ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

Transcription

1 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN A. Attach a note on the status of baseline information with regard to the following: To identify with the interrelationship between the eco-friendly quarry operations and environmental management, Environmental monitoring is the primary tool for assessing the prevailing quality of air, water, noise, land etc. It helps in suggesting and taking mid-course corrections, if found necessary. The monitoring shall be carried out at regular interval based on the guidelines of statutory authorities. Monitoring studies for Ambient air quality, Water quality, Noise levels and Soil quality shall be carried-out by the project proponent, as per the approved standard procedures and schedules to record the resultant quality parameters on a regular basis. Necessary funds will be allocated by the project proponent for the same, as well as environmental protection has been identified, as an integral part of plant operation. i. Existing land use pattern including the area already degraded due to quarrying/pitting, dumping, roads, processing plant, workshop, township etc. in a tabular form: The existing Land use pattern of the proposed site is given in the table below: Table 1 Existing Land use pattern S. No. Type of Land use Area in percentage ii. Water regime 1 Area already degraded due to Quarrying/Pitting Not Applicable 2 Dumping Not Applicable 3 Roads Not Applicable 4 Processing plant Not Applicable 5 Workshop Not Applicable 6 Township Not Applicable 7 Others Not Applicable There is seasonal river by name Ghergisangada halla flowing at a distance of 1.0 Km from site area and few borewells which are located at an approximate distance of 90 m from the proposed quarry site area. iii. Flora and Fauna Flora: The vegetation in the site is of grassland, Shrubs and few coconuts (Cocos nucifera) plantations are also observed in the neighbouring areas. Fauna: Domesticated animals like cattle, goats and sheep mainly constitute the faunal population within the project area.

2 iv. Quality of air, ambient noise level and water The quality of air, noise and water sampled in the project site area are well within the prescribed limits of CPCB standards. Ambient air in the core quarry area was monitored for 8 hours using Ecotech AAS 271 Combo PM 10 & PM 2.5 instruments and analyzed as per National Ambient Air Quality Standards, 2009 notification. The air quality of the site area is as follows: S.no 1. Ambient air Quality Location Core area of the Quarry site Table 2 Ambient Air quality monitoring & analysis Parameters SO 2 µg/m 3 NO x µg/m 3 CO PM 10 PM 2.5 mg/m 3 µg/m 3 µg/m ND A sample of bore well water from the neighbouring site was analyzed for the prevailing quality of water and the result is depicted in given below table. Table 3 Borewell Water Quality Analysis S.no Parameters Results 1. Colour, Hazen units <5 2. ph Turbidity as NTU TDS, mg/l Alkalinity as CaCO 3, mg/l Total Hardness as CaCO 3, mg/l Calcium as Ca, mg/l Magnesium as Mg, mg/l Chloride as Cl, mg/l Sulphate as SO4, mg/l Nitrate as NO3, mg/l Iron as Fe, mg/l Fluoride as F, mg/l BDL 14. Conductivity, µmhos/cm Phenolphthalein Alkalinity as CaCa 3, mg/l NIL 16. Sodium as Na, mg/l 4.2 Soil from the core area of the quarry site was extracted by random sampling method and the detail of parameters analyzed is given below: Table 4 Soil Analysis S.no Parameters Results 1. ph EC (µmhos/cm) Phosphorus as P, (mg/kg) 7.2

3 S.no Parameters Results 4. Potassium as K, (mg/kg) Sodium as Na, (mg/kg) Chloride as Cl, (mg/kg) Sulphate as SO 4, (mg/kg) Water holding capacity in (%) Particle size distribution sand (%) Particle size distribution silt & clay (%) The Maximum and Minimum noise level in the core area of the quarry site was recorded using Lutron SL-4001 sound level meter and findings are shown in the below table: Table 5 Noise Level Monitoring Parameter in db (A) S.no. Sample Location Min Max Leq Core area of the quarry site The complete analysis report for the above said parameters is enclosed as annexure-3. v. Climatic Conditions a. Temperature The climate in the Uttara Kannada district is of Tropical monsoon climate. The weather is generally hot and humid throughout the year in the coastal zones. The district falls under highly agro-climatic zone except the western parts of Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal which fall under coastal agro climatical zone. The temperature starts rising from January to peak May. The mean maximum temperature ranges from 28.2 C to 37.6 C. The mean minimum temperature ranges from 19 C to 27 C. The half yearly temperature of data is shown in the annexure-4. b. Relative humidity The Relative humidity ranges from 73 to 90% in the morning and in the evening it ranges from 63% to 86%. c. Rainfall The monsoon season is from June to September. This season yields around 75% (Halyal taluk) to 90% (Karwar taluk) of the annual rainfall. The period from October to December may be termed as the post monsoon season. On an average the district receives annually around 2750 mm rainfall from nearly 103 rainy days. The rainfall decreases from over 3230 mm in west to

