Summary of Preparatory Study for Development Study

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1 Summary of Preparatory Study for Development Study Creation Date: 30 March Full title of the Project The Study for Sustainable Rural Drinking Water Supply in the Southern Khatlon Oblast in the Republic of Tajikistan. 2. Type of the Study Master Plan 3. Categorization and its Reason (1) Category : B (2) Reason : Impacts that may cause by the project to groundwater table and to the strict nature reserve Rigrovaya Balka, and the species management area Karatau are unclear. 4. Agency or Institution Responsible for the Implementaiton of the Project Ministry of Melioration and Water Resources 5. Outline of the Project 5.1 Objectives To improve safe water supply situation. 5.2 Justification Due to the economic stagnation and government budget constraints after independence from the Soviet Union, almost all of water supply facilities have not been properly repaired or maintained and gradually became decrepit. In addition, due to the civil war, it is reported that 30% of these facilities were destroyed and out of functioning. Consequently, a great portion of rural people are now forced to fetch and drink contaminated water from rivers or irrigation canals, which causes water borne infectious diseases such as typhoid, etc. Especially people in the Southern Khatlon Oblast have an urgent need for drinking water supply. Taking into account that the urgent need to establish improved water supply systems in the oblast, the Tajikistan Government requested the Japanese Government to carry out a master plan study to develop the models for sustainable water supply systems for the eight districts in the Southern Khatlon Oblast (with a total population of 810,000 persons) in Location Following eight (8) districts of the Southern Kathlon Oblast, (1) Nosiri-Husrav District, (2) Vaksh District, (3) Dzhilikul District, (4) Kabodiyon District, (5) Kalkhozodod District, (6) Kumsangir District, (7) Pyandsh District, (8) Shaarttuz District 5.4 Proposed activities

2 Formulation of rehabilitation, reconstruction and extension plans for the selected water supply systems. 6. Legal Framework of Environmental and Social Considerations (1) Laws, regulations and standards related to environmental and social issues The framework for environmental impact assessment is provided by the Law on Nature Protection (enacted in 1993, and revised in 2003), which is the fundamental law governing environmental protection. The other relevant laws on environment are shown in the table below. Relevant Environmental Laws and their Enactment Dates Forestry Code of the Republic of Tajikistan 1992 Water Code of Republic of Tajikistan 2001 On Protection and Use of the Animal World 1993 Land Code of the Republic of Tajikistan 1992 Resolution on the Unauthorized Collection of Substances 1990 Resolution on State Ecological review 1994 Resolution on State Ecological Program 2003 Law of Government Ecological Expertise 2003 Resolution on Commission on Chemical Security of the Republic of 2003 Tajikistan Law of Plants Quarantine in Tajikistan 2003 The State Committee for Environmental Protection and Forestry (GosInspeksia, SCEP) is competent agency for carrying out and appraising the environmental impact studies in Tajikistan. In Tajikistan, environmental impact study is a component of the State Ecological Expertise, as set out in the 2002 amendments to the Law on Nature Protection and in the Law on Ecological Expertise (2003). The definition of objects for environmental impact study under these two laws is quite broad it includes every construction project of facilities or any development activities that may have an impact on the environment. Once an environmental impact study is undertaken, it is subject to mandatory review by the SCEP. At the early stage of project planning, a project proponent should submit to SCEP an application for initial appraisal on the environmental issues of the project. In case of a water supply project, result of the water quality analysis (and result of the water pumping test if groundwater development is included) together with the project document should be attached to the application form. SCEP then discuss whether a detailed environmental impact assessment is required with concerned agencies such as the Tajik Geological Agency (Tajikgeologia), the Ministry of Health, etc. SCEP will respond with the result to the project proponent within 45 days after the commence day of such application procedure. In addition, Public participation for environmental protection of Article No. 11 of the Law on Nature Protection enacted in 1993 describes the manners of stakeholders participation.

