r. s. envirolink technologies pvt. ltd. -...
TRANSCRIPT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Sawalkote HEP (1856 MW)
April 2015
Prepared for: Jammu & Kashmir Power Development Corporation
Prepared by:
R. S. Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 402, RADISSON SUITES COMMERCIAL PLAZA,
B-BLOCK, SUSHANT LOK-I, GURGAON Ph: +91-124-4295383 : www.rstechnologies.co.in
Scheme for Accreditation of EIA Consultant Organizations
List of Accredited Consultant Organizations (Alphabetically)/ Rev. 29/ April 07, 2015 Page 1 *denotes Provisionally Accredited Consultants
List of Accredited EIA Consultant Organizations – 172
(as on April 07, 2015)
S. No.
Consultant Organization
Scope of Accreditation
As per NABET Scheme Project or Activity as per Schedule of MoEF Notification dated
September 14, 2006 and subsequent amendments
Sector Number
Name of Sector Category
1
Aarvee Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd. * Address: 8-2-5, Ravula Residency Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad E.mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Tel.: 040-23737633 Conditions apply
34 Highways, Railways, transport terminals, mass rapid transport system
A 7 (f)
2
ABC Techno Labs India Private Limited (formerly known as ABC Environ Solutions Pvt. Ltd.) Address: No. 2, 2nd Street, Thangam Colony, Anna Nagar West, Chennai – 600040 E-mail:[email protected], [email protected]
1 Mining of minerals (Opencast only) A
1 (a) (i) Mining (Open cast and Underground) B
3 Irrigation projects only A 1 (c )
4 Thermal Power Plant A 1 (d)
8 Metallurgical industries (sec. ferrous only)
B 3 (a)
9 Cement Plants A 3 (b)
10 Petroleum refining industry A 4 (a)
15 Leather/skin/hide processing A 4 (f)
Scheme for Accreditation of EIA Consultant Organizations
List of Accredited Consultant Organizations (Alphabetically)/ Rev. 29/ April 07, 2015 Page 100 *denotes Provisionally Accredited Consultants
S. No.
Consultant Organization
Scope of Accreditation
As per NABET Scheme Project or Activity as per Schedule of MoEF Notification dated
September 14, 2006 and subsequent amendments
Sector Number
Name of Sector Category
complexes
125
R. K. Consultants * Address: 17-E/ 403, C. H.B, Jodhpur- 342008 E.mail:[email protected], [email protected] Tel.: 0291- 2706098, 09829021098 Conditions apply
1 Mining of minerals (Open cast only) A 1 (a) (i)
126
R. S. Envirolinks Technologies Pvt. Ltd. * Address: 402, Radisson Suites Commercial Plaza, B Block, Sushant Lok 1, Gurgaon – 122009 e. mail: [email protected] Tel.: 0124 – 4295383 09810136853 Conditions apply
1 Mining of minerals (Open cast only) A 1 (a) (i)
3 River Valley, Hydel, Drainage and Irrigation projects
A 1 (c)
27
Oil & gas transportation pipeline (crude and refinery/ petrochemical products), passing through national parks/ sanctuaries/coral reefs /ecologically sensitive Areas including LNG terminal
A 6 (a)
33 Jetties only B 7 (e)
34 Railways only A 7 (f)
40 (i) Automobile and Auto Components - -
CONTENTS Page No.
1.1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.2 SAWALKOTE H.E PROJECT 1
1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STATUS 7
1.3.1 Soil 7
1.3.2 Ambient Air Quality 7
1.3.3 Noise & Traffic 8
1.3.4 Land use/ Land cover 8
1.3.5 Forest Types 8
1.3.6 Floristics 9
1.3.7 Faunal Elements 11
1.3.8 Aquatic Ecology 12
1.3.9 Fisheries 14
1.4 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS 14
1.4.1 Impacts during Construction Phase 14
1.4.2 Impacts during Operation Phase 20
1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 23
1.5.1 Biodiversity Conservation and Management Plan 23
1.5.2 Catchment Area Treatment Plan 23
1.5.3 Fisheries Development Plan 23
1.5.4 Solid Waste Management 24
1.5.5 Public Health Delivery System 24
1.5.6 Energy Conservation Measures 24
1.5.7 Muck Disposal Plan 24
1.5.8 Landscaping & Restoration for Quarry & Working Areas Plan 25
1.5.9 Air & Water Management Plan 25
1.5.10 Reservoir Rim Treatment Plan 26
1.5.11 Compensatory Afforestation Plan 26
1.5.12 Rehabilitation & Resettlement Plan 26
1.5.13 Environmental Monitoring Plan 27
1.5.14 Disaster Management Plan 27
1.5.15 Cost Estimates of EMP 27
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 INTRODUCTION Sawalkote HEP is a run-of-the-river project that will be using the water of Chenab river
between two operational hydropower projects viz. Baglihar HEP and Salal HEP. Project
components including submergence area are spread in Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur
districts of Jammu & Kashmir. The dam site is located near Tangar village, around 40 km
from Ramban Town. The underground powerhouse site is located just downstream of dam
axis on the left bank of Chenab River. The location of the project is shown in Figure 1.
JKSPDC is executing the project as state sector project and was initially planned with
installed capacity of 1200 MW. Scoping clearance of Sawalkote HEP of 1200 MW project
was accorded by Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC),
Government of India vide letter no. J-12011/19/2011-IA.I dated October 13, 2011. During
DPR preparation, based upon approved Hydrology, the installed capacity of the project was
revised to 1856 MW and same has been approved by CEA in April 2012 - 1406 MW as stage
1 and 450 MW as stage 2. Subsequently, scoping clearance was revalidated by MoEF&CC
for Installation capacity of 1856 MW vide letter no. J-12011/19/2011-IA.I dated June 12,
2013.
The Chandra and the Bhaga rivers constitute the Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab. They rise
from the Himalayas in Lahaul area of Himachal Pradesh. The combined stream then known
as Chandra Bhaga or the Chenab, flows in north west direction through the Pangi valley of
H.P. and enters Padar area of Kishtwar, in J&K. At Bandarkot near Kishtwar it receives its
major tributary, the Marusudar river and then flows in southern direction for about 25 km
through a gorge through Pir Panjal range and enters the valley between the Pir Panjal and
the Dhaola Dhar ranges. The river then flows almost in westerly direction up to the Salal
dam site and then takes a southerly turn and enters into the plains near Akhnoor. The total
length of the river up to Akhnoor site is about 650 kms and the catchment area is 21,808
sq. km. The mean elevation of the Chenab basin is 3600 masl. The catchment of Chenab
above Sawalkote is marked by accentuated orographic features with elevations ranging
from 610m to 6100m. The catchment intercepted at the project site is 19475 sq. km.
Considerable area is under snow and glaciers. The catchment area map of Chenab river up
to Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project site is given in Figure 2.
