIPS FLOODING ETC 1 Una not prone to erosion No area 2 Una, Hamirpur And very little 1 area 1 location Mandi 3 4 Solan not prone to erosion No area 5 6 Solan And Shimla very prone to erosion 31 areas 7 Mandi, Hamirpur 29 areas 8 And Bilaspur prone to erosion 13 areas, many mines along the road Sirmour prone to erosion 9 Hamirpur, Kangra not prone to erosion No area 1 location Bilaspur prone to erosion 14 areas 13 Kangra not prone to erosion No area 14 Kangra very little 2 areas 15, 16 Kangra very little 6 areas not prone to erosion No area 5 dry rivers (no bridge) Una And Kangra 19 Solan prone to erosion 27 areas 20 very little 3 areas 1 (river without Sirmour bridge) 21 Sirmour not prone to erosion No area 22 Solan not prone to erosion No area 23 Solan not prone to erosion No area 24 Shimla, Mandi not prone to erosion No area 25 Mandi not prone to erosion No area 26 Hamirpur, Bilaspur very little 2 areas 27 Kangra not prone to erosion No area 28 Shimla very prone to erosion 33 areas 1 location 29 Shimla prone to erosion 12 areas 1 location 30 Shimla, Solan not prone to erosion No area 31 Mandi, Kullu very prone to erosion 34 areas 32 Shimla very little 3 areas 33 Kangra, very little 3 areas 34 Kangra, Chamba prone to erosion 25 areas 35 Kangra, Chamba prone to erosion 23 areas 36 Chamba not prone to erosion No area 37 Kullu, Mandi, Shimla very prone to erosion 38 Shimla, Solan very prone to erosion 51 areas 39 Kullu very little 10 areas Solan very little 3 areas 31 areas Cloud burst prone area, 5 point Louis Berger Group Inc. 75

82 5.1.9 WATER RESOURCES (BOTH SURFACE & GROUNDWATER) The state is drained by nine major river systems and thus has nine major catchments areas PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO SURFACE WATER (RIVERS, STREAMS) RESOURCES The proximity of the river systems to the project roads (exhibit 5.14) is very important due to the erosion issues. The over lay of the project roads and the drainage map is provided in exhibit 5.15.The construction activities may open /trigger large scale erosion surfaces. EXHIBIT 5.14 : PROXIMITY TO WATER RESOURCES Road No River Basin Major Rivers Streams /Nalas etc Snow fall area 1 Sutlej 22 2 ponds None 2 sutlej,beas 32 2 ponds None 3 Beas None 4 Sutlej None 5 Sutlej None 6 Jamuna, Markanda None 7 Sutlej 17 None 8 5 streams, purad, 1 None Jamuna Giri, Neda Gangtoli pond 9 Beas 3 rivers, beas 5 streams, nagni None 10 Beas None 11 Beas None 12 Sutlej 2 lake None 13 Beas 4 stream. 2 ponds None 14 Beas 3 ponds None 15 Beas 21 stream, totak, None 7 river, banj nala, khakhod nala, guj, 16 Beas None 17 Beas None 18 Beas 4 ponds None 19 sutlej 17 stream None 20 6 river, Markanda, None Markanda Kheri 21 Markanda 1 river 1 stream, 1 pond None 22 Sutlej 3 stream None 23 Sutlej 4 stream, 1 pond None 24 Sutlej Dhalli, Mashobra,Naldehra 25 Beas 1 river 6 stream None 26 Sutlej 1 stream None stream, amlehar, None Beas 2 river, Haripur 6 ponds 28 Sutlej 40 river, Giri, Pabbar Most Of The Route 29 Jamuna Most Of The Route 30 Jamuna 6 stream Kufri And Chail 31 Beas 16 springs, rala, 3 rivers, uhl raksh, shegli, kataula,chhad, batheri, dulchi Bajaur And Adjoining Areas 32 Beas 2 rivers, giri 1 spring 80% Of The Route 33 Beas 6 rivers, haroti, maand 3 springs None Louis Berger Group Inc. 76

