BHORER ALO ECO TOURISM PROJECT AT GAJALDOBA, JALPAIGURI

Transcription

1 TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) FOR BHORER ALO ECO TOURISM PROJECT AT GAJALDOBA, JALPAIGURI AT PLOT NO.: 63, 67-70, AND 105, MOUZA-JUNGLE MOHAL, JL. NO. 01, PS. BHAKTINAGAR, DIST. JALPAIGURI WEST BENGAL.

2 BASELINE DATA COLLECTION Monitoring period for the collection of baseline data is Octover 2016 to January 2017 (3 months period). 10 Km radius from the project site as the center is considered for the study area. 5 Air Monitoring stations are selected for collection of ambient air 10 Noise Monitoring stations are selected for noise monitoring 4 Samples of Soil are taken for soil monitoring 10 samples i.e. 5 ground water and 5 surface water are selected for water monitoring. We have initiated Primary data collection within 10 km as per ToR guidelines issued by MoEF, August 2009 for Building Construction and Township and Area Development Projects. We kindly request that this be accepted.

3 TERMS OF REFERENCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WOULD INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: 1) Purpose of The Report (Objectives) 2) Complete Description of The Existing Site Proposed for Development. 3) Policies, Legislation And Regulations Relevant to The Project. 4) Significant Environmental Issues Of Concern Through The Presentation Of Baseline Data Which Should Include Social, Cultural and Heritage Considerations. 5) Likely Impacts Of The Development On The Described Environment, Including Direct and Indirect Impacts. 6) Mitigation Action To Be Taken To Minimize Anticipated Adverse Impacts. 7) Monitoring Plan Which Should Ensure That The Mitigation Plan Is Adhered To. 8) Alternatives To The Project That Could Be Considered At That Site Or At Any Other Location. 9) Conclusions

4 TO ENSURE THAT A THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IS CARRIED OUT, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE FOLLOWING TASKS BE UNDERTAKEN: Task #1. Description of the Proposed Project Master Plan and Landuse design would be addressed. The plans for providing utilities, waste disposal and other services, sewage treatment plants and reuse of treated effluent, treated effluent disposal, storm water collection and disposal would also be outlined. A comprehensive description of the project, noting areas to be reserved for construction, areas to be preserved for tree plantation, paved area, detailed parking calculation as well as activities and features which would introduce risks or generate impact (negative and positive) on the environment, shall be provided. This would involve the use of maps and site plans, as appropriate and include information on location, general layout and size, as well as pre-construction, construction and post-construction plans. The possibility of uses of nonconventional/ renewable energy to save conventional energy, shall be explored.

5 Task #2. Legislative and Regulatory Considerations The pertinent regulations and standards governing environmental quality, safety and health, protection of sensitive areas, protection of endangered species, siting and land use control at national and local levels shall be outlined. The examination of the legislation would include at minimum, legislation such as the Environment Protection Act, Town and Country Planning Act, National Building Codes, IS Codes and other Standards, Development orders and Plans and the appropriate international convention/ protocol/ treaty where applicable. Task #3. Description of the Environment Baseline studies, data collection and interpretation. This task shall involve the generation of baseline data which is used to describe the study area as follows : i) Physical environment ii) Biological environment iii) Socio-economic

6 The methodologies employed to obtain baseline and other data shall be clearly detailed. Baseline data includes : (A) Physical i) A detailed description of the existing characteristics of soil (4 nos.), landscape and hydrology. Special emphasis has been placed on storm water run-off and drainage patterns. ii) Water quality of existing ground water sources (5 nos.) and surface water source (5 nos.) in the vicinity of the project site. Water quality information shall be substantiated by data. Indicators would include but not be limited to ph, suspended solids, oil & grease, BOD, COD, nitrates, phosphates, faecal coliform, heavy metals include Arsenic. iii) Climatic conditions and air quality in the area of influence including 12 ambient air quality parameters at 5 locations for 1 season, wind speed and direction, precipitation, relative humidity and ambient temperatures (one location for whole study period). iv) Noise levels of undeveloped site and the ambient noise in the surrounding area (10 locations).

7 v) Availability of solid waste management facilities including solid waste characterization. vi) Present vehicular movement study in front of the proposed project. (B) Biological Detailed description of the flora and fauna (terrestrial and aquatic) of the area with special emphasis on rare, endemic, endangered species. (C) Socio - economy Present population; household size, sex ratio, literacy rate, 0-6 years population, 0-6 years sex ratio, economic base/ employment, public health would be explored. An outline of monitoring programme would be included in the EIA. At the minimum the monitoring programme would include: Raw data shall be collected. Tables and graphs shall be used where appropriate. The results shall be discussed with respect to the development in progress, highlighting any parameter(s) which exceeds the expected standard(s). Recommendations shall be given.

8 Task #4. Water Management Water management for the project including source of water during construction and operational phases and storm water management and rain water harvesting shall be provided. Task #5. Wastewater Management Wastewater management for the project including treatment alternatives of STP and selection of an effective STP and design capacity of STP, recycling possibilities of the treated wastewater shall be done and details of discharge of the treated wastewater shall be furnished. Task #6. Drainage Pattern Assessment An assessment of storm water and wastewater drainage system.

9 The EIA report shall cover but not be restricted to : i) Drainage for the site during construction shall be included with mitigation measures. ii) Drainage for the site during operation shall be included with mitigation measures. Task #7. Traffic Load and its Impact Study of the existing traffic load and the anticipated impact of the proposed project shall be done. Task #8. Identification and Assessment of Potential Impacts Identification and analysis of the major environmental and public health issues of the concerned and indicating their relative importance. Identification and analysis of potential and cumulative impacts as they relate to (but are not restricted by) the following: - change in drainage pattern - flooding potential - pollution of potable, surface and groundwater - Air pollution

10 - capacity and design parameters of proposed sewage treatment facility. - socio-economic impacts - solid waste The impacts that have occurred and those impacts which could still occur as a consequence of the proposed project would also be identified and analysed. Distinguishing between significant positive and negative impacts, reversible or irreversible, direct or indirect, long term and immediate impacts shall be done. Identifying avoidable as well as irreversible impacts. Characterizing the extent and quality of the available data, explaining significant information deficiencies associated with the anticipated impacts. A major environmental issue is determined after examining the impact (positive and negative) on the environment. It is also determined by the number and magnitude of mitigation strategies which need to be employed to reduce the risk(s) introduced to the environment. Project activities and impacts shall be represented in matrix form with separate matrices for pre and post mitigation scenarios. Quantifying the impacts (by Leopold matrix) before EMP and after EMP both during construction and operational phases.

11 Task #9. Impact Mitigation Guidelines shall be prepared for avoiding, as far as possible, any adverse impacts due to proposed usage of the site and utilization of existing environmental attributes for optimum development. Quantifying and assigning financial and economic values for mitigating methods. Task #10. Environmental Management and Monitoring A plan to monitor implementation of mitigatory or compensatory measures and project impacts during construction and occupation/operation of the proposed project. An Environmental Management Plan during construction and operational phases of the proposed project shall be prepared. Task #11. Post Project Monitoring Programme An outline of post project monitoring programme shall be included in the EIA. At the minimum the post project monitoring programme shall include: - Need for the monitoring programme.

12 - The activity being monitored and the parameters chosen to effectively carry out the monitoring work. The methodology to be employed and the frequency of monitoring. Task #12. Disclosure of consultants associated with EIA study The names of the Consultants engaged with their brief resume and nature of consultancy shall be rendered.