1.2 SAWALKOTE H.E. PROJECT The Sawalkote H.E. project envisages diversion of Chenab river with dam site near Tangar
village, around 40 km from Ramban town. The total installed capacity of the project is 1856
MW with an underground power house located just downstream of dam axis on the left
bank of Chenab River. Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is proposed upstream of the under
operation 690 MW Salal H. E. Project. The salient features of the project are given in Table
1. The layout map of the project is given at Figure 3.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 2
Table 1: Salient features of Sawalkote H.E. project
1 Location
(i) State Jammu & Kashmir
(ii) Districts Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi
(iii) River Chenab
(iv)
Location of dam & Power House site
330 11'N 750 06'E
2 Hydrology
(i) Catchment Area 19475 km2
(ii) Design flood (PMF) 18711 cumecs
3 Reservoir
(i)
Full Reservoir (FRL) /Maximum water level (MWL) EL.695m
(ii) Min. Draw down level EL.692.8 m
(iii) Reservoir Area 11 km2
(iv) Gross storage at FRL/MWL 530 MCM
(v) Operational Pondage 23.84 MCM
4 Concrete Dam
(i) Type Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) gravity dam
(ii) Dam top EL.697.5m
(iii) River bed level at dam site EL.534m
(iv) Deepest foundation level EL.505m
(v) Maximum height of dam 192.5 m from deepest foundation level
5 Diversion Tunnel
(i) Diameter, nos. & shape 13.5m X 19m, 3 no. Horse shoe shaped
(ii) Length 965m, 1130m, 1280m
(iii)
Diversion discharge (Monsoon in 25years return flood)
9292 cumecs (Monsoon) 2977 cumecs (Non Monsoon)
6 Coffer Dam
(i) Type Earth & rock fill coffer dam
(ii) Max. height of u/s Coffer Dam 53m
(iii) Top of upstream cofferdam 588m
(iv) Max. height of d/s Coffer Dam 38m
(v) Top of d/s cofferdam 570m
7 Spillway
(i) Design flood (PMF) 18711 cumecs
(ii)
Crest level, No. and Size 5 no of size 11 m x 16.5 m with crest at EL. 657 m. And 2 no. of size 13 m x 20 m with crest at EL. 675 m
(iii) Energy dissipation Ski jump bucket
(iv) Plunge Pool EL 515m
8 Intake
(i) Numbers Two for stage-I & one for stage-II
(ii) Intake sill level EL.675m
(iii) Design discharge 519.16 m3/s and 479.19 m3/s for Stage- I 319.46 m3/s for Stage-II
9 Head Race Tunnel
(i) Numbers Two for stage-I & one for stage-II
(ii) Size and type 12.5 m for stage -I & 10.5 m for stage-II
(iii) Design discharge 519.16 m3/s and 479.19 m3/s for Stage- I 319.46 m3/s for Stage-II
(iv) Length About 200m each
10 Pressure Shaft/Penstock
(i) Numbers Six for stage 1 & two for stage 2
(ii) Type Steel lined
(iii) Diameter 6m Each except PS6 with 6.7m dia. 2.75m size penstock for 56MW unit
(iv) Length
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 3
Inclined Horizontal
130m to 140m 50m to 115m
11 Powerhouse Cavern
(i) Type Underground
(ii) Turbine axis elevation EL.525m
(iii) Type of turbine Vertical Francis
(iv) Generating unit in MW For Stage-I 6x225 MW & 1x56MW For Stage-II 2x225MW
(v) Rated head 154.4m
(vi) Design discharge 159.73 cumecs (for each 225MW unit) 39.97 cumecs (for 56MW unit)
(vii) Power house cavern size 23m(W)X46.5m(H)X218m(L) for stage-I 23m(W)X46.5m(H)X64m(L) for stage-II
12 Transformer Cavern
(i) Size 15m(W)x23.5m(H)x211m(L) (Stage-I) 15m(W)x23.5m(H)x56m(L) (Stage-II)
13 Surge Gallery
(i) Size
18m(W)x42m(H)x170m(L) combined for units 1,2,3 and 4
10m (W)x57m(H)x75m(L) combined for unit 5,6 and EU
18m (W)x42m(H)x85m(L) combined for units 7 and 8 of Stage-II
14 TRT
(i) Numbers & type Three for Stage-I & one for Stage-II
(ii) Size & Shape 10.5m dia each
(iii) Design discharge through each tunnel
319.46 cumecs Additional discharge of 39.97 cumecs in TRT3
(iv) Length (excluding outlet structure)
TRT-1=1733m TRT-2=1710m TRT-3=150m TRT stage-2=1904m
(v) Outlet invert level EL.530m (TRT1,2 and TRT-stage2) EL.532.5m(TRT3)
Tail water level at Rated discharge at TRT Outlet (TRT1, 2 and TRT-stage2)
Tail water level at Rated discharge at TRT Outlet (TRT3)
EL.534m EL.537m
15 Power Generation
(i) Installed capacity 1406 MW (Stage-I) 450 MW (Stage-II)
(ii)
Design energy (Stage-I, 1406 MW)- 7022 MU Design Energy (Stage-II, 450 MW) – 976 MU Total Design energy (Stage-I & Stage – II) – 7998 MU
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 4
Figure 1: Location Map of Sawalkote H.E. Project
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 5
Figure 2: Catchment area map of Sawalkote HE project
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 6
Figure 3: Layout map of Sawalkote H.E. Project
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 7
1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STATUS Data on the existing environmental parameters in the study area delineated as per the
approved Terms of Reference (TOR) for EIA studies by Ministry of Environment, Forests &
Climate Chang (MoEF&CC), Government of India was collected to understand the present
setting of the environment at the project site. The base line status is described briefly in
the following sections:
1.3.1 Soil
The majority of project study area (i.e. more than 80%), based upon the maps procured
from National Bureau of Soil Survey & Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), Nagpur, falls under
Lithic Udorthent of Entisols and Entic Haplumbrepts of Inceptisols. Lithic Udorthent are
characterized by shallow depth, and are loamy-skeletal soils found on very steeply sloping
hill summit with very severe erosion hazard while Entic Haplumbrepts are deep, loamy-
skeletal soils found on moderately steep slopes with severe erosion hazard.
The bulk density of soil samples collected from the study area varied from 1.06 to 1.35
(gm/cc). Water holding capacity was recorded highest at Metra village near Jaiswal Bridge.
The soil of the area is typically sandy loam type. Soil of study area is alkaline in nature at
most of the sites with pH values ranging from 7.54 to 8.54. Organic matter content also is
good. The lower pH values and good organic are mainly due to presence of decomposed
agricultural waste and leaf litter. The texture of soil in general is medium and is
predominantly sandy-loamy. Electrical conductivity ranged between 412.2 µs/cm and 480.3
µs/cm. The concentration main nutrients like Nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil is
indicative of medium soil fertility rating whereas the concentration of potassium is on the
lower side. Salinity is also low at all locations.
1.3.2 Ambient Air Quality
The sources of air pollution in the study area are vehicular traffic, dust arising from
unpaved village roads and domestic fuel burning. The air environment around project site
is free from any significant pollution source. Air quality monitoring was carried out as per
the new air quality parameters conforming to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards
for Industrial Residential, Rural & Other Areas.
The NOx values ranged from 5.2 to 24.7 g/m3 at various stations covered as a part of the
study. The NOx level observed at various sampling stations was much lower than the
permissible limit of 40 g/m3 for industrial, residential and rural areas.
The maximum PM10 level observed during ambient air quality monitoring conducted was
40.5 g/m3 at Ramban (Highway) near village Seri. The PM10 level at various stations
covered during ambient air monitoring was below the permissible limit (60 µg/m3)
specified for industrial, residential, rural and other areas.
The maximum PM2.5 level observed during ambient air quality monitoring conducted was
31.9 g/m3 at Ramban (Highway) near village Seri. The PM2.5 level at various stations
covered during ambient air quality monitoring was below the permissible limit (40 µg/m3)
specified for industrial, residential, rural and other areas.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 8
1.3.3 Noise & Traffic
Unwanted sound that is loud and unpleasant or unexpected is termed as noise pollution. It
has adverse impact on the daily activities of the human being and animals. The adverse
impact of the noise on human and animals also depends upon time, season and the quality
of sound. Noise levels were monitored during the studies at various locations in the Direct
Impact Area of the project. The sound levels on an average ranged from 55.9 to 61.8 dB(A).
1.3.4 Land use/ Land cover
The land use/ land cover pattern of the study was interpreted from LANDSAT satellite data
and the classified land use/ land cover categories interpreted. For the present study, Land
use/ Land cover maps prepared by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) of Dept. of Space with Directorate of Ecology, Environment
and Remote Sensing, J&K as partner under Natural Resource Census (NRC) project of
National Natural Resource Repository (NRR) programme was used. Majority of the area i.e
around 40% of the area is covered with dense vegetation with scrub land as second
predominant land use in the area; as given below:
S.No. Land Use/ Land Cover Area (%)
1 Dense Forest 40.56 2 Open Forest 1.15 3 Scrub Land 34.56 4 Cultvation 19.71 5 Settlement 0.17 6 Barren Land 2.53 7 Water Body 1.32
Total 100.00
1.3.5 Forest Types
The forest types of the study area have been described as per the Revised Survey of Forest
Types of India by Champion & Seth (1968). The following different forest types are
encountered in the study area.