83 Road No River Basin Major Rivers Streams /Nalas etc Snow fall area 34 Beas, Ravi 5 rivers, chakki, 9 springs, sanjha None jabbar, shabadra nala, huwardi, 35 Beas 11 rivers, sarali, 5 streams, sirli, None chanhal, thulel,dadman suked, khola, surki nala, 36 Ravi Most Of The Route 37 Sutlej, bees 27 streams, tirthan, 25 rivers, Beas, Sutlej flela nala, jalori khad, shamshar, sainj nala Jalori, Aani, Etc 38 Jamuna 19 rivers, giri 8 streams 39 8 streams, lran kelo Beas 5 rivers, beas nala, kanoli nala, Most Of The Route 40 Beas None 41 Sutlej None 42 sutlej None 43 Sutlej, jamuna None EXHIBIT 5.15 RIVER SYSTEMS IN RELATION TO THE FORTY FEASIBILITY CORRIDORS Louis Berger Group Inc. 77

84 PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO GROUNDWATER RESOURCES In the entire State not too many major ground water potential are located. The various studies carried out by USAID have indicated few potential locations. These are called intermountain valleys. This has been provided in relation to project corridors as provided in the exhibit As provided in the map only few corridors are close to these groundwater potential zones. EXHIBIT 5.16; PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO GROUNDWATER RESOURCES FORESTS AND FOREST RESOURCES This is the most important parameter in the environmental screening process because of the biodiversity related issues. More over if impacted it requires many months /years of legal process to Louis Berger Group Inc. 78

85 obtain clearance for environmental and forestry clearances if the Forest in various importance (RF, Sanctuary, National parks etc) are impacted. EXHIBIT 5.17 PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO FOREST COVER MAP OF HP According to many stake holders consulted during the screening process, in Himachal Pradesh most of the Government land reserves are Forest areas of different types. There are four types of forest reserves. These are Reserved Forests (RF) Protected Forests PF Unclassified Forest Others (like cantonment and municipal forests) Protected Forests are of two types Un demarcated protected forests (UPF) - term unclassified is being used in other states Demarcated protected forests (DPF) - the term protected forest is being used in many others states Louis Berger Group Inc. 79

86 This classification is based on the settlement of legal issues. The reserved forests are those forests where all settlement of rights has been completed. The Reserve Forests are always notified and every thing is prohibited in these forests except what is listed in the notification. In the case of Protected Forests it has been divided into two types, viz, DPF and UPF. In the case of Protected Forests all activities listed are allowed except what is not listed. EXHIBIT 5.18 : PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO FOREST COVER SATELLITE IMAGERY MAP OF HP There are no good map available showing the actual location and boundaries of sanctuaries in HP. Therefore all the findings on the proximity to sanctuaries for DPR roads could be subjected to changes. The exhibit 5.18 provides the project roads in relation to the project roads. Moreover the State Forest department has identified the Wild life human interface with a list of 30 recorded incidents across the State. Louis Berger Group Inc. 80

87 WILD LIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS The proximity to the ecological sensitive areas like Reserved Forests, wild life sanctuaries and National parks are the most important criteria for screening of roads in Himachal Pradesh. The exhibit 5.19 shows the proximity of the various corridors to the various wildlife sanctuaries and National parks in Himachal Pradesh. There are 32 declared wildlife sanctuaries and two National parks (Appendix 5.1) in the State of Himachal Pradesh. Out of the twelve districts both Una and Hamirpur does not have a wildlife sanctuary. None of the project roads are within the vicinity of the two National parks of the State. ROAD NUMBER EXHIBIT 5.19 : PROXIMITY TO NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES NATIONAL PARKS SANCTUARIES RESERVED FORESTS OTHER FORESTS 1 Nil Nil 2 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 5 Nil Naina Devi And Govind Sagar Sanctuary(11.20 Km Within 7 Km Range) 6 Nil Nil 59 km 7 Nil Nil 24 km 8 Nil Nil km 9 Nil Nil 10 Nil Nil 11 Nil Nil 12 Nil Naina Devi And Govind Sagar Sanctuary11.80 Km Within 7 Km Range) Nil Nil 0.48 km 14 Nil Nil Nil Pong Dam Sanctuary(20.55 Km Within 7 Km Range) Nil Nil 17 Nil Nil 18 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil 1.50 km 21 Nil Nil 6 km 22 Nil Nil 23 Nil Nil 24 Nil Nil Nil Shikari Devi Sanctuary(3 Km Road Within 7 Km Range) Nil 6 km 27 Nil Pong Dam Sanctuary, Maharanapratap Sanctuary(18.82 Km Of Road Within 7 Km Range In Pong Dam Sanctuary) 44 km 28 Nil Nil 42 km 29 Nil Nil 30 Nil Chail Wildlife Sanctuary(11.82 Km Within 7 Km Range ) Nil Nil Nil Nil 3 km Nil Nil 18 km 34 Nil Nil 25.5 km Louis Berger Group Inc. 81

