1. business and industrial
2. business operations
3. management
4. project management

ICHPSD-2015
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
(ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS)
G.P. Patel
Managing Director
UJVN Limited
gppatel@ujvnl.com
Sandeep Singhal
Director (Projects)
UJVN Limited
sandysinghal14@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
In the present scenario Hydropower projects are the cheapest and cleanest source of energy.
The implementation of projects involves various activities related to rehabilitation,
resettlement of project affected people and environmental concerns. Severe floods in
Uttarakhand in the years 2012 and 2013 further goaded people to think about the correct
measures for environmental and social aspects related to implementation of Hydropower
projects.
Key words:
1.
Hydropower, Rehabilitation, Resettlement
INTRODUCTION
Hydro power has an important role to play in meeting long term sustainable development
goals. During implementation of the hydropower project it should be ensured that the projects
are sustainably developed which implies minimal adverse social and environmental impacts.
Provisions to benefit all people who live in the basin in terms of the social, environment and
economic performance of projects is covered in this paper. The challenge is to maintain a
viable, profitable and renewable source of energy supporting the region’s economic
development.
2.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
2.1
Effects due to construction of Hydropower projects
Construction of projects certainly impacts the environment, it cannot be ruled out completely.
The extent of environmental impact and recovery thereafter is manageable with proper
environment management planning and its implementation during and after construction of
projects.
Major effects on environment due to construction of projects includes Resettlement causing
social inequities, Blocking fish migration leading to decreased catches, Construction affecting
water quantity and quality, Reservoir and riverbank soil erosion causing impairment to water
quality, Effects on groundwater hydrology, Downstream flow variations disturbing fisheries
and Downstream water quality impaired (e.g., reservoir biomass).
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2.2
Plans to mitigate issues related to environment
To overcome the ill effects of construction the developers are seriously taking into
consideration the effective mitigation measures. Presently adopted and proposed measures are
summarized below:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessment studies are being carried in all river
basins in Uttarakhand by reputed institution such as ICFRE, IIT Roorkee & their
domain expert partners to evaluate the damages due to construction and operation of
Hydropower projects.
Minimum Environmental Flow is essentially considered by MoEF before giving
clearance to HEP’s.
Newly proposed projects consider a distance of approx. 1 km as free riverine stretch
between two projects to facilitate preservation of biodiversity.
Landslides due to heavy rains, cloud bursts results in heavy deposition of debris into
the river, as a result river bed level rises. To avoid flooding of nearby land in future
due to floods of similar intensity, debris from river bed should be removed at least
upto previous river bed level.
Projects proposed in adjacent should be constructed in staggered manner to
minimize ill effects of construction.
Environment Management Plans having CAT Plan, Quarry & Dumping sites
restoration, reservoir river treatment, Fish management plan etc. shall be executed
by developer and monitored by third party.
Studies have revealed that Tehri reservoir has very good quality & quantity of Mahasheer
which are fed from fish hatcheries. By implementation of above mentioned measures there
will be environmental up gradation and it also helps in flood control. Loss of forest cover is
hardly 0.5% whereas total forest cover in Uttarkhand is approx 65%.
2.3
Case studies of post commissioning impact of hydropower projects
Some studies of the post commissioning impact on environment have been carried out for the
Tehri dam by ICFRE, Dehradun, IIFM, Bhopal, Botanical Survey of India and HNB Garhwal
University and studies on Rangit project (Sikkim) and Uri project (J&K) of NHPC. Which
show positive impacts of effective implementation of the environment management plan. The
gist of the findings is as below:
Tehri Dam
(i)
(ii)
CAT activates works have improved the tangible benefits in the form of
Environmental up gradation, carbon sink, soil moisture conservation and noise
control.
The pre and post impoundment scenario of fish diversity shows that the
Schizothoraxspp
has
increased
from
57.9%
to
58.1%.
The
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ICHPSD-2015
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
Schizothoraichthysprogastus has increased from 6.3% to 8.5% of the total fish
composition. Mahseer production has also shown an increase from 9.1% to 12.8%.
However, a considerable reduction in contribution of Garra spp., Crossocheliusspp.,
Barilliusspp., Noemachelius spp., Glyptothorexand Pseudechenesis spp. To the total
fish composition has been recorded as these used to thrive well in hillstreams of swift
and shallow water.
There is no tangible adverse impact of impoundment of Bhagirathi and Bhailangana
rivers on amphibian diversity.
Abundance of reptiles has increased around the periphery of the Reservoir.