Montane Sub-Tropical Pine Forest (Upper or Himalayan Chir Pine Forest) – 9/C1b
Sub-Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (Olea cuspidata Scrub forest) – 10/C1a
Sub-Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (Acacia modesta Scrub forest) – 10/C1b
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Quercus incana forest) – 12/C1a
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Quercus dilatat forest) – 12/C1b
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Moist Deodar forest) – 12/C1c
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Western Mix Coniferous forest) – 12/C1d
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Moist Temperate deciduous forest) – 12/C1e
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Pinus walliciana forest) – 12/C1f
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Quercus semecarpifolia forest) – 12/C2a
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Himalayan upper oak-fir forest) – 12/C2b
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Himalayan Temperate pastures) – 12/DS3
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Alder forest) – 12/1S1
Montane Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest (Low level Blue Pine forest) – 12/2S1
Sub Alpine Forest (West Himalayan Sub Alpine fir forest) – 14/C1a
Alpine Moist Scrub (Birch/Rhododendron Scrub forests) – 15/C1b
Alpine Moist Scrub (Alpine Pastures) – 15/C3
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 9
1.3.6 Floristics
1.3.6.1 Taxonomic Diversity
During the field surveys and also based upon available information, an inventory of 342
plant species in the study area was prepared. The number of plant species recorded in
various taxonomic groups is: Angiosperms - 304, Gymnosperms - 4, Pteridophytes - 16,
Bryophytes - 9, Lichens - 9.
A brief description of each group is given in the following paragraphs.
Angiosperms
In all 304 species of angiosperms belonging to 95 families were recorded. These include
trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers. The dominant families in the study area are Asteraceae,
Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Poaceae, Lamiaceae and Solanaceae.
Gymnosperms
This group is represented by 4 species in the study area.
Pteridophytes
Sixteen species of Pteridophyte was recorded from the area, Adiantum capillus-veneris,
and Equisetum ramossimum are found abundant in the study area.
Bryophytes
The study area is comparatively dry and only nine species of bryophytes were found from
the study area. Commonly found bryophyte species are Polytrichum juniperinum,
Marchantia polymorpha, Polytrichum juniperinum and Funaria calcarea.
Lichens
Nine genera of Lichen were recorded from the study area
1.3.6.2 Density & Diversity
The density of trees varied from site to site depending upon elevation and the extent of
area subjected to road construction in the area. The overall tree density throughout the
study area ranged from minimum of 160 number of trees/ha to maximum of 360 trees/ha.
Highest tree density was recorded at sampling site located near Kanga Village, followed by
sampling site located along the Chinji nala near Dharamkund and sampling site located
near Tangar village and lowest was at proposed dam site.
The shrub layer was quite prominent at all sampling sites and the density of shrub layer
varied from 1600 plants/ha to 3290 plants/ha, lowest density was found at sites located in
upstream catchment of proposed reservoir of Sawalkote HEP and highest at sampling site
located along Bechlari river, right bank of Chenab river.
The density of herbaceous plant species varied from season to season amongst all sampling
sites. In winter season herb density is highest at sampling site located near Kanga village
(88550 plants/ha) and lowest at Sampling site located near Tangar village (40100
plants/ha). In summer season, highest density was recorded from sampling site V1 (177000
plants/ha) located in the upstream of proposed reservoir area of the project and lowest
herb density (117000 plants/ha) was found near proposed dam site. In monsoon season
maximum herb density was observed from sampling site located near Kanga village
(206000 plants/ha). Lowest herb density during monsoon was recorded from proposed
dam site (135000 plants/ha).
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 10
According to Importance Value Index (IVI) most dominant tree species at different
locations are Eucalyptus citriodora, Bauhinia variegata, Punica granatum, Toona ciliata,
Dalbergia sissoo and Pinus roxburghi.
Amongst the shrubs, Daphne cannabina was the single species with high IVI values i.e.
more than 50. Species having IVI value more than 40 are Dodonaea viscosa, Adathoda
zeylanica, Urtica dioica, Eupatorium adenophorum, Debregeasia salicifolia, Solanum
nigrum, Rubus foliolosus, Berberis asiatica, Nerium indicum and Rhamnus varigatus.
Eupatorium adenophorum and Debregeasia salicifolia are frequentlay distributed species.
To understand the species richness Shannon Weiner Diversity was calculated for trees,
shrubs and herbs, separately. The species diversity in tree and shrub was 1.66 to 2.19 and
2.17 to 2.55 respectively. The species diversity in herbs was always higher during monsoon
period and varied from 2.23 to 2.60.
1.3.6.3 Economically Important Plants
The local people utilise various plants species in their day to day life. Mainly plants are used
as timber, fuel wood, fodder, vegetable, medicinal, thatching and wild edible.
Knowledgeable and elder persons of study area villages were interviewed and information
on plants parts (seed, bark, leaf & root) used and indigenous knowledge was gathered.
Secondary information was also collected to know the ethnobotanical importance of the
region. Commonly used plants species for medicinal purposes in the area are given below:
Family name Botanical
name Local name
Parts used
Disease/ailment Mode of preparation
Asparagaceae Polygonatum verticillata
Salam mishri
Roots
Spermatorrhoea, Haemorrhoid Fresh roots are cleaned, broken into small pieces and kept in water overnight. Next day these are ground in the same water. About 10 ml of this solution is taken regularly empty stomach in the morning to cure spermatorrhaea (locally called Dhat) and piles.
Asteraceae Artemisia sieversiana
Charmara Leaves
Analgesic, Aborifacient Decoction of leaves is given to the pregnant ladies as an abortifacient. Paste prepared from the leaves is also applied on wounds to cure pain and swelling
Berberidaceae Berberis aristata
Kshamal Flower Acidity The flowers are boiled in water and filtered. The extract is taken orally.
Cannabaceae Cannabis sativa
Bhaang Seed
Arthiritis Seed oil is extracted by expulsion and is warmed by heating. The warm oil is massaged on the affected part(s). The treatment is undertaken at bedtime once a day.
Lamiaceae Ajuga bracteosa
Neel-kanthi
Leaves
Ulcer, Sores, Dyspnea Leaf powder is given to cure ulcer of mouth. Decoction of leaves (3–4 drops) is given thrice a day to small children (4–5 months old) who have breathing problems and also to cure internal sores
Poaceae Cynodon Drub Leaves Nasal breeding Entire above ground parts
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 11
Family name Botanical
name Local name
Parts used
Disease/ailment Mode of preparation
dactylon are crushed with water. Two to three drops of this extract are poured in the nostril to cure nasal bleeding.
Polygonaceae Rumex hastatus
Almoru Leaves Nasal bleeding Leaves are believed to have cooling properties and help in stopping nasal bleeding.
Rosaceae Prinsepia utilis
Bhekal Seed
Arthritis The seed oil is extracted by expulsion and is warmed by heating. The warm oil is massaged on the affected part (s) at bedtime.
Rutaceae Zanthoxylum armatum
Timru Bark Toothache The bark is removed from the stem. Small piece of bark is chewed for 4-5 minutes.
1.3.6.4 RET Species
The conservation status of all 266 species of angiosperms, gymnosperms, and lower plants
recorded from the study area was assessed. Their conservation status following IUCN Red
list of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3 was studied. Out of these, Juglans regia is
categorised under Near Threatened (NT) category and Jacaranda mimosifolia in Vulnerable
(VU) category and 16 species reported from the area are under Least Concern (LC)
category.
1.3.7 Faunal Elements
1.3.7.1 Mammals
During the surveys only 4 mammalian species belonging to 3 orders in the study could be
sighted. The Common mongoose was observed near Tatsun nala, a troop of Rhesus
monkeys were sighted near Ramban and Dharamkund area, Indian Crested Porcupine and
Himalayan five-striped Palm Squirrel were sighted in area between Ramban and dam site.
