E4439 V5 REV GOVERNMENT OF MIZORAM PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WIDENING TO 2-LANE, RE-ALIGNMENT AND GEOMETRIC IMPROVEMENT OF CHAMPHAI- ZOKHAWTHAR ROAD (00.000 KM to 27.247 KM) WITHIN MIZORAM STATE ROADS PROJECT II ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) 16 February 2014 STUP Consultants Pvt TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE NO CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background: Mizoram State Road Project II 1 1.2 Project Objective, Location and Scope 3 1.3 Champhai-Zokawthar Road 4 1.4 Structure of EIA Report 7 1.5 Proponent and EIA Consultant 8 CHAPTER 2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 9 2.1 Champhai-Zokawthar Road 9 2.2 Alignment 9 2.3 Width and gradient 17 2.4 Culvert and drains 18 2.5 Junction Improvement 18 2.6 Slope protection Works 18 2.7 Other Improvement Works 18 2.8 Traffic Diversion during Construction 19 2.9 Blasting 19 2.10 Cutting and Excavation 20 2.11 Construction materials and construction equipment 20 2.12 Construction workers and labour camps 21 2.13 Contractor’s camp, stockpiling material, and garage & maintenance 21 2.14 Land acquisition for the project 22 2.15 Project Cost 23 2.16 Construction Schedule 23 CHAPTER 3 Environmental legislation and Policies 32 3.1 Implementation and Regulatory Agencies 32 3.2 Key Applicable State level Laws and Regulation 34 3.3 Key Statutory Clearance Requirements 33 3.4 MORTH and IRC Specifications 37 3.5 Other Applicable Laws – Labour Laws 37 3.6 World Bank Policies 37 CHAPTER 4 METHODOLOGY 39 4.1 Influence Area 39 4.2 Literature and Secondary Data Review 39 4.3 Consultations with Stakeholders 40 4.4 Field Study 41 4.5 Impact identification, Analysis and Assessment 43 4.6 Analysis of alternatives 44 CHAPTER 5 BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCENERIO 45 5.1 Meteorological baseline 45 5.2 Natural and biophysical environment 47 5.2.1 Physiography 47 5.2.2 Soil and Erosion 48 5.2.3 Land use 49 5.2.4 Soil 51 5.2.5 Geology 51 5.2.6 Slope Stability and Landslide 51 5.2.7 Surface water 51 5.2.8 Groundwater/Hydrogeology 55 5.2.9 Flora 56 5.2.10 Biodiversity 57 5.3 Air Quality 59 5.4 Noise Quality 60 5.5 Prime Agricultural Land 61 5.6 Human Use Values 62 5.7 Cultural Environment 64 5.8 Quarries 66 5.9 Borrow area 67 CHAPTER 6 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 72 6.1 Introduction 72 6.2 Consultations during EIA 74 6.3 Environmental Issues / concerns raised during consultation 75 6.4 Consultations for identification of disposal sites and construction water 78 6.5 Perception and felt needs of the community 80 6.6 Plans for continued consultation and information dissemination 80 CHAPTER 7 ANALISYS OF ALTERNATIVES 82 7.1 Introduction 82 7.2 The alternative routes / re-alignment sections 83 7.3 Comparison of re-alignment options 83 7.4 With/without project scenario 89 7.5 Comparison of without and with project 90 CHAPTER 8 ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT 97 8.1 Background 97 8.2 Identification and assessment of Impacts 97 8.3 Natural and Bio-physical Environment 97 8.3.1 Meteorological Parameters 97 8.3.2 Physical Setting 98 8.4 Biological Environment 115 8.5 Impact on Cultural properties 117 8.6 Loss of Access 117 8.7 Road safety 118 8.8 Impacts on Common property 118 8.9 Other Social Impacts 119 8.10 Induced Impacts 119 CHAPTER 9 AVOIDANCE AND MITIGATION IMPACT 121 9.0 Introduction 121 9.1 Natural and biophysical environment 121 9.1.1 Meteorological parameters 121 9.1.2 Air 122 9.1.3 Mitigation of impacts on Water resources 123 9.1.4 Mitigation of Impacts on ground water resources 122 9.1.5 Mitigation of Impacts on drainage 126 9.1.6 Prevention of local flooding 127 9.1.7 Blasting and cutting of the hill faces 127 9.1.8 Mitigation measures during quarrying operations 128 9.1.9 Measures for control of erosion/ slope stabilization 129 9.1.10 Mitigation measures for disposal of debris/ construction spoils 129 9.1.11 Mitigation for Noise and Vibration 132 9.1.12 Flora 133 9.2 Socio Economic Environment 135 9.2.1 Loss of access 135 9.2.2 Safety during construction 135 9.2.3 Maintenance of temporary diversion 137 9.2.4 Impact on community resources 137 9.2.5 Other Social Impacts 137 9.2.65 Induced development 137 9.3 Contractor’s Responsibility 138 CHAPTER 