Composition and diversity of mammals has also shown an increase in the post
impoundment scenario.
There has been an increase in annual mean density (ind. 1-1) of Zooplankton caused
by impoundment, while the annual mean density of macrozoobenthos showed a
considerable reduction.
As important aquatic animal, which was disturbed by Tehri dam construction was
common Otter (Lutralutra). It was commonly present in pre impoundment habitats.
New habitats like Botanical Garden and new plantations in the area have also attracted
the birds and the population of the species, dwelling in the Botanical Garden, open
parks, and new plantations has increased considerably.
It has been concluded that the moisture regime of the dam is exerting positive effect
and the area is progressively becoming green.
Rangit and Uri projects of NHPC
The National Hydropower Corporation (NHPC) has also carried out some post commissioning
studies on their run of the river HPs in Rangit (Sikkim) and Uri Hydroelectric Project in
Jammu and Kashmir. The Environment Management plans carried out in these projects show
that there has been considerable improvement in the environment in the areas related with soil
conservation, forest cover and socioeconomic development of the community in terms of
standard of living and education.
Maneri Bhali I and II projects of UJVN Limited
These projects present a carefully throughout scheme for muck disposal. About 5.16 lac
cumecs of muck was disposal off at carefully selected sites and terracing and leveling was
done. The vegetation grown over these has stabilized the areas and they have withstood the
floods. One of these areas is now being used as the police line.
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3.
Social aspects
3.1
Rehabilitation & resettlement of people from project area
Rehabilitation and resettlement of people involve dealing with financial and emotional
attachment of people with the place and environment. Major issues involved in social aspects
can be categorized as below:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
Land,
House compensation,
Compensation of other structure,
Displaced shopkeeper,
Each affected below poverty line family which is without homestead land,
Rural artisan/Small traders and self employed PAFs,
R&R Benefits for PAF’s belonging to ST & SC,
Tenants,
Employment and
other Miscellaneous issues
3.2
Measures adopted for minimizing grief of people due to construction of
Projects
3.2.1
Local Area Development Fund
Government of Uttarakhand is working on a policy to provide direct benefits people living
near project sites. The draft has been submitted by UJVNL and finalization of policy is in
process. Gist of draft LADF policy is as below:
3.2.1.1 Composition of LADF
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Money received from revenue of 12% free energy to State Government as matching
share from State Govt.
1% of the total cost of Hydropower projects will be deposited by the developer in
different phases before and during construction of project to Local Area Development
Fund.
Developer will deposit the money received as revenue of 1% of total electricity
generated to this fund which is termed as additional free electricity.
Money will be deposited on yearly basis.
The total money received from developer and bank interest will be used for
development of the project affected area in the chairmanship of District Megistrate.
Money received by State Govt. as matching share will be allotted for development of local
area in the following manner:
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ICHPSD-2015
Table 1:
S.No.
1
Project
Affected
Area
(PAA)
Type of Hydropower
project
Guidelines for allotment of LADF
Project Affected Zone (PAZ)
Project
Affected
Panchayat
Project
Affected
Block
Project
Affected
District
60 %
20 %
10 %
10 %
50 %
20 %
15 %
15 %
2
Upto
25-100
MW
capacity
Above 100 MW capacity
3.2.2
Rehabilitation & Resettlement Policy
This policy has been framed on the basis of G.O. of Power Corporation limited of Himanchal
Govt. for R&R, National R&R policy 2007 and National Hydro policy 2008. Those who are
not covered under this G.O. shall be governed by NPRR 2007 policy. A brief summary of this
policy is presented in tabular form as table 2 below:
Table 2:
S. No
1
Description
Land
2
House
compensation
3
Compensation
other structure
Entitlement
Subject to availability of Govt. land nearby project
area, upto acquired agriculture/non agriculture land
shall be given on priority to landless (70% acquisition)
followed by marginal families.
ii. Rs2.0Lakhs per HA for development of degraded
land.
OR
Monetary compensation as assessed by SLAO under
LAA1894 plus Ex-gratia amount equal to 1.5times the
circle rate.
Minimum land compensation of Rs10Lakhs to landless/
marginal farmers and
Rs5Lakhs to those whose50% land acquired/ small
farmers.