3 (2) Relative agencies and institutions SCEP is the key agency in charge of drafting the laws and regulations relating to environmental protection. SCEP carries out this task with cooperation with other agencies, such as Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health etc. Any newly drafted or amended laws and regulations should be submitted to the Lower House of Parliament for deliberation then passed to the Upper House of Parliament for final approval. There are specialized committees for public sanitation services, social policies, environmental issues, etc., in both the Lower and the Upper House of Parliament. Several ministries are involved in the tasks relating to environmental monitoring and research systems: SCEP works on hydrology and meteorology, Ministry of Melioration and Water Resources works on water resources, Tajik Geological Agency works on groundwater, Forestry Agency works on forestry, etc. The State Science Academy is carrying out researches on biological system and valuable fauna and flora. Public education on environmental issues is a component of the Ecological Education Program ( ), which is being implemented by Institute of Ecology under supports from central government and NGOs. As a state agency in charge of environmental management, the SCEP has the following duties: i. Drafting and implementing national policies on natural environmental protection, and taking role of coordinator between ministries and agencies on the environmental issues; ii. Carrying out researches, studies on environment and hydrological meteorology; publishing relevant information; maintaining, improving and presenting recommendations on the systems of natural disaster and environmental pollution forecasting and warning; iii. Supervising tasks relating to environmental protection; drafting environmental standards and regulations; coordinating other relevant agencies to conduct these tasks; iv. Drafting laws on environmental protection, guidelines on reasonable use of natural resources; v. Carrying out public education programs for environmental protection. Other major agencies, which are also involved in environmental and social considerations, are listed below: HYDROMET Department of Environment and Emergency Situations (DEES), President Office State Committee for Land Management Tajik Geological Agency (Tajikgeologia) Ministry of Melioration and Water Resources Forestry Agency (Tsajikles), Ministry of Agriculture Sanitary and Epidemiological Services (SES), Ministry of Health SES has been renamed State Sanitation and Epidemiology Investigation Center (SSEIC). However this organization is still referred to as SES in this report because of its commonness in Tajikistan.

4 Ministry of Industry Ministry of Interior Municipal Water Authorities (Vodokanals) 7. Provisional Scoping (types and magnitudes of possible adverse impacts and mitigation measures) Environmental Elements Rating Justification of Scoping 1 Resettlement D Several existing water-supply facilities may be rehabilitated or reconstructed during Pilot Project Phase, but these works are anticipated not entail resettlement. 2 Regional Economy D Drinking-water selling businesses have not been developed yet (including employment and livelihood) in the Study Area. Private enterprises who provide services or supply repair parts for operation and maintenance of the water supply facilities, may be fostered. 3 Land use and regional D Several existing water-supply facilities may be rehabilitated or resources use reconstructed during Pilot Project Phase, but these works are anticipated not cause any significant changes on current land use and regional resources use patterns. 4 Social capital and local D The proposed project involves only the rehabilitation or decision-making institutions reconstruction of existing rural water supply systems, therefore current social capital will maintain unchanged. 5 Existing social infrastructure and social services D Existing water supply services are not satisfactory in terms of volume and quality. The proposed project intends to improve the quality of these existing water supply services. 6 The poor, indigenous and the ethnic minorities D The poor are considered to be beneficiaries of the proposed project. No conflicts between ethnic minorities are reported. 7 Inequitable distribution of D Inequities in benefits distribution among stakeholders are not adverse impacts and benefits anticipated. However, the upcoming development study shall clarify the issue of equitable benefits distribution due to the Social Environment limited groundwater availability. Inequities in benefits distribution among stakeholders are not anticipated. 8 Conflict of interest among the stakeholders D 9 Gender D The proposed project essentially benefits women. However, it needs to examine the manner to promote women participation in the upcoming development study. 10 Children s Rights D Children are used to be engaged in fetching water for domestic consumption, and will be benefited consequently by the proposed project. 11 Historical and Cultural Monuments D No designated historical and cultural heritage is identified in the study area. 12 Infectious Disease like D Project implementation will have no causal relationship with HIV and AIDS the incidence of HIV and AIDS. 13 Water Rights D The proposed project intends mainly to explore the groundwater, and therefore it will not raise the issue on water rights between the stakeholders. 14 Public Hygiene and D The proposed project aims to reduce the incidences of Sanitation water-borne diseases, by providing appropriate safe drinking water to rural residents, and consequently improving public hygiene and sanitation in rural areas. 15 Solid Wastes D Solid wastes generated by the rehabilitation or reconstruction works of the proposed project are anticipated very marginal. And their effects may be ignored through proper treatment and disposal. 16 Natural Disaster (Risk) D Lack of drinking water due to droughts may be reduced by implementing the proposed project.