88 ROAD NUMBER NATIONAL PARKS SANCTUARIES RESERVED FORESTS OTHER FORESTS 35 Nil Nil 28.5 km 36 Nil Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary, 6 km 37 Nil Nil 38 Nil Shilli Sanctuary 6.72 km 39 Nil Manali Sanctuary, (6.18 Km Within 7 Km Range) Kais Sanctuary(4.3 Km Within 7 Km Range) Nil Nil 41 Nil Nil 42 Nil Nil 43 Nil Nil 1.53 km EXHIBIT 5.20 : PROJECT ROADS IN RELATION TO SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS IN HP Louis Berger Group Inc. 82

89 WET LANDS (LAKES, RESERVOIRS, MARSHY LANDS, PONDS ETC) The proximity of the project corridors to wetlands has been analysed and provided in the exhibit Appendix 5.5 is the wet lands in the State. Sl No. Districts EXHIBIT 5.21 : PROXIMITY TO WETLANDS Road length Nearest Wetlands (km) Distance from the road to wet land at the nearest location 1 Una 32.2 None Within 7 kms 2 Una,Hamirpur and mandi Rewalser lake, Govindsagar lake Within 7 kms None 4 solan None None 6 solan and shimla 78 None 7 mandi, hamirpur and None bilaspur 8 sirmour None 9 hamirpur, kangra None 10 None 11 4 None 12 Bilaspur 37 Govindsagar lake Within 7 kms 13 kangra 11.2 Pong Dam Within 7 kms 14 kangra 52 Pong Dam Within 7 kms 15 kangra 20.5 Pong Dam Within 7 kms 16 kangra None None 18 una and kangra Pong Dam Within 7 kms 19 solan 80.4 None 20 sirmour None 21 sirmour 6.37 None 22 solan 4.66 None 23 solan 9 None 24 shimla, mandi 46 None 25 mandi None 26 hamirpur, bilaspur 11.3 Govind sagar lake Within 7 kms 27 kangra Pong Dam Within 7 kms 28 shimla None 29 shimla 27 None 30 shimla, solan 57 None 31 mandi, kullu 51 None 32 shimla 47 None 33 kangra, None 34 kangra, chamba None 35 kangra, chamba 53.4 None 36 chamba None 37 kullu, mandi,shimla 72 None 38 shimla, solan None 39 kullu Beas river (raison and katrain) Within 7 kms None 41 4 None None 43 solan 10.5 None BIODIVERSITY CONCERNS The physical field surveys coupled with institutional consultations and local community consultations revealed several important biodiversity concerns along the project road. Most important consultations are with that of MOEF (Himalayan Research institute located at Shimla), DFOs and forest range officers. Louis Berger Group Inc. 83