However, according to the list prepared based upon secondary data 21 species of
mammals are reported from the area.
1.3.7.2 Avi-fauna
The surveys of the birds in the surveys revealed the presence of swiftlets, doves, pigeons,
crow, drongo, thrushes, redstart, bushchat, tits, bulbul, myna’s, forktails, etc. 42 species of
bird species belonging to 25 families inhabit these areas. The sighting of Plumbeous Water
Redstart and White Capped Water Redstart was made mostly near the water body like
river and nalas. While Pigeons Dove, swifts and martin were sighted mostly near the
settlements. Black kite was seen near the river bank at Ramban town and Himalayan
Griffon vulture was sighted near Seri village along the National Highway.
1.3.7.3 Herpetofauna
Herpeto-fauna were sampled on the same transects marked for mammals and birds.
During the survey Laudakia tuberculata (Kashmir Rock Agama), Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis
(Skittering frog) and Asymblepharus ladacensis (Ladakhi Rock skink) were sighted in the
study area besides these no other herpetofauna species were encountred during the
survey.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 12
1.3.7.4 Insects
Total 15 insect species are reported from the study area.
1.3.7.5 Butterflies
A total of 15 species of butterflies belonging to 5 families were recorded from the
surroundings of proposed project area. Nymphalidae family was represented by 6 species
followed by Lycaenidae, Libellulidae, Papilionidae and Pieridae respectively. Among the
butterflies, Indian Cabbage White (Pieris canidia indica), Plain Tiger Pale Grass and Blue Pansy
were most dominant at all sites while others were observed only at two or three sites of the
study area.
1.3.7.6 Threatened & Endangered Fauna
Only two of the mammals in the study area fall under the category RET fauna. Common
leopard is falls under Near Threatened category and Himalayan Black Bear comes under
Vulnerable category as per IUCN Red list of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3 and both
fall under Schedule I as per Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
According to WPA (1972) two species fall under Schedule-I viz. Panthera pardus (Leopard),
Himalayan Black Bear. Four species fall under Schedule-II, and two species under Schedule-III.
Among rest of the species two are under Schedule-IV and one is under Schedule-V.
All the birds in the study area fall under Least Concern category of IUCN. As per the Wildlife
(Protection) Act 1972 three bird species falls under Schedule I viz. Black Kite, Monal and
Kaleez pheasant.
1.3.8 Aquatic Ecology
1.3.8.1 Physico-chemical Water Quality
To study various physico-chemical and biological characteristics of Chenab river and its
tributaries, the sampling was carried out at 8 sites in the study area.
The temperature of the river water and its major tributaries fluctuated from 4.3C to 5.6C
in the winter, 10.9C to 13.4C in summer and 13.9C to 15.8C in monsoon season.
Electrical conductivity (EC) which is a measure of the ability of water to conduct an electric
current and it mainly depends on concentration of the ions dissolved in water ranged from
61 to 207 µS/cm during 3 seasons. Turbidity of surface water tends to increase during
runoff events as a result of increased overland flow, stream flow and erosion. The turbidity
level ranged from 11 to 34 NTU during 3 seasons.
The river water was relatively alkaline and the pH recorded at all the sites was more than 7
during all the three seasons and ranged from 7.10 to 7.87. The Dissolved oxygen (DO)
concentration was generally negatively correlated with water temperature. Dissolved
Oxygen was maximum i.e. 9.6 -10.9 mg/l during winter season followed by pre-monsoon
and monsoon. The water of Chenab is soft in nature with Total hardness varying from 23.6
to 68.9 mg/l. Nitrate and phosphate concentrations were quite low at all the sites and
increased from winter season to pre-monsoon season and lowest in monsoon season.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 13
Coliforms were recorded from the Kali Khad, Bichlari River and Chainji nala and Ramban area
during winter season. This may be attributed to the anthropogenic activities which are
common in the watersheds of Bichlari River and Chainji nala.
1.3.8.2 Biological Parameters
Periphyton
In all total, 45 species of periphyton were identified in the samples collected from
proposed hydroelectric project study area. The periphyton community comprised of 34
species of Bacillariophyceae and 11 species of Fragilariophyceae class. The total number of
taxa recorded during different seasons varied from 22 in monsoon and 34 in pre-monsoon
45 in winter season. Among Bacillariophyceae 34, 26 and 18 species were recorded during
winter, pre-monsoon and monsoon sampling period, respectively. Most common species
are Achnanthes crenulata, Achnanthidium affinis, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis
placentula var. euglypta, Cymbella excisa, Cymbella turgidula, Gomphonema clevei,
Gomphonema minutum and Reimeria sinuata species.
The Fragilariophyceae class was represented by 11 species wih 11, 8 and 4 species
recorded during winter, pre-monsoon and mosoon surveys, respectively. Most common
species are Hannae arcus, Diatoma hyemale, Diatoma vulgaris var. producta, Fragilaria
capucina and Fragilaria rumpens.
Phytoplankton
In all total, 29 species of phytoplankton were identified in the samples collected from
proposed project study area. The phytoplankton community comprised of 24 species of
Bacillariophyceae and 5 species of Fragilariophyceae. The total number of taxa recorded
during different seasons varied from 10 in monsoon and 19 in pre-monsoon 24 in winter
season. Among Bacillariophyceae 19, 15 and 9 species were recorded during winter, pre-
monsoon and mosoon sampling period respectively. Most common species are Achnanthes
crenulata, Achnanthidium affinis, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis placentula var.
euglypta, Cymbella laevis, Gomphonema parvulum and Synedra ulna.
The Fragilariophyceae was represented by 5 species wih 5, 4 and 2 species recorded during
winter, pre-monsoon and monsoon surveys, respectively. Most common species are
Hannae arcus, Diatoma hyemale and Fragilaria capucina species.
Zooplankton
The zooplankton population is quite low in Chenab rivers owing to fast flows of the rivers.
Zooplanktons are represented by Vorticella sp. of Protozoa; Daphnia sp. of Cladocera and
Cyclops sp. of Copepoda. The important species of zooplankton are Vorticella and Daphnia
(Cladocera) found at most of the sampling sites during all season. The density of
zooplanktons ranged from 23 to 67 in winter season, 15 to 44 in summer season and 10 to
19 during monsoon.
Macro-invertebrates
The macro-invertebrate fauna of the study area comprised of six orders viz.
Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera during the survey.
Families Heptageniidae, Perlodidae and Chironomidae were most dominant group at all the
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 14
sampling sites of Chenab river in the winter season. The tributaries of Chenab river were
rich in macro-invertebrates. Heptageniidae, Baetidae Ephemerellidae and Hydroptilidae
and Chironomidae were the most common taxa of all the sampling sites studied.
1.3.9 Fisheries
During the field surveys experimental fishing was undertaken to know the type of fishes
available in Chenab River. Local people were interviewed about the type of fish found in
Chenab river. According to them and data gathered from literature fishes found are Snow
trouts like Schizothorax esocinus, S. richardsonii, S. plagiostomus, and S. labiatus and
inaddition Glyptosternum reticulatum, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow trout), Salmo trutta
fario (Brown trout), carps and mahseer are also reported from the river.
Among them Snow trouts Schizothorax esocinus and S. richardsonii are known to perform
local migration. To cope with the fall in the water temperature in winter months, they
descend to the lower stretches. When temperature rises from freezing levels to 100C-170C
in May and June then they ascend to upper stretches and tributaries to lay their eggs.
Fish fauna in the Chenab river and its streams is determined by the water temperature, the
flow velocity and type of substrate. The species found here are either endowed with strong
locomotion like Snow trout and Mahseer or have developed special organs of attachment
in species like Garra and Glyptosternoids. The fishes inhabiting the river and streams are
Mahseer (Tor spp.), minor carps (Labeo dero and L. dyocheilus), Lesser baril (Barilius
bendelisis), Sucher head (Garra gotyla), Snow Trout (Schizothorax spp.), Loaches
(Nemacheilus spp. and Botia birdi) and the Sissorid fishes (Glyposternum reticulatum,
Glyptothorax conirostris and G. pectinopterus).
