ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Transcription

1 ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES 1.1 INTRODUCTION The primary function of an environmental impact assessment study is to predict and quantify potential impacts, and assess & evaluate the magnitude. The impact assessment forms the basis for development of Environmental Management Plan. Environmental impacts could be positive or negative, direct or indirect, local or regional and also reversible or irreversible. Chapter 3 provided the information on the baseline environmental conditions at the proposed project site for various parameters, while Chapter 4 provides the various pollution loads and stressors that could impact the environment. This chapter discusses the incremental environmental impacts on the environmental parameters during the construction and operation phases of the project. The potential impacts have been identified in Table 4.1 and their mitigation measures are discussed in Chapter 9, titled Environmental Management Plan. Table 1 Identification of Impacts during Construction and Operation Phases S. Components Aspect Potential Impact No. Construction Phase 1. Topography Site development No significant adverse Impacts & Geology 2. Soil Construction activity leading Minor negative impact to topsoil removal and erosion. 3. Landuse & Aesthetics Land development Positive impact 4. Water Quality 5. Ambient Air Quality Surface runoff from project site; Oil/ fuel and waste spills; Improper debris disposal; and Discharge of sewage from labour camp. Dust emissions from site preparation, excavation, material handling and other construction activities at site. 6. Noise Noise generated from construction activities, operation of construction equipment and traffic. 7. Ecology Flora and Fauna 8. Socioeconomy Habitat disturbance during construction activity. Increased job opportunity. Economy related to semiskilled expected to boom. Short term, but no significant negative impact. Short term minor negative impact inside the site premises. No negative impact outside the site. Short term minor negative impact near noise generation sources inside premises. No significant impact on ambient noise levels at sensitive receptors. Short term minor negative impact Overall positive impact

2 S. Components Aspect Potential Impact No. 9. Traffic Haul Truck movement and Minor negative impact Pattern possibility of traffic congestion outside site on Sector Road 10. Solid Waste Waste will be generated from Proper disposal plan will be construction activities. implemented. No adverse impact. Operational Phase 1. Water Usage Total domestic water of over 951KLD will be used during operation phase. Source of water will be Municipal Supply and recycled water from STP. No significant adverse impact 2. Water Quality 3. Ambient Air Quality Discharge of sewage. Discharge of contaminated storm water Particulate and gaseous emissions from DG sets and vehicle movement 4. Noise Noise from vehicle movement and operation of diesel generator sets during power failure located in basement for common area lighting & lift in case of Energy Centre fails 5. Ecology, Landuse change Flora and Fauna 6. Socioeconomy 7. Traffic Pattern Increased job opportunity. Better social infrastructure such as better connectivity. There is sector road of 30 m wide which is well connected to NH Solid waste Both bio degradable and non bio degradable solid waste will be sold to the authorized vendors. No significant adverse impact Minor negative impact inside the site premises. No negative impact outside site. Minor negative impact inside premises. No significant impact at sensitive receptors. No negative impact. Overall positive impact No negative impact No negative impact 1.2 IMPACTS ON LAND ENVIRONMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES Impacts on Natural Drainage and Soil Erosion The project is not likely to alter or obstruct any drainage courses. There is no natural watercourse passing through the project site. Hence the proposal does not involve alteration of natural drainage systems. As a result of excavation of topsoil during construction phase, the impact on drainage pattern, and run off characteristics will be restricted to the small area and may not last more than one monsoon. Proper rain water drainage facility will be provided and the run-off generated will be used for recharging the ground water level.

3 There will be an overall enhancement of the land use pattern in the area, without compromising on the socio-economic status of the local people. The change in aesthetics and the overall visual appeal of the area will be very positive resulting from a nascent development to a planned environment friendly and sustainable niche Impacts on Topography and Geology The proposed site is plain terrain and during the construction phase there would be proper leveling of the proposed site. There is no additional stress expected due to this project activity on topography and soil strategy of the project site and its surroundings Impacts on soil Erosion/ Subsidence: The proposed activity will not result in any significant land disturbance causing soil erosion, subsidence and instability. The area is not susceptible to erosion. There are no buildings or structures at the site, so no demolition work will be required. Land/ soil environment may be temporarily affected due to activities like site preparation, excavation, material handling & storage etc. during construction phase. Proper greening & paving at completion of the project will resist soil erosion. Potential sources during construction are land cutting operations and the potential impacts on soil include; Soil erosion will take place due to increased run-off. Contamination of soil by spillage of oil. To conserve soil property, top soil will be stockpiled and used for landscaping. 1.3 Impacts on Air Environment and Mitigation Measures Potential impacts on the air quality during the construction stage will be due to the fugitive dust and the exhaust gases generated in and around the construction site due to vehicular movement and D G set operations. Dust is major component of air pollution, generated mainly from the following construction activities: Site clearance and use of heavy vehicles and machinery/ equipment etc. at construction site; Storage & Handling of construction materials such as sand, cement, etc. to the construction site; and Other gaseous emissions during construction result from: Operating of construction vehicles, plant, equipment, and DG set. The impacts will be short term and limited in nature. Proper site selection, appropriate location of plant and machinery and their regular maintenance shall minimize such impacts. However suitable mitigation measures will be adopted. Mitigation Measures for Impacts of DG Sets on Ambient Air Quality: DG sets will be used only during power failure. DG sets will comply with the applicable emission norms. Adequate stack height for DG sets will be provided as per CPCB norms.