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6 Natural environment Pollution Provisional Scoping (continued) Environmental Elements Rating Justification of Scoping 17 Topography and geology D Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing small-scale water supply facilities planned by the proposed project will not cause significant changes in local topography and geology. 18 Soil Erosion D Project implementation will have no causal relationship with soil erosion. 19 Groundwater C The over abstraction of groundwater may cause potential subsidence of water table and deteriorate groundwater quality in the vicinity of the pilot project sites. 20 Hydrological Regime of D Impacts to hydrological regime of surface waters surrounding Rivers, Lakes and Inland Waters the study area are anticipated marginal, due to the relatively small quantity of groundwater to be abstracted by the water supply facilities rehabilitated or reconstructed by the project. 21 Coastal and sea zone D The proposed project is to be implemented inland. 22 Bio-diversity, Flora and C The area surrounding the confluence of Vakhsh River and Fauna Panji River is designated as a strict nature reserve (named as Rigrovaya Balka ). And a part of the area along the administrative border of Panji District and Farkhor District is designated as a species management area (named as Karatau ). Impacts that may caused by the proposed project to these two reserved areas shall be studies in further detail in the coming development study. 23 Climate D Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing water supply facilities will not cause impact to local climate. 24 Landscape D Rehabilitation or reconstruction of existing water supply facilities will not intrude landscape. 25 Air Pollution D Pollutant emissions generated by the rehabilitation or reconstruction of the existing water supply facilities are anticipated marginal. The operation of the water supply facilities will not generate air pollutants. 26 Water Pollution C Discharge of polluted water to natural water sources may be reduced through the activities planned by the project which aim to improve sanitation and hygiene condition of local residents in the study area. 27 Soil Contamination D Risk of soil contamination from water supply facilities is anticipated marginal. 28 Noise and Vibration D Areas surrounding the water supply facilities are not densely populated, therefore noise and vibration generated by the electric pumps from the water supply facilities are anticipated marginal. 29 Land Subsidence C Due to the hard geological structure of the study area, it is anticipated that land subsidence will not happen if groundwater is not extremely over abstracted. 30 Bad Odor D No sources of bad order are anticipated. Reference: Environmental Guidelines for Infrastructure Projects, JICA, 1992 (some modifications) Note : Evaluation classification A : Expected serious impact B : Expected somewhat impact C : Not clear D : IEE or EIA is not necessary (no expected impact)

7 8. Envisioned Mitigation Measures / Items to be considered Item Rating Mitigation Measures / Items to be considered 19 Groundwater C Water pumping test should be carried out at each well rehabilitated or reconstructed through the project, and reasonable threshold quantity of groundwater to be abstracted daily at each well should be determined. 22 Bio-diversity, Flora and Fauna C Appropriate measures should be examined in the next-coming development study in order to avoid or mitigate impacts caused by the project to the designated reserved areas named as Rigrovaya Balka and Karatau. 9. Result of the consultation with recipient government on environmental and social consideration including roles and responsibilities The Development Study Team shall co-work with the Project Implementing Agency (Ministry of Meli oration and Water Resources: MMWR) to carry out the initial environmental examinations for the water supply facilities which will be subjected to rehabilitation, reconstruction or expansion during the pilot projects. MMWR shall apply for initial environmental impact assessment relevant to the pilot project, in accordance with the procedure stated in the Law of Government Ecological Expertise. When detailed environmental impact assessments are required, the Study Team shall give supports to the MMWR to carry out these assessments.

8 10. Other relevant information Resolution on the Unauthorized Collection of Substances (1990) Land Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (1992) Law on Foreign Investment (1992) Law on Land Charges (1992) Forestry Code of the Republic of Tajikistan (1992) Resolution on the Ministry of Environment (1992) On Protection and Use of the Animal World (1993) Resolution on State Ecological review (1994) Law on Mining (1994) Law on Utilization of Wildlife (1994) Resolution on State Control of Environmental Protection and Use of resources (1994) Resolution on State Ecological Review (1994) Law on Air Protection (1996) Resolution on State Ecological Program (1997) Water Code of Republic of Tajikistan (2001) Resolution on State Ecological Program (2003) Law of Government Ecological Expertise (2003) Resolution on Commission on Chemical Security of the Republic of Tajikistan (2003) Law of Plants Quarantine in Tajikistan (2003)