10 INSTITUTIONAL C ARRANGEMENTS 139 10.1 Capacity assessment 139 10.2 Proposed institutional set up 139 10.3 Non-governmental organization 140 10.4 Training for capacity enhancement 141 10.5 Institutional arrangement for monitoring 142 10.6 Budget for environmental management and mitigation 144 Annexure Annexure 2.1: Road Geometry Annexure 2 .2: Drainage Design Annexure 5.1: Distribution of floral species Annexure 5.2: Ground water quality in the project area Annexure – 6.1: Minutes of stakeholder meeting on draft Environmental Screening Report (Group 1 MRSP II) Annexure 6.2: Minutes of Stakeholder Workshop on Environmental and Social Management Framework Annexure 6.3: Consultation in villages Annexure 9.1 (A) : Summary of Contractors Responsibility on Environmental Safeguards Annexure 9.1 (B): Contract Clauses related to environmental management, health and safety issues in project (FIDIC) Figures Figure 1-1 Map showing the proposed road under MSRP II Figure 1.2 Topo-sheet showing existing and proposed Champhai –Zokhawthar Road Figure 2.1 Location of Champhai – Zokhawthar road in Mizoram Figure 2.2 Village locations along the proposed road Figure 2.3 Scale of impacted area Figure 2.4Map showing 1st Re-alignment Figure 2.5 Map showing 2nd Re-alignment Figure 2.6 Map showing 3rd Re-alignment Figure 2.7 Typical cross section of formation cutting Figure 2.8Typical cross section of Pavement design Figure 2.9 Side drain detail drawing Figure 2.10 Pipe culvert detail drawing Figure 2.11 Box culvert detail drawing Figure 2.12 Junction detail drawing Figure 2.13 Retaining wall typical drawing Figure 2.14 Breast wall typical drawing Figure 2.154 Gabion wall typical drawing Figure 2.16 Toe wall typical drawing Figure 2.17 Typical drawing of earth cutting Figure 2.18: Position of the road in Lungsen Block map Figure: 5.1: Meteorological Data of Champhai Figure 5.2: Pie chart showing land uses within project influence area of proposed project corridor Figure 7.1: Diversion/Realignment – 1 Figure 7.2: Diversion/Realignment – 2 for Mualkawi Village Figure 7.3: Diversion/Realignment – 3 (Melbuk Village & Zokhawthar Village) Fig 10.1 Proposed institutional set up for EMP implementation in C-C road Map 5.1:.The land use and land cover map Map 5.2: Elevation Map of Mizoram Map 5.3: Geomorpholgy Map of Mizoram Map 5.4: Geological Map of Mizoram Map 5.5: Ground water potential Map of Mizoram Map 7.1: Project road showing Diversion / Realignment Photograph Photograph 5.1: Graveyard at Melbuk village Km16+700 Photograph 5.2: Graveyard at Km10+500 Photograph 5.3: Mangkhaia Lung in Zotlang village Photograph 6.1: Discussion with villagers in Melbuk & Zotlang Vilages Photograph 6.2: Discussion with villagers in Zokhawthar & Mualkwai Vilages Photograph 6.3 : Consultation with villagers in Melbuk village for finalization of diversion and road alignment Photograph 6.4: Stakeholder consultation workshop on EMF and SMF Photograph 6.5: Consultation with villagers for identification of potential disposal sites and water source for construction EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II CHAPTER -1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background: Mizoram State Road Project II The “seven sisters” of North eastern India are landlocked states and lag significantly behind the rest of India in terms of income and human development indicators. The State of Mizoram, bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar, is among the poorest states in India. Recognizing the need to share prosperity and promote growth in lagging states, the Government of India in its 2012 budget speech, committed to significant investments in infrastructure development and trade promotion for lagging states, including the landlocked states of the Northeast. In this context, The Government of India has requested World Bank for financing rehabilitation, widening and strengthening of State Highways and District Roads which are managed by Public Works Department (PWD) in the State of Mizoram. The proposed improvements are expected to enhance the quality of service level. In line with this request, Mizoram State Roads Project – II (MSRP II) is proposed. The proposed roads under MSRP II is shown in Figure 1.1 PWD Mizoram 1 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II G