90 Secondary information from reports (e.g. Status of environment in HP March 2000) is also available to understand the issue. To resolve this conflict, it will be required to carry out a study with the help of a wildlife/forestry expert in order to streamline what the highways project can contribute to the wildlife traffic conflict along the project roads. Such an attempt is expected to bring in some earmarked budgetary provisions for wildlife conservation. The consultant s team during various engineering, environmental and social surveys has spotted considerable faunal presence along the project roads. Some of these are provided in the exhibit EXHIBIT 5.22 : RECORDED WILDLIFE ON THE ROADS BY CONSULTANT ANTS STAFF FAUNA FAUNA Leopard Monkeys Mongoose Flying Squirrel Indian shag Snake Owl Jackal Peacock Jungli Murga Pheasants Middle egrets Langur Lizard Vulture Rabbit Spotted deer SOCIO ECONOMIC CRITERIA S In this section, land use characteristics, schools, hospitals, pollution (air, water and noise characteristics) etc have been described. Louis Berger Group Inc. 84

91 LAND USE CHARACTERISTICS ALONG THE PROJECT CORRIDORS EXHIBIT 5.23 SHOWS THE PROJECT CORRIDORS IN RELATION TO THE LAND USE LAND COVER CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REGION SOCIAL DIMENSION OF THE BIO DIVERSITY CONCERNS The social dimension of the biodiversity concerns are of primarily medicinal in nature. This is evident from the following reference from the WWF-India publication supported by National Medicinal plants Board. The mountainous State of HP with an altitude range varying from 300 m to over 7000m above mean sea level (subtropical, temperate, subalpine zone) is endowed with rich floral diversity. Out of a total of 3500 plant species reported, more than 800 species are used for medicinal purpose across the State. Reduction and fragmentation of habitat and wrong practices of harvesting has put some of the Louis Berger Group Inc. 85

92 important medicinal plants to the risk of extinction. 60 medicinal plant species in the State have been assessed as red listed: 12 species as critically endangered, 21 as endangered and 27 are Vulnerable (Appendix 5.2 Endangered Flora, Appendix 5.3 Endangered Fauna and Appendix 5.5 is endangered medicinal plants) The biodiversity concerns are important mainly because almost all Himachal population and the wildlife reserves and forest reserves are located in the same region. All thematic maps were included primarily to establish that all candidate project roads for improvements or maintenance are also located in the same region. Therefore the widening and strengthening of these roads are sure to have the long term impact to flora and fauna in this region. This could be in the form of an increased access to the forest and forest resources. The forest resources also include medicinal plants that will lead to the disappearance of almost all threatened (medicinal plants) plants in a much increased pace than that occur at present. Therefore this need to be studied properly and addressed through practical and simple implemental measures. Due to the magnitude of the foreseen impacts and its significance to the local, regional, national and global (IUCN and others) significance, the biodiversity concerns have been given highest importance in the screening process. Apart from the impact to medicinal plants, the wildlife resources and logging of trees could be easier through a much faster and efficient transport by way of improved roads DRINKING WATER SOURCES ALONG THE PROJECT ROADS Impact to drinking water sources is also very important direct impact as this signifies second after the land acquisition and impact to private properties and structures. The exhibit 5.24 provides the drinking water resources of along the feasibility corridors. Most important drinking water sources are the following, Public water supply schemes Hand pumps or bore wells Energized bore well schemes Springs Shallow tube wells or Filter point wells Streams EXHIBIT 5.24 : DRINKING WATER SOURCES ALONG THE FEASIBILITY CORRIDORS PWS CORRIDOR NO WELLS HAND PUMPS SPRINGS SHALLOW TUBE WELLS Louis Berger Group Inc. 86

93 CORRIDOR NO WELLS HAND PUMPS SPRINGS SHALLOW TUBE WELLS PWS , , Louis Berger Group Inc. 87

94 EXHIBIT 5.25 : SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION IN RELATION TO THE PROJECT CORRIDORS POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND POLLUTION Most of the six million population is located in the PIA districts with very less dwellings in the snow covered Lahaul and spity. The population presence along the project road has been used to qualitatively assess the air water and noise quality as provided in exhibit 5.25 and Proximity to thinly populated urban centres is the main sources of pollution. Traffic and industrial activity is also low. Louis Berger Group Inc. 88