INTRODUCTION

Access to electricity is one of the basic prerequisites for socio-economic development as well as enhancing the quality of life. Nepal is blessed with abundant water resources with wide geographical variation which has created immense possibilities of hydropower development in Nepal. Department of Electricity Department has issued the survey license of proposed Padam Khola Hydroelectric project (4.8 MW) on BS 2071/5/29 (14/9/2014 AD). The Proponent of the proposed project is Dolti Power Company Pvt. Ltd. This Project is feasible technically and economically and environmentally sustainable.

PROJECT LOCATION

 The proposed project site is located in Kalika VDC and Naumule VDC of Dailekh district of Bheri Zone of Mid-Western Development Region. The entire project components of Padam Khola Hydroelectric Project located along the left bank of Padam Khola within Kalika and Naumule VDCs of Dailekh district. Weir shares the boundary in between Kalika VDC in left and Naumule in right. The weir will be located at Dhadgaun Kalika VDC – 1 Whereas powerhouse lies in Bhitri Khola, Naumule VDC-6. The geographic co-ordinates of the project area vary from longitudes 81°52’30”E to 81°49’22”E and latitudes 28°55’00”N to 28° 54’02”N.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project is a “Run-of-River” type scheme with an installed capacity of 4.8 MW. The design flow is 2.42 m³/s and the gross head available is 243.4 m. The Purposed intake of the Padam Khola Hydroelectric Project has a catchment area of about 59 Km² .

A4.0 m high diversion weir with its crest length of 20.5 m will be constructed to divert water towards a side intake. The Proposed gravel trap is 6 m long. About 44.6 m long RCC approach canal is designed to feed the settling basin. From settling basin, water is conveyed to the surge tank through the penstock pipe of 3220 m long. A penstock pipe having diameter of 1.2 meter will convey the water to powerhouse complex on one side and on the other side it is connected to surge tank via surge pipe.

A surface powerhouse of length 21 m, breadth 11 m with clear height of 12 m has been proposed which consists of 2 Pelton turbines and 2 generators. A rectangular box tailrace canal discharges water coming out of the turbine towards the source river, Padam Khola. The power generated from this project will be evacuated through about 16 km long 33 KV transmission line to the proposed substation at Dailekh Bazaar.

Sudy Methodology

The study methodologies include desk study,literature review, and field study and impact identification through impact assessment matrix. The desk study includes the review of literatures, district profiles, feasibility report of the project, approved. Teams of Reference and IEE reports of similar projects.

Besides group discussion and interview with key informants, local leaders, VDCs representatives and other concerns officials and others were carried out for IEE. Similarly, checklist and household questionnaire survey were also carried out during the IEE study. A public notice was published in 'Artitik Aaviyan', a national daily newspaper, on BS 2071/08/08.

The prevailing plans, policies, acts, rules/ regulations, guidelines, standards, conventions and strategies related with the development of the Padain Khola Hydroelectric Project in Nepal have been reviewed While preparing the present IEE report. The project proponent will be primarily responsible to follow the policy provision.

Existing Environmental Condition of the Project Area

• Physical Environment

Padam Khola, a perennial river originating from the middle mountains has a total drainage area of 59 km2at intake. It is a tributary of Lohare Khola, which in turn, is a tributary of Karnali River. The land use pattern of proposed project structures includes river bank, forest land and cultivated land. The proposed project area lies in Lesser Himalayan meta-sedimentary rocks.

The annual maximum temperature in the project area is 38.2°C and the minimum temperature is 00 C.. The annual average rainfall around the catchment is about 1785 min The design discharge of Padam khola hydroelectric project is 2.42 m3/s.

• Biological Environment

The major plant species found around the project area are Chilaune (Schima wallichi), Kairalo (Bauhinia varia gata), Uttis (Alma nepalensis), Khaniyo (Ficus semicordata), Tooni (Toona cihata), Mauwa (Engelhadtia spicata). The species of mammals found in the project area arc Ban Biralo (Felis chats), Rato Bandar (Maraca mulatta), Dumsi (Hystrix indica), Syal (Canis aureus) and Mirga (Muntiacus muntjak). Nyauli (Megalaima virens), kag (Crovus splendens), Kaliz (Lophura leucomelanol), Luiche (Gallus gallus), Chibe (Dicrurus spp.) and Dhukur (Streptopelia chinensis) are the common bird species reported from the project area. Four species of fishes are recorded in Padam khola.