4 During operation stage, monitoring of emissions from DG sets and ambient air quality will be carried out as per norms. 1.4 Impact on Water Resource and Mitigation Measures This section describes the potential impacts on the water resource due to the proposed project. No surface water body is located in the vicinity of the project site; hence project related impact on water environment would mainly be limited to the groundwater resources. The potential impacts during construction phases are assessed based on the various activities. There will be no impact due to domestic water, since all the wastewater after treatment will be reused on site Impact during Construction Phase During the construction stage, treated effluent from the proposed STP will be used to meet the water requirements for construction activities. Potential sources of pollution that may impact groundwater quality in the area are as follows: Soil runoff from the project may lead to off-site contamination (particularly during rainy season). Improper disposal of construction debris may lead to off-site contamination of water resources. Unaccounted disposal of domestic wastewater from temporary labour camps. Spillage of oil and grease from the vehicle maintenance activity and wastewater stream generated from activities, such as vehicles washing and maintenance. Construction and Development of Site: Development of the proposed site could lead to stockpiling and excavation activity on site, thereby causing erosion of base soil. The run-off from the site may contain high quantity of suspended solids (SS). The impact of runoff may not be very significant except during rainy season. Further, construction of garland drains will reduce the runoff from the stockpiles. Site Workshop: The repair and maintenance of equipments/ vehicles at site would generate waste containing oil and grease. The wastewater stream would also be generated from vehicle washing. The impact can be mitigated to a great extent by installing oil and grease traps during construction phase. Construction of Roads and Parking Areas: The impact from the road construction depends on both the construction practices and the type of material used. Construction waste of electrical installation, painting and flooring may create significant impact. This type of waste would be stock piled and disposed off to authorized vendor. Labour Colony: Mostly local labourers will be employed. Therefore, development of labour camp will not be required. The management strives to employ local population from nearby villages to the maximum extent possible; hence impact from labour activity is not anticipated. However, temporary soak pits and septic tanks shall be constructed on the site during the construction phase to mitigate the impact on surroundings.

5 1.4.2 Impact during Operation Phase. The recycled water from STP will be used in flushing, DG cooling,, Horticulture road washing and excess water will be send to the water bodies after tertiary treatment. It will be ensured that the treated water quality meets the requirement prescribed by SPCB/ CPCB. Also proper measures will be adopted to avoid the mixing of treated water with fresh water. Hence, no adverse impact is envisaged from the proposed project on groundwater/ surface water resources as the project has been conceptualized as a Zero Discharge unit. 1.5 IMPACT ON NOISE ENVIRONMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES Any unpleasant sound is classified as noise pollution. Sound possesses three definite properties: intensity, frequency and duration. Intensity is the loudness of a sound, or the pressure it exerts through the ear. It is measured in decibels (db). In assessing noise, a special measurement empirical parameter called "db (A)" is used to assess the impacts on the human ear. The higher the db (A) number, the greater is the risk of damage to hearing. Loud noise may adversely affect people in many ways. For example noise may interfere with sleep, speech, communication and can cause annoyance and other physiological problems. Occupational noise exposure, is also the most common cause of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), threatens the hearing loss among the individuals exposed to noise pollution for longer periods of time, at a less intense level. For example, repeated exposure to noise pollution at a construction site can cause NIHL to construction workers, an effect that cannot be reversed Impacts during Construction Phase Noise is perceived as one of the most undesirable consequences of construction activity. Though the level of discomfort caused by noise is subjective, the most commonly reported impacts of increased noise levels are interference in verbal communication and disturbance in sleep. Due to the various construction activities, there will be short-term adverse noise impacts in the immediate vicinity of the project corridor. The construction activities include: Operation of concreting and mixing Excavation for foundations with excavator (if used); Construction plant and heavy vehicle movement. Piling and Hammering activities The areas affected are those close to the project site. At the peak of construction, marginal increase in the noise level is expected to occur. Table 1.2 Typical Noise Levels from Construction Equipment Description Typical Noise Level Range, Reference Distance, m db(a) Front loaders Backhoes Tractors Scrapers, Graders Pavers Trucks (>1200 cc) Concrete mixers