During experimental fishing 5 individuals of trout fish (Schizothorax spp.) were captured
near Dharmkund of size varying from 25cm to 35 cm and weighing about 200 to 500g.
A consultation meeting was held with Assistant Director Fisheries, Field Inspector of
Fisheries Department and licenced fisherman at Ramban. The fisheries department officials
and the local fisherman told that not many fish species are found in the river.
Following C.A.M.P. guidelines all the fish species reported from Chenab river were assessed
for their conservation status. Tor putitora, T. tor and Glyposternum reticulatum are
categorized as ‘Endangered species and Schizothorax richardsonii, Garra gotyla and Labeo
dero have been placed under ‘Vulnerable’ category. According to IUCN Redlist only Tor
putitora falls under Endangered category while Schizothorax richardsonii is under
Vulnerable category and Tor tor under Near Threatened category.
1.4 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS
1.4.1 Impacts during Construction Phase
Majority of the environmental impacts attributed to construction works are temporary in
nature, lasting mainly during the construction phase and often do not extend much beyond
the construction period. However, as the construction phase of Hydroelectric Projects is
fairly large and extend into several years, if these issues are not properly addressed, the
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 15
impacts can continue even after the construction phase for longer duration. Even though
the impacts due to construction are temporary in nature, they need to be reviewed closely
as they could be significant due to the nature and intensity of the impacts.
1.4.1.1 Impacts due to immigration of Construction Workers
At the time of peak construction work in the project, around 6500 persons are expected to
be engaged, including those from the local population. Majority of the Construction
workers will migrate into the area. Immigration of such a large population for a long
duration in remote area can cause serious impact on various environmental resources
including socio-economic profile of local population. The congregation of large number of
construction workers during the peak construction phase is likely to create problems of
sewage disposal, solid waste management, tree cutting to meet fuel requirement, etc.
Appropriate mitigating measures have been suggested in EMP, which needs to be
implemented to minimize such impacts. This population is expected to reside in the project
area at any given time.
1.4.1.2 Construction of Main Project Components
For construction of main project components major activities are excavation, mechanical
and civil construction work. Excavation will have impact in terms of muck generation.
Excavation and concreting process will require use of various construction equipment such as
batching plants, aggregate processing plants, dumper trucks, excavators, dozers, shotcrete
machines, jack hammers, generators, pumps, etc leading to generation of pollution in terms of
emissions, wastewater, noise and solid waste.
1.4.1.3 Quarrying Operations
Requirement of material from rock quarry is estimated to be of the order of 10 lakh m3.
The proposed quarry is located on left bank of Mandiyal Nala, tributary of Chenab. The
total volume of utilizable material available has been estimated as 77.6 Lakh m3. Total area
likely to be disturbed due to quarrying would be around 22 ha. Opening of the quarries will
cause visual impacts because they remove a significant part of the hills. Other impacts will
be the noise generated during aggregate acquisition through explosive and crushing, which
could affect wildlife in the area, air pollution is caused during the crushing operation to get
the aggregates to the appropriate size and transport of the aggregates to the site.
1.4.1.4 Operation of Construction Plant and Equipment
During the construction phase, various types of equipment will be brought to the site and
construction plants and repair workshops will be set up. These include crushers, batching
plant, drillers, earth movers, rock bolters, etc. The siting of these construction equipments
would require significant amount of space. In addition, land will also be temporarily
acquired, i.e. for the duration of project construction; for storage of the quarried material
before crushing, crushed material, cement, steel, etc.
These construction plant and repair workshops will have impact on ambient air quality due
to fugitive emissions associated with operation of DG sets to meet the power requirements
and other equipments; impact on water quality due to wastewater generation and impact
on soil due to solid waste generation. Management of such impacts with operation control
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 16
and appropriate pollution control equipment is essential to minimize their effect on
surrounding environment including local population and wildlife and same is discussed in
EMP. Additionally, proper siting of these facilities can also reduce the impact due to their
location. Their locations have been identified during the preparation of Detailed Project
Report, keeping in view the technical and economic criteria; however, same can be further
refined during set up, keeping in view:
Proximity to the site of use
Sensitivity of forests in the nearby areas
Wildlife, if any, in the nearby area
Proximity from habitations
Predominant wind direction
Natural slope and drainage
1.4.1.5 Muck Disposal
The construction would involve about 295,000 cum of soil excavation and 7,435,000 cum of
rock excavation. About 65% of rock excavation is expected to be used for producing coarse
and fine aggregate for concrete production and in fillings for developing areas for
construction facilities. Total quantity of excavation in common soil and balance 35%
quantity of rock excavation would have to be disposed in muck disposal area. Thus
considering swell factors 0.67 for rock and 0.75 for common soil and redeposit compaction
factor of 90%, total muck disposal area should have a capacity of about 3,406,810 cum.
Keeping the above requirement and vicinity of the excavation sites in view, two muck
disposal areas named as MDS-1 and MDS-2 have been identified. Total capacity of these
sites is about 4,820,068 cum.
Muck, if not securely transported and dumped at pre-designated sites, can have serious
environmental impacts, such as:
Can be washed away into the main river which can cause negative impacts on the
aquatic ecosystem of the river.
Can lead to impacts on various aspects of environment. Normally, the land is
cleared before muck disposal. During clearing operations, trees are cut, and
undergrowth perishes as a result of muck disposal.
In many of the sites, muck is stacked without adequate stabilization measures. In
such a scenario, the muck moves along with runoff and creates landslide like
situations. Many a times, boulders/large stone pieces enter the river/water body,
affecting the benthic fauna and other components of aquatic biota.
Normally muck disposal is done at low lying areas, which get filled up due to
stacking of muck. This can sometimes affect the natural drainage pattern of the
area leading to accumulation of water or partial flooding of some area which can
provide ideal breeding habitat for mosquitoes.
A detailed Muck Disposal Plan has been prepared to minimize the impact and is given in
Environmental Management Plan.
1.4.1.6 Road Construction
To access the project site 18 km approach road is under construction from Dharmkund to
Tangar village. A network of roads is also required to approach various locations of project site
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 17
such as Dam sites, Adits, Powerhouse, Main Access Tunnel (MAT) and Tailrace Tunnel (TRT)
portal, Dumping yards, quarry locations etc. It has been assessed that about 16.7 km length of
new road is required to be constructed to facilitate construction of various components. Apart
from the construction of new project roads of 45 km stretch of existing approach road from
Ramban to Dharmkund needs to be widened and strengthened for the movement of heavy
equipment and machinery in all weathers and round the year.
The major impacts likely to accrue as a result of construction of the roads are:
Loss of forest and vegetation by cutting of trees
Geological disturbance due to blasting, excavation, etc.
Soil erosion as the slope cutting operation disturbs the natural slope and leads to
land slips and landslides.
Interruption of drainage and change in drainage pattern
Disturbance of water resources with blasting and discriminate disposal of fuel and
lubricants from road construction machinery
Siltation of water channels/ reservoirs from excavated debris
Effect on flora and fauna
Air pollution due to dust from debris, road construction machinery, etc.
The indirect impact of the construction of new roads is the increase in accessibility to
otherwise undisturbed areas, resulting in greater human interference and subsequent
adverse impacts on the ecosystem. Appropriate management measures required to
mitigate adverse environmental impacts during road construction have been
recommended. The details of the same have been covered in Environmental Management
Plan.
1.4.1.7 Impact due to Acquisition of Land
Hydroelectric projects are location specific and require land to be acquired for various
project activities. For the development of Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project, land would be
acquired for construction of project components, submergence area, muck dumping,
quarrying, construction camps and colony, etc. Total land required for the construction of
Sawalkote H.E. Project activities is approximately 1401.35 ha. Based on the final project
layout, land requirement has been finalized as 1401.35 ha; as per the break up given
below.