• Socio- economic and Cultural Environment

According to Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal, stated in the "Population and Housing Census 2011", the total population of the project area VDCs, namely Kalika and Naurnule are 2460 and 1780 respectively. The major ethnic groups dwelling in the project area VDCs is Magar (65.69% in kalika VDC and 85.79% in Natunule VDC). Dashain, Tatar, Maghesankranti, Janaipurnima etc are the main festivals celebrated by the local inhabitants in the project area VDCs. Nepali is the major mother language used in project area. The literacy rate of the Kalika VDC is 57.81% and that of Naumule VDC is 64.09%. Agriculture is the major occupation of. The major cultivated crops are paddy, maize and wheat. The major livestock includes cow, buffalo, cattle and sheep. The overall law and sanitation condition is generally satisfactory. Locals use firewood for cooking food. The project area VDC has no electricity for lightening purpose. They use kerosene for lightening purpose. They have access to public tap for drinking water supply. In both project area VDCs. most of the people go to nearby health post for the cure of diseases. The total number of families affected by this project is five. They expect project employment and support to local development activities.

Impacts Assessment

One of the important beneficial impacts of the proposed Project is the creation of the employment opportunity to the local people including the affected families. Besides, generation of royalty, utilization of local resources, increase in trade and infrastructures, increase in local skill in relevant area and generation of royalty are other beneficial impacts form the project

The impacts of hydropower project occur primarily within or adjacent to the project component site. Changes in topography and slope stability, land use patterns,  hydrology and Sedimentation,  air, noise and water pollution, waste and spoil disposal and associated impacts are some of the impacts likely to be ()calmed on physical environment. The project will require about 4.65 ha of land for project structures for permanent and temporary use.

The proposed project will require 0.56 ha of community forest. About 149 numbers of trees will need to be cut during construction phase. Construction of weir may have impact on fishes present in the River.

About 1.59 ha of private land will be required for the project in the headwork, penstock pipe and powerhouse area which will be acquired permanently. About 1.30 ha of private land will be taken in leased basis for temporary purpose. The loss of land may affect the agriculture production. Other impact includes change in cultural and religious practices, change in peoples' behavior due to change in economy.

Alternative Analysis

Easily available and cost effective technologies are proposed to be used to avoid/minimize the environmental degradation. Considering the medium and small type of project successfully implemented in the country, same technology will be followed for this small project. The project site has been selected on the basis of accessibility, river discharge, its head and minimum impact on the environment. Both the banks were studied for project structures to minimize the adverse impacts. Current situation of power crisis in the country urges for rapid expansion of power projects. Do nothing scenario may not be acceptable.

Enhancement and Mitigation Measures

• Enhancement Measures

• Priority to Local Employment
• Enhancement of Skills
• Business and Infrastructures
• Improvement in the Quality of Rural Life
• Community Support Program

Mitigation Measures

• Physical Environment

Protection works such as retaining and gabion walls, proper drainage will be maintained to control soil erosion and slope cutting, air quality protection measures including spray of water, stringent water quality protection measures, proper storage of the construction materials and safe guarding of the construction sites are some mitigation measures proposed to minimize the impact on physical environment. The other mitigation programs include regular maintenance of engines and equipments, availability of Personal Protective Equipment and rehabilitation of the disturbed sites.

• Biological Environment

Plantation programs will be carried out in the areas as recommended by concerned authority and local communities. The project will plant 2 saplings for the loss of each tree. Since project construction will require falling about 149 trees, 373 saplings (including 25%--mortality rate) will be planted by the project. Besides, riparian release of 0.059m3/s water from the weir will be an important mitigation -measures during operation stage.

• Socio-economic and Cultural Environment

Compensation for land will be given to the land owners. The project will provide drinking water, toilets and health facilities to its staff and workers to minimize pressures on local facilities and resources. Project workers as well as the local people will be provided periodic awareness program on health and sanitation.

The total cost for Environmental mitigation and enhancement measures as well as CSP including environmental monitoring is estimated at NRs. 10,804,350.00 which is equivalent to 1.50% of the total project cost.

Environmental Monitoring

The environmental monitoring activities will be carried out. The proponent Dolti Power Company Pvt. Ltd. will have prime responsibility for the implementation of environmental monitoring. Environmental expert along with support staff will be hired to conduct monitoring works during construction and operation phase of the project. Total estimated monitoring cost is NRs 2,880,000.00.

Conclusion

The findings of LEE study shows that adverse impacts on physical, biological as well as on socio-economic and cultural environment due to implementation of the proposed project can be minimized and/or mitigated by implementing the proposed enhancement and mitigation measures in the LEE report. As per the provision of EPR, 1997, an FEE study is sufficient for the proposed project. All the proposed enhancement and mitigation measures in the LEE report will be responsibility of proponent.