Junction NH44A (Origination) – R Chungtlang – Darlung – Buarpui O U G P R - Buarpui – Thenlum – Zawlpui O 2 U R P O Zawlpui – - A Phairuangkai 1 D Champhai – Zokhawthar R S O Lunglei - Tlabung - Kawrpuichhuah A D S Chawngte including bridge to Bungtlang South up to Multimodal Road junction Chhumkhum-Chawngte Figure 1-1 Map showing the proposed road under MSRP II PWD Mizoram 2 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II 1.2 Project Objective, Location and Scope The Mizoram State Roads Project II (MSRP-II) key objective is to improve existing road connectivity through rehabilitation, strengthening and widening efforts. Such an effort would also lead to incidental benefits of improving the quality of existing connectivity to Bangladesh and Myanmar. As part of the project preparation, about 157 km of existing road length, under Group 1 will be strengthened and upgraded, as they are already designed; and as part of project implementation, design additional 284 km of existing roads under Group 2 for upgradation. The proposed road corridors under Group 1 and 2 are given in the table 1.1 below and in figure 1.1. Table 1.1 – Proposed Project Roads under MSRP II Group -1 District(s) Length ii. Champhai – Zokhawthar Champhai 27.5 km, (E-W road to Myanmar border) iii. Chhumkhum-Chawngte Lunglei 41.53 km, (part of original N-S road alignment) Group - 2 i. Lunglei - Tlabung - Lunglei 87.9 km, (E-W road to Kawrpuichhuah Bangladesh border) ii. Junction NH44A Mamit&Lunglei 83 km (Origination) – Chungtlang – Darlung – Buarpui iii. Buarpui – Thenlum – Lunglei 95 km Zawlpui iv. Chawngte including bridge to Lawngtlai 76 km BungtlangSouth up to Multimodal Road junction v. Zawlpui – Phairuangkai Lunglei 30 km PWD Mizoram 3 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II The proposed road works involve widening and improvement of existing roads for which centre would be altered depending on the availability of Right of Way (RoW). The Group-1 road alignments have been finalised, while Group-2 corridors are identified but the feasibility of existing alignments for the proposed works would be assessed as part of project implementation activities. 1.3 Champhai –Zokhawthar Road (C-Z Road) The existing 28.0 Km long Champhai –Zokhawthar Road (C-Z Road) is one of the roads proposed under the MSRP II. The Mizoram Public Works Department has decided to upgrade the Champhai –Zokhawthar road to 2-Lane National Highway Standard. The proposed alignment will branch off from Khankawn village i.e. Km 150.0 of Seling to Champhai Road and then running towards in the East to West direction. The designed length of the road is 27.247 km including spur road of 2.53 KM length. The Champhai –Zokhawthar Road passes through villages viz; Khankawn, Zotlang, Ruantlang, Mualkawi, Melbuk & Zokhawthar. A number of villages like Ruantlang, New Hruaikawn, Tlangsam, etc are located nearby which are heavily depending on this road. This road is important lifeline for the people in the North- Eastern belt of Mizoram. At several locations, the road alignment passes through or near prime agricultural land, forest plantation, habitation etc. Map showing Champhai – Zokhawthar road is given in Fig 1-2. 1.3.1 The Objective of Champhai –Zokhawthar Road improvement The Objective of Champhai –Zokhawthar Road improvement is to improve the Champhai –Zokhawthar Road from single lane standard to 2-Lane National Highway Standard, re-alignment and geometric improvement to provide connectivity with the North Eastern belt of Mizoram. A number of villages like Ruantlang, New Hruaikawn, Tlangsam etc. are located in the area adjoining to this road. Champhai, the District Headquarter, is one of the most important commercial centers in Mizoram. It is also the seat of several State Government Department offices. Large quantities of fruits and vegetables are produced annually in the road surrounding areas. The existing road, in spite of the poor condition, remains an important lifeline for the people in the North Eastern belt of Mizoram. Improvement of the Champhai –Zokhawthar Road is PWD Mizoram 4 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II expected to contribute in improving connectivity / accessibility and facilitate trade and development in the area. Assessment of social impacts, mitigations, and