Land requirement for Sawalkote HE project
S. No District Description Forest Land (Ha)
Private Land (Ha)
Govt. Land (Ha)
Total Area (Ha)
1 Ramban Submergence 386.6 136.65 507.3 1030.55
Utilities 9 39 19 67
2 Udhampur Submergence 55.75 - 7.25 63
Utilities 134 - - 134
3 Reasi Submergence 57.2 - 8 65.2
Utilities 41.6 - - 41.6 Total Land Break Up 684.15 175.65 541.55 1401.35
Major impact of land acquisition is permanent change of landuse, which is unavoidable.
Additionally, land acquisition has impacts on local population by way of loss of their
agriculture land and hence livelihood and also impact on flora and fauna by way of loss of
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 18
forest land and clearing of vegetation on acquired land. These impacts will be mitigated by
implementing R & R plan, Biodiversity Conservation and Forest Management Plan, as
discussed in EMP.
1.4.1.8 Impact on Water Quality
a) Sewage from Construction worker Camps
The disposal of untreated sewage can lead to water pollution, resulting in increase in
coliforms and other various pathogens, which can lead to incidence of water borne
diseases. Therefore, project authorities would be taking appropriate measures to check
such disposal into the river. In order to avoid any deterioration in water quality due to
disposal of untreated sewage from labour camps, appropriate sewage treatment facilities
will be commissioned in the labour camps.
b) Effluent from Construction Plants and Workshops
Discharge of untreated wastewater will adversely affect the water quality of receiving
water body. Turbidity and oil & grease levels will increase substantially in small tributaries,
especially, in lean season. To minimize the impact, such effluent needs to be treated in situ
before discharge to any water body or for land application.
c) Disposal of Muck
The major impact on the water quality arises when the muck is disposed along the river
bank. The project authorities have identified suitable muck disposal sites which are located
near the river channel. The muck will essentially come from the tunneling, road-building
activity, and other excavation works. The unsorted waste going into the river channel will
greatly contribute to the turbidity of water continuously for long time periods. The high
turbidity is known to reduce the photosynthetic efficiency of primary producers in the river
and as a result, the biological productivity will be greatly reduced. Therefore, the prolonged
turbid conditions would have negative impact on the aquatic life.
1.4.1.9 Impact on Terrestrial Flora
Major impact on the flora in and around the project area would be due to increased level
of human interferences. The workers may also cut trees to meet their requirements for
construction of houses, furniture. Normally in such situations, lot of indiscriminate use or
wastage of wood is also observed, especially in remote or inaccessible areas. Thus, it is
necessary to implement adequate surveillance to mitigate the adverse impacts on
terrestrial flora during project construction phase.
1.4.1.10 Impact on Terrestrial Fauna
a) Disturbance to Wildlife
During the construction period, large number of machinery and construction workers shall
be mobilized, which may create disturbance to wildlife population in the vicinity of project
area. The operation of various equipments will generate significant noise, especially during
blasting which will have adverse impact on fauna of the area. The noise may scare the
fauna and force them to migrate to other areas. Likewise siting of construction plants,
workshops, stores, labour camps etc. could also lead to adverse impact on fauna of the
area. During the construction phase, accessibility to area will lead to influx of workers and
the people associated with the allied activities from outside will also increase. Increase in
human interference could have an impact on terrestrial ecosystem.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 19
b) Impacts on Migratory Routes
The faunal species observed in the project area are not migratory in nature. The proposed
submergence area is not the migratory route of wild animals. The construction of the
proposed H.E. Project will form a reservoir of 11 sq km, which is also not reported to be on
the migratory route of any major faunal species.
1.4.1.11 Impact on Aquatic Ecology
Major sources of construction related impacts on water quality will be from erosion of the
disturbed area required for the construction activities (construction sites, concrete batch
plants, material storage areas, vehicle maintenance areas, disposal areas), from waste
water discharge from the construction labour camps and from contaminated water (oil,
grease, petro chemicals, cement and chemicals) resulting from various construction
activities. The primary impact will be the potential for introducing sediments and pollutants
to the adjacent river body during the period of construction, thereby affecting aquatic
habitats and water source for residents and wildlife downstream of the construction areas.
1.4.1.12 Impact on Noise Environment
Sources of noise will be the vehicles and equipment for excavation and stationary
equipment, including concrete batch plant located at the construction sites. Other sources
of noise will be the use of explosives for blasting purposes for construction activities,
drilling machines and quarrying and crushing activities.
1.4.1.13 Impact on Air Quality
In general hydropower projects do not affect the air quality in a significant manner. The
sources and activities that might affect air quality in the project area are vehicular traffic,
dust arising from unpaved village roads and domestic fuel burning. The air environment
around project site is free from any significant pollution source. Therefore, ambient air
quality is quite good in and around the project area.
1.4.1.14 Traffic Analysis
Traffic analysis is carried out by understanding the existing carrying capacity of the roads
near to the project site and the connecting main roads in the area. Then depending on the
capacity of the muck generation, the number of trucks that will be added to the present
scenario will be compared to the carrying capacity.
1.4.1.15 Impact on Socio-economic Environment
a) Positive Impacts on Socio-Economic Environment
The following positive impacts are anticipated on the socio-economic environment of the
local people of villages of project area during the project construction and operation
phases:
i) A number of marginal activities and jobs would be available to the locals during
construction phase.
ii) Developer bringing large scale investment to the area will also invest in local area
development and benefit will be reaped by locals. Education, medical,
transportation, road network and other infrastructure will improve.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 20
iii) The availability of electricity in the rural areas will reduce the dependence of the
locals on alternative energy sources namely forest.
iv) With increased availability of electricity, small-scale and cottage industries are likely
to come up in the area.
v) The proposed project site is well connected by road. Efforts to be made to develop
eco-tourism, which could earn additional revenue.
b) Negative Impacts on Socio-Economic Environment
Such projects, in addition, to positive impact on socio-economic environment may also
bring certain negative impact due to influx of outside population. Workforce will reside in
that area for around five years and also there will be large influx of drivers and other
workers on temporary basis. This influx of people in otherwise isolated area may lead to
various social and cultural conflicts during the construction stage. Developers need to take
help of local leaders, Panchayat and NGOs to ensure minimum impact on this count.
c) Increased incidence of Diseases
Large scale activity in the area due to the proposed project may become a cause of spread
of HIV/AIDS in the project area due to following reasons:
• Project requires long-term input of labour from outside the area.
• Project requires that significant numbers of project employees be separated
from their families for long periods of time
• Project involves the creation of large, temporary construction camp(s).
• Increases mobility of people in and out of the area (job seekers, formal and
informal service providers).
• Requires participation / resettlement of the local population.
d) Indirect and Cumulative Impacts on Natural Resources
The improved year round access to the whole project area from new and upgraded roads
will enable people to settle in the area. Use of the improved access will enable movement
from one area to another. This translates into the development of roadside villages, and a
potential increased pressure on the natural resources in the vicinity of the roads. The
increased pressure will include uncontrolled logging, hunting of wildlife, non-timber forest
product collection, livestock husbandry, the cultivation in forest areas and forest fires.
These impacts are expected during the economic development of the river basin, and are
expected to be managed by the basin level catchment area treatment plan, and the
proposed Environmental Master Plan for the state.
1.4.2 Impacts during Operation Phase
On completion of the construction of the project, the land used for construction activities,
muck dumping, quarrying, etc. will be restored. Construction workers who have resided in
that area will move to another project site. By ensuring all the mitigation and management
measures, as planned for this project, are implemented to minimize the impact of
construction phase, large part of the area will go back to its original form. However, there
will be some permanent changes such as dam across the river, reservoir formation,
powerhouse and project colony. Hydropower projects are considered as clean source of
renewable energy as there are no significant pollution generation sources during project
operation. There is no air and water pollution from the project operation. Similarly
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 21
generation of solid and hazardous waste is also insignificant.