4 less than 1207 mm in east. The coefficient of variability of pre-monsoon season rainfall is high indicating erratic rainfall. The same is the case during the post monsoon season. The variability is 30 to 40 % during the monsoon season, which is normal. July is the wettest month with normal monthly rainfall in excess of 300 mm. The rainfall of data for one year is shown in the annexure-4. d. Human settlement The human settlement within the 5 Km radius from the quarry area along with the distance is listed below. Table 6 Human settlement in the study area S.no Name of the village Distance from the quarry site in Kms 1. Harumakeri Bankikodla Hoskeri Torke Hanehalli Agragon Bidrageri Gonehalli Adigon Bhavikodla Kadime Gokarna Toregazani Hittalmakki Hichkad Hadav Honnebail Hegre Shirur Sagadgeri Nadumaskeri 3.6 e. Population The population of the said villages are show in the below table Table 7 Population data of the study area S.no Name of the village No. House holds Total population 1. Harumakeri Bankikodla Hoskeri Torke

5 S.no Name of the village No. House holds Total population 5. Hanehalli Agragon Bidrageri Gonehalli Adigon Bhavikodla Kadime Gokarna Toregazani Hittalmakki Hichkad Hadav Honnebail Hegre Shirur Sagadgeri Nadumaskeri *Census 2011 data vi. Public Buildings, Places of worship and monuments As such there are no public buildings, places of worship and monuments with historical importance within the study area except Gokarna Temple which is situated at a distance of 3.5 Kms from the quarry site area. vii. Attach plans showing the locations of sampling stations The sampling location for ambient air, water, soil and noise in the quarry site is depicted in the plate-4. viii. Does area (partly or fully) fall under notified area under Water (Prevention & Control of pollution), Act, As per the Water (Prevention & Control of pollution), Act, 1974, the proposed quarry area will fall under the specified area. B. Attach an Environmental Impact Assessment Statement describing the impact of mining and beneficiation on environment on the following over the next five years (and upto conceptual plan period for A category mines) i. Land area indicating the area likely to be degraded due to quarrying/pitting, dumping, roads, workshop, processing plant, township etc.: The said quarrying activity would change the topography of the land area. The proposed land use pattern for the next five years is given below:

6 ii. Air Quality Table 8 Proposed Land use pattern Area in Area in S.no. Particulars Area in % Acres Sq.m 1. Quarry Area , Mineral Storage Yard Waste Dump Yard , Quarry Infrastructure Roads/ Country Track Un trenched area Green Belt/ Buffer Zone , Total , Quarrying activity would cause minimal impact on the air since it does not involve deep hole drilling and blasting. The major contributor of air borne particles would be the use of machinery for excavation & loading of the quarried minerals. Loading and transport of minerals generate some amount of dust depending upon the climatic conditions such as wind speed, wind direction. However the dust generated will be suppressed by sprinkling water at all loading places etc. iii. Water Quality As such there are no surface water bodies except the seasonal river at a distance of 1.0 Km from quarrying site and nearby locations. And there is no liquid waste generated from the quarrying activity. iv. Noise levels The noise level in the quarrying area with loading, drilling & cutting activities would be likely to increase. The workers shall be provided with ear plugs and ear muffs. v. Water regime An artificial drainage system will be developed by the side of the quarrying block and dump yard so as to channelize the water to move further to natural slopes. The anticipated accumulation of ground water in the pit will be pumped out when the pit is deepened below the existing surface. vi. Socio-economics The proposed project will not affect the welfare of the local people, instead it will support for improving the local socio- economic conditions of the people in the surrounding region by providing direct employment and indirect employment opportunities like workshop, canteen, drivers and etc.,