management are covered in a separate report (under R&IPDP). Figure 1.2 Topo-sheet showing existing and proposed Champhai –Zokhawthar Road PWD Mizoram 5 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II 1.3.3 Requirement, basis and objective of Environmental Impact Assessment (EA) Overall, MSRP II has been categorized as environmental category “A” as per World Bank Policy. For category “A” projects a detailed EA report need to be prepared along with an Environment Management Plan. Government of India (GOI), Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) EIA Notification on Environmental Clearances (September 14, 2006) –also indicate the requirement of a detailed EIA and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for Environment Clearance for Category A and B projects 1. The EIA report has been prepared in order to meet the requirements of the World Bank Policies as well as the EIA notification GOI, MoEF. 1.3.3.1 The objectives of the EIA study are to:  Study in baseline conditions (physical, social and environmental) along the identified corridors and influence area of Champhai –Zokhawthar Road  Carry out environmental analysis with respect to proposed Champhai –Zokhawthar Road components vis-à-vis existing condition; identify environmental impacts that may be expected to occur during construction and operation; and identify environmental issue/problem that require further studies (if relevant).  Carry out alternative analysis including comparison with “no project’ scenario (with and without project comparison).  Assess Environmental Impacts of the proposed project components on natural, physical and socio economic environments  Develop cost-effective and implementable measures for mitigation of adverse environmental impacts and enhancement of positive aspects  Develop a practical and implementable Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for mitigation of impacts and monitoring of implementation of mitigation measures during construction and operation stages. 1 Category A project is cleared by the Expert Appraisal Committee or EAC constituted by MOEF and Category B by State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) constituted by MOEF at State level. PWD Mizoram 6 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II  Consult and inform the project affected parties and other stakeholders, and ensure their active participation  Advise decision-makers on the environmental issues/ implications, mitigations and implementation of the project 1.4 Structure of the EIA Report The report is organized the following: Chapter 2 Project Description gives salient features such as standards, cross sections, realignments, pavement details and proposed design features, etc. Chapter 3 discusses the Environmental legislation and Policy within which the project is set. The chapter presents the clearance requirements at various levels and their current status. Chapter 4 details out the Methodology adopted for the Environmental Impact Assessment. Chapter 5 describes the Baseline Environmental Scenario (baseline) of the existing environment along the project corridor and its area of influence. Chapter 6 gives an overview of the Community Consultation carried out during the project preparation stage. Chapter 7Analyses the Alternatives considered during the project design. Chapter 8 Assessment of Impacts identifies and assesses potential environmental impacts of the C-C Road and activity. Chapter 9 entitled Avoidance and Enhancement Measures describes mitigations and enhancement measures based on the findings of the impact assessment (chapter 8). Chapter 10 describes Implementation Arrangements. PWD Mizoram 7 EIA of Champhai- Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State Road-II 1.5 Proponent and EIA Consultant Proponent Public Works Department (PWD) of the Government of Mizoram is the proponent of the C-C Road. The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) within the PWD will be the implementing agency for the MRSP II including Champhai –Zokhawthar Road. The PIU is located in the capital of Mizoram State, Aizawl. The detailed address of the proponent is given below. Project Director , Project Implementation Unit, Chief Engineer Road’s Office, Tuikhuah Tlang Mizoram:Aizawl , Tel: 0389 -2324001;Fax: 0389-2321524 e- mail: piupwd@gmail.com, piupwd@yahoo.com EIA Consultant STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd is assigned as a consultant by PWD to carry out the EIA study as per the requirements of the World Bank Policies and Government of India requirements. The address of the consulting firm is: STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd P-11, Darga road, Park Circus, Kolkotta700017 Tel.