One critical impact of operation of hydropower projects has received substantial attention
from environmentalists in last two to three decades based on the observations made on
operational projects in developed countries is the decrease in flow in the downstream
stretch. Diversion of water from dams to powerhouse will make the intermediate stretch of
the river almost dry especially during lean season. Impact becomes significant if several
projects are planned in cascade and/or large headrace tunnels making the intermediate
stretch (es) very large. Low flow in the section of the river adversely impacts the aquatic
ecology including fish fauna, riparian vegetation and fauna dependent on it; and
downstream users. These impacts cannot be totally mitigated, however, they can be
minimized by scientifically assessing the environmental flow requirement of the
intermediate stretch not only in lean season but also in other months.
1.4.2.1 Impact on Water Resources
a) Impact of reduction in downstream flow
The construction of dam and diversion of water for power generation would lead to the
reduction in water discharge in the river stretch downstream of dam. To maintain
ecological needs and downstream requirement, environmental releases are be suggested
for monsoon, lean and other months for entire year.
b) Impact on Water Quality
Due to decrease in the discharge and change in water quality, the population of
microorganisms will be affected. Algae like Achnanthidium minutissima, which is
characteristic of fast flowing and clean river waters would be affected due to decreased
discharge. The species like Synedra ulna and Nitzschia sp. will become abundant in the
stretch between dam site and powerhouse site as these species prefer shallow waters.
The various aspects covered as a part of impact on water quality during project operation
phase are:
o Effluent from project colony
o Impacts on reservoir quality
o Eutrophication risks
1.4.2.2 Terrestrial Fauna
During project operation phase, the accessibility to the area will improve due to
construction of roads, which in turn may increase human interferences leading to marginal
adverse impacts on the terrestrial ecosystem. Since significant wildlife population is not
found in the region, no major adverse impacts are anticipated on this account.
1.4.2.3 Aquatic Ecology
a) Impacts on aquatic ecology
The proposed project will create a reservoir of 11 sq. km. The diversion structure will
change the fast flowing river to a quiescent lacustrine environment. The creation of a pond
will bring about a number of alterations in physical, abiotic and biotic parameters both in
upstream and downstream directions of the proposed dam site. The micro and macro
benthic biota is likely to be most severely affected as a result of the proposed project.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 22
b) Impacts on fisheries
This is one of the most serious impacts of hydropower projects during their operation
phase. Operation of the plant will involve diversion of water by a high dam. Reduced flows
and changed flow regime downstream will alter the aquatic ecology and change the fish
habitat altogether.
To minimize this impact, a separate study has been conducted and same has been presented in
report. It prescribes releases from dam for monsoon, lean and other months for whole year to
ensure that the intermediate stretch receive adequate flow round the year.
1.4.2.4 Impact due to peaking
Peaking operation is an integral part of hydropower projects, where during low flow period
water is stored in reservoir and used to run the plant at full capacity for limited number of
hours during the day, to match the peak demand hours based on grid requirement. During
the water storage period only minimum mandatory environment flow is released whereas
during peak power generation the entire design discharge is released in the river
downstream of powerhouse. This diurnal variation in the flow regime is considered as
significant environment impact on the downstream reach of the river especially during the
lean season or low flow period. Typically during lean season the natural flow in the river is
much lower than that of design discharge (which is close to monsoon average flow).
Downstream reach is free flowing river stretch for about 30 Km upto the tip of reservoir of
Salal HEP. This stretch will be impacted because of diurnal flow variation due to peaking
operations of Sawalkote HEP during low flow period.
To quantify the impacts of diurnal flow variation, hydro-dynamic modeling has been carried
out for about 15 km of river stretch downstream of Sawalkote HEP and simulation results
for variation in water levels and flow velocity have been calculated. The downstream reach
is represented by the river cross sections, arranged by JKSPDC. The river cross sections do
not give the bed profile; which is limiting factor to exactly calculate the water depth and
velocity at a particular location downstream of the dam. However, to understand the depth
and velocity variations these indicative results hold good.
As the impacts are more prominent in lean season, lean season discharge data is used for
the flow modeling. Based on 10-daily discharge data of 90% dependable year, average lean
season peaking is observed for about four hours; keeping this in view lean season release
and peaking discharge table is prepared and used for hydrodynamic routing using MIKE 11
model in order to get the resulting discharge series at different locations downstream of
Sawalkote HEP.
An inundation map due to this peaking has been prepared. As can be seem from the
results, diurnal depth variation is significant and is of the order of 3.45 m of minimum to
6.54 m of maximum. It is observed that river largely remain confined to the gorge in the
downstream stretch and this diurnal flow variation leading to fluctuation of water levels
will not impact habitation; however, aquatic life will be impacted. Further, velocity will
increase from a minimum of 1-2 m/s to 3-4 m/s and goes as high as 6 m/s and 8 m/s at
certain locations; this would further impact the aquatic fauna in this reach. As discussed,
during baseline, Mahseer is predominant species in this reach, which remains in the main
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 23
river during lean season. Due to diurnal flow variation and high velocity, its habitat will
shrink and remain confined to tributaries only.
1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
1.5.1 Biodiversity Conservation & Management Plan
The main objective of Biodiversity Conservation and Management Plan is sustainable use of
natural resources, which involves scientific management of natural wealth vis-à-vis
developmental activities that are likely to affect these resources. The threats to natural
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems generally arise due to construction and associated
activities like congregation of migrant labour in the project and this is compensated by
implementing conservation and management plan. The main objectives of the plan are:
a) Support to traditional governing institutions
b) Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) Plantations
c) Wildlife Management
d) Awareness and Information programmes
e) Habitat improvement
f) Monitoring and Evaluation
The estimated cost of implementation of various activities envisaged in the Biodiversity
Conservation and Management Plan would be Rs. 340.00 lakh.
1.5.2 Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan
The Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) plan highlights the management techniques to
control erosion in the catchment area of a water resource project. The life span of a
reservoir is greatly reduced due to erosion in the catchment area. Adequate preventive
measures are thus needed for the treatment of catchment for its stabilization against
future erosion.
In the present study, CAT Plan has been formulated for the free draining catchment till the
proposed dam site on Chenab river. The total area of the free draining catchment is
1307.85 sq km. The plan has been prepared as per the guidelines of Soil & Land Use Survey
of India (SLUSOI), Government of India.
The catchment area treatment involves
Understanding of the erosion characteristics of the terrain and,
Suggesting remedial measures to reduce the erosion rate.
The estimated cost of implementation of CAT plan including monitoring and evaluation is
Rs. 5929.00 lakh.
1.5.3 Fisheries Development Plan
The development plan will have to take into account the impact of other operational
hydropower projects on Chenab river and its fisheries which have already been affected by
the presence of the other projects. For this inputs from the Department of Fisheries,
Government of Jammu & Kashmir, have provided valuable information on Chenab fish and
fisheries in general and on the experiences from artificial hatching and stocking of Mahseer
in particular.
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 24
A budgetary provision of Rs.488.00 lakh has been kept for the Fishery Development and
Conservation Plan of the project.
1.5.4 Solid Waste Management
The project authority shall, within the territorial area of the project complex/ colony, be
responsible for the implementation of the provision of Solid Wastes Management.
Adequate facilities for collection, conveyance and disposal of solid waste will be developed.
Any solid waste generated in the project complex/ project colony/ labour colony, shall be
managed and handled appropriately. Various aspects of solid waste management include:
Reuse/Recycling
Storage/Segregation
Collection and Transportation
Disposal
The total budget in order to manage the solid waste generated from the construction
camp/colony, and also during operation phase has been proposed to Rs.1088.00 lakh.
1.5.5 Public Health Delivery System
Medical services at secondary level play a vital and complimentary role to the tertiary and
primary health care systems and together form a comprehensive district based health care
system. Following activities are proposed:
Six fully equipped ambulances to provide pre-hospital care.
Four first-aid posts need to be established.
As the existing medical facilities in the area are not adequate, budget provisions
have been made for strengthening existing PHC in the area.
Budget for Health Awareness/ Vaccination Camps.
Budgetary estimates for public health delivery system to be implemented for a period of
7.5 years have been worked out as Rs.962.00 lakh.