7 vii. Historical Monuments As such there are no historically important monuments in the vicinity of the proposed quarry area except the Gokarna Temple which situated at a distance of 3.5 Kms from the proposed quarry site area. C. Attach an Environmental Management Plan (supported by appropriate plans and sections) defining the time bound action proposed to be taken with sequence& timing in the following areas (or diagrams should be used: In order to implement the proposed environmental management program, periodical monitoring as per statutory guidelines and mid-course corrections/actions, if required based on the environmental monitoring results, management will establish environmental management cell for successful implementation. The roles & responsibilities are clearly defined among the personnel within the environmental cell. The responsibilities of personnel are given below: a. Quarry Manager: Will be responsible for overall planning, execution and management of environmental protective measures and monitoring of parameters in the site area. b. Supervisor: Will be overall in-charge of monitoring of Environmental parameters and effectiveness of environmental protective measures taken and decide about the additional protective measures in safeguarding the overall ecology and environment. c. Skilled and Unskilled workers: Will be responsible for maintenance of plantation, retention walls, roads, drainages, fences, equipment, plant based on the superiors instruction. Quarry Manager Supervisor Skilled Workers Unskilled Workers i. Temporary storage and utilization of soil The top soil generated during the course of quarrying will be removed separately and stored in a designated place within the area and will be utilized for Afforestation purpose as and when required.

8 ii. iii. iv. Reclamation of land Subsequent to the working up to the Ultimate pit limit defined for the mineable reserves, no whole or part of the pit will be back filled or reclaimed because entire deposit will not be exhausted. Hence no reclamation or back filling is proposed. However a part of the quarry will be used as rain water harvesting pond. Afforestation programme for first five years Plantation will be carried out on the lease periphery, near office, workshop and haulage roads. Rain tree (Samanea saman), Honge (Millettia pinnata), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and other local species will be planted. It is proposed to plant with 40 saplings annually. Anticipated survival rate is 70-80%. Year Numbers Saplings Species 1 st 40 2 nd 40 3 rd 40 4 th 40 5 th 40 TOTAL 200 Rain tree (Samanea saman), Honge (Millettia pinnata), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and other local species Stabilization and vegetation of dumps along with waste dump management year wise for the first five years (and upto conceptual plan period for A category mines). The dumps will be stabilized by constructing a retaining wall at the sloping end of the dump. Suitable plantation will be done at the peripheral of the dump slopes to check the soil erosion and the same will be followed for the following years as well. v. Measures to control erosion/sedimentation of water courses. The proposed quarry area does not have any perennial rivers or water bodies in the vicinity of 5 Km radius except seasonal river at a distance of 1.0 Km from the proposed quarry site area. The proposed quarry activity will be inactive during the period of rainy season. However as a precaution a check bund will be constructed around the peripheral of the quarry and also the dump area so that the river is un-disturbed from quarrying activity. vi. Treatment and disposal of water from mine. No water is discharged from the quarry except sewage water from office which will be discharged into septic tank followed by soak pit.

9 vii. viii. ix. Measures for minimizing adverse effects on water regime. Water in the regime will not be affected since an artificial drainage system will be developed by the side of the quarrying block and dump yard so as to channelize the water to move further to natural slopes. The anticipated accumulation of ground water in the pit will be pumped out when the pit is deepened below the existing surface. Protective measures for ground vibrations/air blast caused by blasting. The proposed quarry is carried out by using jackhammer holes with wire saw cutting for cutting of black granite form the blocks. Therefore blasting is not required for the proposed quarry and the vibration caused is very negligible. Measures for protecting historical monuments and for rehabilitation of human settlements likely to be disturbed due to mining activity. As such there are no historical monuments in the quarry site area and no human settlements are affected by proposed quarrying activity. x. Socio economic benefits arising out of mining. Quarrying sites are generally remote and under developed. Standard of living of the people in such areas is normally low, therefore due to industrial activity like Quarrying, local population within the buffer zone are to be benefited by direct and indirect employment opportunities created by the Quarrying activities. People will also be benefited for the facilities developed due to Quarrying activity. Quarrying activity contributes towards economic up-liftment by way of job opportunities in the region. Hence there will be an improvement in quality of life in the area. Quarrying activity will also boost the ancillary industries, business and market establishments. D. Monitoring schedules for different environmental components after the commencement of mining and other related activities (for A category mines only). It is not applicable since the proposed quarry project falls under category B2.