- 033 – 40109797, 2280 7430, 22807431 E-mail: kolkata@stupmail.com Website: www.stupco.com PWD Mizoram 8 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER 2 - PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2.1 Champhai -Zokhawthar Road Champhai -Zokhawthar Road (Champhai -Zokhawthar Road) is presently single laneroad. The Champhai -Zokhawthar road is one of the important roads in the Northern Mizoram. The proposed alignment will branch off from Khankawn village i.e. Km 146.0 of Seling to Champhai Road and then running towards in the E-W direction. (Figure 2.1). The road passes through a number of villages like Khankawn (Starting point), Zotlang (3.13 KM – 4.79 KM), Mualkawi (8.00 – 9.00 KM), Melbuk (16.90 KM – 19.40 KM), Zokhawthar (23.700 KM – 24.600 KM). village location on proposed road is shown in figure 2.2. A number of villages like Ruantlang, New Hruaikawn, Tlangsam etc.are located in the area adjoining to this road. Champhai, the District Headquarter, is one of the most important commercial centre in Mizoram. It is also the seat of several state Government Department offices. Large quantities of fruits and vegetables are produced annually in the road surrounding areas. The existing road, in spite of the poor condition, remains an important lifeline for the people in the North Eastern belt of Mizoram . Scale of impacted area, categorized as 0-5 M cut height –Mild, 5-10 M cut height-moderate and above 10 M cut height as severe, is shown in figure 2.3. As seen from figure 2.3, 17% of the total length has a cut height of more than 10m, 26% of the total length has a cut height in between 5m to 10m and 57% of the total length has a cut height less than 5m. A strip map showing important environmental features within 5 Km area as buffer influence zone and 200m as core influence zone of the proposed alignment are shown in Figure 2.3(A). 2.2 Alignment The Champhai -Zokhawthar Road passes through steep and mountainous terrain. Existing length of the road is 28.0 KM. After improvement, road length will be 27.717 km including spur road of 2.53 KM. To avoid costly land acquisition and serious resettlement problems, and prime agricultural land, the existing alignment was diverted at the starting point which is located at the outskirt of Champhai town. 9 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The proposed alignment also realigned at the existing road from Km 7/64 to Km 9/20 and Km 17/05 to Km 24/30 to bye-pass the habitant and heavily built-up areas of the villages viz, Mualkawi, Melbuk & Zokhawthar to lessen land acquisition cost as well as resettlement problems. The second and third re-alignments pass through a better topographical profile and also reduces the distance between Champhai and Zokhawthar village by 2.5 KM. The reduced length would be greatly benefit in terms of vehicle operating cost and travel time. The proposed improvement in the C-Z Road (00.00 Km to 24.717 Km) is divided into following four segments. Segment I (0 – 5.0KM): Most of the stretches in this segment are cultivated land. Therefore embankment will be required to achieve the required formation width & formation level. Segment II (5.00KM – 17.00KM): This segment has steep terrain & is exposed to highly weathered rocky portion. Blasting will be required to widen the existing road except at diversion from Ch 7+760 to Ch9+150. Segment III (17.00 – 21.50 KM): This segment is also steep with highlyweathered rock.. Therefore, blasting will be required to widen the existing road to obtain the formation width, except at diversion. Segment IV (21.5 - 24.717 KM): In this segment the general topography is plain and rolling terrain & most of the stretches passing through the cultivated land. Therefore embankment will be required to achieve the required formation with & formation level. 