1.5.6 Energy Conservation Measures
In project area, most of the families have LPG for cooking purpose; therefore there is not
much pressure on the nearby forests for wood. However, the existing facilities will become
insufficient for supply of kitchen fuel for the migrant population during the construction of
the project. Therefore, the project authorities would make adequate arrangements such as
Community kitchen, Supply of Kitchen fuel, efficient cooking facilities and Solar Lantern.
A total grant of Rs.870.00 lakh has been assigned towards the provision of kitchen fuel, and
other facilities including establishment of community kitchen or canteens for the migrant
workers.
1.5.7 Muck Disposal Plan
The project would generate substantial quantity of muck from excavation of various
structures. The total quantity of muck likely to be generated from open excavation
including construction and widening of the roads is about 77.30 lakh cum. However after
the utilization of muck for different project components and also considering the swell
factor total estimated quantity to be disposed of is about 34.07 lakh cum. Most of the
excavated material is proposed to be dumped at 2 suitable locations identified specifically
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 25
for this purpose. Total capacity of these sites is about 48.2 lakh cum.
The estimated cost of the relocation and rehabilitation of excavated material will be
Rs.5128.00 lakh.
1.5.8 Landscaping & Restoration for Quarry & Working Areas Plan
Total requirement of rock materials for construction of various project components has
been estimated at 58 lakh m3. Due to huge requirement of construction material for the
proposed project, it was decided to utilize the excavated rock mass which will be derived
from stripping of dam abutment, powerhouse cavern, tail race tunnel, diversion tunnels,
access tunnels etc. depending upon their suitability. It is estimated that 74 lakh m3 of rock
excavation shall be carried out in the project components. Nearly 65% of this quantity (48
lakh m3) shall be utilized or project components.
The requirement of material needed from rock quarry was estimated from the difference
between the total requirement of materials and utilization of excavated rock material from
project components. Requirement of material from rock quarry is estimated to be of the
order of 10 lakh m3. The proposed quarry is located on left bank of Mandial Nala, tributary
of Chenab. The volume calculations are given as under:
The area at Section A = 16157 m2
The area at Section B = 13696 m2
Average Area = 14926 m2
Length of quarry site = 800 m
Volume = 11941200 m3
Considering 65% as useful material, maximum yield = 77.6 Lakh m3
Thus, the capacity of the quarry is sufficient to meet the balance requirement of 10 lakh m3
of rock material. Therefore the extent of quarrying shall be restricted to the actual
requirement after utilizing the available and suitable rock from excavations from project
components. Total area likely to be disturbed due to quarrying would be around 22 ha.
The landscaping and restoration plan will be implemented with help of landscaping experts
and in consultation with Jammu & Kashmir state Horticulture Department as well as
Ramban Forest Division and the coordination and funding will be provided by the project
proponent.
The estimated cost for the restoration works, landscaping of quarry areas, road side
plantations, and creation of green belt around reservoir and colonies and working sites
would be Rs.322.18 lakh.
1.5.9 Air & Water Management Plan
Various mitigation and management measures have been discussed to reduce the impacts
of air, noise and water pollution to ensure that impacts on these counts are reduced to
minimum possible during the entire construction phase.
Developer needs to ensure that all the required measures are implemented and have to set
up a team to monitor the implementation of mitigation measures. Institutional
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 26
arrangement is essential for ensuring the implementation of all the EMP components.
Therefore, an in-house dedicated team needs to be set up and budgetary provisions needs
to be kept for outsourcing services of expert organizations.
A budget of Rs. 282.50 lakh is proposed for out sourcing services for expert organization.
1.5.10 Reservoir Rim Treatment Plan
The reservoir to be formed due to impoundment by Dam with FRL at El. 695m is expected to
spread over an area of more than 1100 Ha for a length of about 30 km along the river Chenab.
The cost of various engineering measures to prevention of slope failure and treatment of
landslides, involved in reservoir rim treatment plan is Rs. 1234.00 lakh.
1.5.11 Compensatory Afforestation Plan
The Sawalkote H.E. Project is being constructed in the jurisdiction of Gandri, Banihal,
Ramban, Udhampur and Panchari forest ranges of Batote, Ramban and Mohar Forest
Divisions. The total land required for the construction of Sawalkote H.E. Project activities is
approximately 1401.35 ha with 684.15 ha of forest land; out of which 143 ha is
underground.
As per the guidelines of Forest Conservation Act, 1980 block plantation is to be taken up
two times of the above ground component of forest land diversion [541.15 ha x 2 =
1082.30 ha]. So the compensatory afforestation to be taken up on 1082.30 Ha on
forestland over degraded forest areas, it is also proposed to have avenue plantation along
the proposed roads with iron guard fencing work around the new plantation with angle
iron in the diverted land to maintain the ecological balance of the areas.
The estimated cost of Compensatory Afforestation programme is Rs. 541.15 lakh.
In addition the total cost under Net Present Value (NPV) as per the notification of Hon’ble
Supreme of India is Rs.3449.37 lakh.
1.5.12 Rehabilitation & Resettlement Plan
The Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan has been prepared to comprehensively address
the issues arising out of land acquisition, assessment of land/house/asset coming under
acquisition, estimation of extent of loss and compensation to be offered in line with The
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCT_LARR).
For the development of Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project, land would be acquired for construction
of project components, submergence area, muck dumping, quarrying, construction camps and
colony, etc. Based on the final project layout, land requirement has been finalized as 1401.35 ha.
Of which, 175.65 ha is private and remaining is forest and government land.
1477 PAFs belonging to 575 households with a total population of 3977 from 13 villages
have been identified as affected families by the project authorities and same list have been
used for socio-economic survey and preparation of R&R Plan. During the survey 28 persons
JKSPDCL Executive Summary of Sawalkote HEP
RS Envirolink Technologies Pvt. Ltd. 27
have been identified as vulnerable persons i.e. widow and disabled.
Total financial requirement for implementation of the Rehabilitation and Resettlement
plan and Local Area Development plan is Rs. 21250.00 lakh.
1.5.13 Environmental Monitoring Plan
Based on the findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment study, various
Environmental Management Plans viz. Biodiversity Conservation & Management,
Catchment Area Treatment, Fisheries Development, Solid Waste Management, Public
Health Delivery System, Energy Conservation Measures, Muck Disposal, Compensatory
Afforestation, etc. have been proposed. In order to monitor the impact and efficacy of
these plans a number of parameters have been proposed for monitoring during and after
the completion of the management plans.
A sum of Rs. 331.00 lakh has been allocated to implement various activities and
programmes envisaged under EMP.
1.5.14 Disaster Management Plan
In order to visualize the worst case scenario Dam Break Modeling exercise was undertaken
and an inundation map was prepared. Based upon the outputs generated from this
modeling, a Disaster Management Plan has been formulated. This plan presents warning
and notification procedures to be followed in case of failure or potential failure of the dam.
The purpose is to provide timely warning to the population likely to be affected and alert
key people who have to take respective actions in case of an emergency.
The estimated total cost of execution of disaster management plan including the
equipment would be Rs. 310.50 lakh.
1.5.15 Cost Estimates of EMP
An amount of Rs. 42525.55 lakh has been allocated for the implementation of different
environmental management plans. The summary of total cost estimates for the execution
of different plans is given in table below.
S. No. Management Plans Amount (Rs.in lakh)
1 Biodiversity Conservation & Management Plan 340.00 2 Catchment Area Treatment Plan 5929.00 3 Fisheries Development Plan 488.00 4 Solid Waste Management Plan 1088.00 5 Public Health Delivery System 962.00 6 Energy Conservation Measures 870.00 7 Muck Disposal Plan 5128.00 8 Landscaping and Restoration Plan 322.18 9 Air & Water Management Plan 282.50
10 Reservoir Rim Treatment 1234.00 11 Compensatory Afforestation Plan & NPV 3990.37 12 Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan 21,250.00 13 Environmental Monitoring Programme 331.00 14 Dam Break Modeling 310.50
Total* 42525.55 *Excluding the Cost of trees