II. Reimbursement of registration cost & subsistence
allowance @25x12 MAW
i. Replacement cost shall be paid as per the latest common
schedule of rates of PWD
ii. Subsistence allowance @25x12 MAW and 12month
rent @2500/- per month.
i. As per valuation done by PWD subjected to Minimum
of Rs15,000/- per structure
i.
of
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S. No
Description
4
Displaced
shopkeeper
5
Each affected below
poverty line family
which is without
homestead land
6
Rural artisan/Small
traders and self
employed PAFs
R&R Benefits for
PAF’s belonging to
ST & SC.
7
8
Tenants
9
Employment
10
Miscellaneous
Entitlement
ii. Rs10,000/- to Rs25,000/- on acquisition of cattle shed
plus Rs20,000/- lumsum for construction of cattle shed.
1. Allotment of shop upto 25sqm area in the market
complex of the project.
OR
Rs2.0Lakhs as one time financial assistance
2. Rs20,000/- lumsum displacement grant
3. 750days MAW for loss of livelihood
Constructed House of minimum of 100sqm plinth area in
rural or minimum of 50sqm in urban area in multistoried
complex.
OR
Rs4.0Lakhs in lieu thereof.
1. Rs50,000/- per family towards seed capital
2. Rs50,000/- per family as financial assistance for
construction of working shed.
i. Assistance of 500 days MAW for loss of customary
rights or usage of forest produce
ii. Preference in allotment of land if any land is available
for allotment to PAF’s.
iii. The resettlement area prominently inhabited by ST’s
shall get 1000 Sqm. Land free of cost if available in
nearby project area or Rs2.5Lakhs lumsum for
community and religious gatherings
iv. The ST’s families resettled out of the district will get
25% higher resettlement grant.
i. Rehabilitation grants Rs Ten thousand.
ii. Assistance of 750 days minimum agriculture wages
(MAW) as loss of livelihood.
i.
Preference in the employment in class III post in
workman category subject to availability of vacancy
and suitability of affected person to those rendered
landless.
OR
1000days MAW one time rehabilitation grant
ii. Preference to the willing PAF for engaging labour in
the project during construction phase.
i.
750days MAW to PAF’s reduced to small farmer
after acquisition and 500days MAW to other PAF’s
ii. Life Pension of Rs1000/-per month to the vulnerable
persons eg widows, destitute, orphans, disabled etc
iii. Non litigation allowance equal to 10% of
compensation against land/property acquired.
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ICHPSD-2015
S. No
Description
Entitlement
Third party insurance against damage to any house in
project vicinity during construction period.
v.
Infrastructure facilities such as water supply,
sewage, drainage, electricity, streets, community
centre, green area, park and approach paths/ roads at
the project cost.
vi. 100units of free electricity per month for a period of
10years from the date of commissioning of project
for each PAF.
vii. Project medical facilities shall be provided free of
cost to PAFs.
viii. Transportation allowance Rs20,000/- lumsum.
ix. LADF for development of infrastructure.
iv.
4.
ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP)
EMP is prepared to ensure that the impacts of the projects remain within acceptable limits.
The components of EMP suggested for implementation are monitoring, auditing and
Institutional arrangements.
Major findings of the study for Cumulative Impact Assessment of Hydropower projects on
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers including tributaries conducted by AHEC, IIT Roorkee are as
below:
4.1
Environment and Biodiversity aspects
Water quality
Geology
Aquatic Biodiversity
−
−
−
Terrestrial Biodiversity
Hydrological studies
−
−
4.2
no impact
Insignificant and no effect on glaciers
transformation is possible but facilitation of
migration for fish can minimize the adverse effects
Trivial and well below threshold level
marginal impact on sediment contribution, impact of
construction of tunnel may be insignificant or
temporary.
Socio Economic Aspects
Mixed response of people living in affected areas is recorded. Overall response is that there is
improvement in living standards of people; people get benefits such as jobs and other indirect
economic benefits.
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Feb 05-07, 2015, Dehradun
5.
CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION
All social and environment costs are passed through tariff. i.e. Developer has no intention of
avoiding them. Loss of employment opportunities will cause migration of local population
and risk on national security. Efforts of Governments are to bring developer and project
affected people together and to adopt procedures which are environmental friendly. These
policies and procedures were not adopted in the past which led to a misleading opinion about
Hydropower projects. The future of people is associated with development of country, proper
planning and implementation of above mentioned measures will give impetus to role of
hydropower projects in sustainable development of the country.
6.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
Draft LADF policy of Uttarakhand Government.
R & R Policy of Uttarakhand Government.
CIA report of AHEC, IIT Roorkee on Alaknanda & Bhagirathi rivers including
tributaries.
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