6 Concrete pumps Crane (moveable) Crane (derrick) Pumps Compressors Overall, the impact of noise on the environment will be insignificant, reversible and mainly confined to the day hours. Noisy construction activities will be carried during the day time only and this will effective reduce the night time ambient noise level. As per best practice all the noise generating activities shall be undertaken during day hours and enclosure shall be provided wherever applicable to further minimize noise pollution. These impacts will be short term during construction phase, with provision of proper enclosures for high noise generation sources and use of proper personal protective devices, i.e. ear plug and ear-muff will marginalize the impact Impact during Operation Phase The sound pressure level generated decreases with increase in distance from the source due to wave divergence. An additional decrease in sound pressure level with distance from the source is expected, due to atmospheric effect or its interaction with objects in the transmission path. During the operational stage, DG sets, cooling towers, pumps and vehicles are the major source of noise pollution. Table 4.3 highlights the noise levels emanating from various equipments during the operation stage. Table 1.3 Typical Noise Levels from Various Equipment s S. No. Type of Equipment Noise Level, db(a) 1. DG Sets Pumps Cooling Towers IMPACTS ON ECOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES Flora: The ecological survey has been done to establish the baseline ecological conditions in the project site in order to assess the potential ecological impacts and develop a suitable management plan to mitigate the impact due to the proposed project. This section of report presents the ecological baseline of the project site. There will be a positive impact on the ecology due to the upcoming proposed project. Extensive plantation and green area development in the area of m 2 is planned in the proposed project along with landscaping. This is hereby ensured that the mostly indigenous/ local plants will be planted all around the periphery of the project area and along the roadsides. Plantations would be of large leaf trees that provide adequate shade and are semievergreen to evergreen. The landscape plan showing green area, trees and table of tree species is enclosed. Various native and indigenous trees would be planted for mitigation purpose which includes:

7 Table 1.4 List of Plant Species to be planted Trees Name Amaltas Kachnar Copper Pod Pride of India Bottle Brush Ashok Neem Mahua Indian Devil Tree Arjun White Wollow White Fig Gulmohar Orchid Tree Emerald Ebony Silky Oak Kadam Buddha Coconut Imli Java Crassia Champa Ficus Coral Tree Table 1.5 List of Shrubs to be planted Shrubs Name Chhota Gulmohar Champa Harsinghar Hibiscus Kaner Botanical Name Delonix pulcherima Plumeria alba Lagerstroemia indica Nyctanthas arbortristis Hibiscus hirsute Cassia biflora Nerium indicum Cassia aungustifolia Cassia glauca Apart from the above listed tree species, plantation of other ornamental and flowering tree species well adapted to the North Indian agro climatic conditions would also be undertaken in proposed area, with the aim to improve the bio-diversity of the project area. Fauna: Dialogue with the local villagers and senior citizens could not confirm the presence of any threatened/ endangered or rare wild animals. No direct sighting of any animal was made during the study conducted within the project site. There would be only the positive impact from the upcoming project as the fauna will get the proper space. 1.7 IMPACTS ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES This section discusses the proposed project activities and the extent of potential impacts anticipated from these. The impacts can be divided into two phases a) Construction phase and b) Operation phase.

8 Based on the nature and type of impacts, the assessment has been divided into three category i.e. positive, negative and negligible impacts. Positive impacts include job creation, preservation of environment, infrastructure development and benefits to local population by way of job opportunities. Long-term impacts include aspects, such as demography, aesthetics, and archeological sites. Negative impacts include any likely impacts on cultural aspects and well-being Impacts during Construction Phase Positive Impacts: Job Opportunity: The low workforce participation rate of villages reflects the need for employment opportunities specifically in villages. The average workforce participation in these villages ranges from 35% to 40%. The occupational profile of the region suggests that the villagers can be a good source of labour during construction phase. In most of these villages the population is engaged in services other than agriculture. This community can look forward to benefit due to more jobs and also, better access to utilities. The benefit relates to the direct employment associated with the construction of the Group Housing Project. Benefits to Women: The total working population consists only 18% of women while the rest are all men. The proposed project would generate jobs for the women labourers during construction as well as operation phase. During construction phase, they might get jobs as labourers and during the operational phase they might get jobs as domestic help etc. This will considerably reduce their travel time and, therefore, enable them to attend to their children and also other household chores. Increase in Land Value: The proposed project would result in the escalation of the prices of land in the nearby areas. The locals are likely to benefit from escalation Negligible Impacts: Transient Labour Population : Laborers from the surrounding areas might come and settle in the villages. The number is anticipated to be less, as majority of population would be recruited locally. Few numbers with specific skills would be from outside the region. Hence, no significant pressure on local infrastructure is envisaged. Resettlement and Rehabilitation Issues: Since there is no existing settlement on the proposed project area, there is no issue of resettlement or rehabilitation. Demography: During the construction phase as well as operation phase, certain number of work force from out side cannot be avoided. The number is anticipated to be very small and will not alter the existing demographic profile of the area. Impact on Accessing Utilities: Utilities include the supply of water, electricity and sewage facilities. Water would be required for construction and even more during operation phase. Water requirement for the construction period will be met by the treated effluent from the proposed STP of the group

9 housing project. It is anticipated that proposed project would have its own infrastructure facilities, so as to nullify any likely pressure on the available resources. Impact on Recreation: The proposed site, being an abandoned area currently, has no recreation facilities. The local villagers do not visit the site for any such purpose. Hence, there is no impact or disruption of recreational activities due to the proposed facility. Impact on Historical, Archaeological and Architectural Sites: There are no historical or archeological monuments of significance within the project and hence no negative impact in this regard is anticipated Impacts during Operation Phase Positive Impacts: Infrastructure Development: The areas are practically vacant land. The development of the project along with intensive landscaping will enhance the aesthetics of the area. Vegetative cover will be maintained in terms of arboriculture, organized greens etc, which will improve the environment of the area. The ultimate aim is to develop the entire area into green cover to give lung space. Wider Economic Growth: This project will increase the economic activities around the area, creating avenues for direct/ indirect employment in the post project period. There would be a wider economic impact in terms of generating opportunities for secondary occupation, such as new markets and repair & maintenance shops. 1.8 IMPACTS ON TRAFFIC PATTERN AND MITIGATION MEASURES With the construction of the proposed project, the traffic in the area is likely to increase, particularly during the operation phase. The increase in traffic may create congestion, potential delays and inconvenience for pedestrians and residents accessing the localities. However this probability of inconvenience faced due to the movement of trucks during construction phase would be negligible, since the trucks would be allowed to transport construction material during night and non-peak hours. The project complex will have access through National Highway No. 8. The project site is well connected to network of roads leading to various parts of NCR. Internal roads of optimum width will be provided for smooth and one-way movement of traffic. Separate entries and exits will be provided for segregation of the incoming and outgoing traffic. Adequate measures have been proposed to manage the traffic within and outside the site. 1.9 IMPACTS FROM SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AND MITIGATION MEASURES Impacts during Construction Phase The solid waste generated during the construction phase like metal cuttings, debris, plastic material, and wooden logs etc. will be collected and disposed. The soil excavated will be used for backfilling and fertile topsoil will be reused for horticulture purposes. Metal will be recycled. Waste concrete will be reused as aggregate in construction process. Staking of construction materials will be confined to the project site only and also suitable enclosure shall be provided, hence no impacts are envisaged on surroundings. Sitting or

10 disposal of construction waste likely to entail unaesthetic view, unhygienic condition, choking of near by drains, etc. Such impacts are short term. The severity of such impact will depend upon the magnitude and type of construction waste. With proper management of construction material such impact can be marginalized. Conclusively, it can be stated that impacts may be confined to small area (mainly to project site) and for short duration. Proposed mitigation plan suggests maximum re-use of construction waste on site, removal of non-reusable waste from the site and its proper disposal, which would reduce the impact significantly Impacts during Operation Phase The proposed project will use effective sustained eco-friendly waste management systems that will have no negative impact on the environment. The details of collection recycle and disposal of solid wastes are given below: Solid wastes generated will be segregated into biodegradable and non-biodegradable components and collected in separate bins. Both the biodegradable wastes and non-biodegradable/ recyclable wastes will be sold to authorized vendors. Dewatered/ dried sludge from STP will be used as manure in horticulture. Adequate number of collection bins separately for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste will be provided as per the Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, Waste from such bin will be collected separately on daily basis. All the collection bins shall be properly maintained and cleared on regular basis. The solid waste will be collected and taken to a separate centralized collection facility Final segregation of solid waste into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and inert fraction into a centralized collection.