10 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Project road Figure 2.1 Location of Champhai – Zokhawthar road in Mizoram 11 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.2 Village locations along the proposed road. CUTTING HEIGHT Cutting of height 0- 5m 57% Cutting of height Cutting of more than height 5- 10m 10m 17% 26% Cutting of height 0-5m Cutting of height 5-10m Figure 2.3 Scale of impacted area For widening, hill slope needs to be cut. The road cutting height varies widely in the hills. In C-Z Road, about 57% of the cutting is estimated to have height between 0 to 5 m, 26% between 5 to 10 m, and 17% more than 10 m. 12 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 300 m core boundary Fig 2.3 (A) C-Z road map with Project influence Area and core influence zone 13 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 2.2.1 Re-alignment: In order to avoid adverse impacts on the settlements, new construction/ re-alignments have been proposed in few sections, particularly in the sections where there are roadside settlements along the existing. About 11.99 KM will be re-aligned to avoid the acquisition of houses in the linear settlements along the road. Following are the re-alignment portion: First realignment. Re-alignment of the existing initial stretch of the Champhai – Zokhawthar road between km 0/00 – 3/00 by shifting the existing take- off point at km 150/00 to a proposed new take-off point at km 146/00 (i.e. located at outskirt of Champhai town) on Seling – Champhai road (refer map 2.3). Second realignment. It is diversion of Mualkawi village from Km 7+640 to Km 9+200 (refer map 2.4). Third realignment (Km 17+050 to Km 24+300). The proposed alignment also realigned at the existing road from Km 17+050 to Km 24+300 to bypass the habitant and heavily built-up areas of the villages Melbuk & Zokhawthar (refer map 2.5). Realignment is proposed due to the following: To reduce the cost of the land acquisition, to achieve 2-Lane National Highway Standard, to avoid Sharp Zigs, to achieve ruling gradient Map showing 1st, 2nd and 3rd re-alignment portion are shown in Figure 2.4 (A), 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 respectively. The existing road in the re-alignment section will be maintained (but not-widened) to provide access to the settlement as demanded by the people. PWD Mizoram 14 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.4(A): Map showing the alignment of Champhai –Zokhawthar road and realignments PWD Mizoram 15 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.4 Map showing 1st Re-alignment (0.00 – 3.00 KM) Figure 2.5 Map showing 2nd Re-alignment (Km 7+640 to Km 9+200) PWD Mizoram 16 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.6 Map showing 3rd Re-alignment ((Km 17+050 to Km 24+300) 2.3 Width and gradient 2.3.1 Width A lower standard road, typically about 5 - 5.2 m wide, (categorized by PWD as other district road – MDR) already exist. This will be improved to two-lane highway standard (roadway width of 12 m – comprising 2-lane carriageway width of 7m and shoulders of 2.5 m on either side of the carriageway). Drawing details of formation cutting and pavement design is shown in Figure 2.7 and 2.8 respectively. Upgrading of the proposed road will be undertaken mostly on hill side (approximately 15 m from the centreline on the hill side and 9 m on valley side. 2.3.2 Gradient Highway will require gentler gradient. Hence, improvement also includes gradient improvement. The project will maintain a ruling gradient of less than 5.0% with the maximum gradient being 7.2% at few selected stretch. Road geometry, pavement composition and shoulder design is given in Annexure 2.1. PWD Mizoram 17 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 2.4 Culverts and drains. The road crosses several rivulets, small streams, depressions where cross drainages structures are required. Road’s technical report estimates 112 pipe culverts and 35 box culverts. There is 1 minor bridge (along the spur road), roadside drains, altogether about 32.22 km, will be constructed. Outfalls of the roadside drains are located at several points along the road, many roadside drains discharge into the natural water channel/stream. Typical drawing details of road side drains, pipe and box culverts are shown in Figure 2.9, 2.10, 2.11 respectively. Detail drainage write-up is given in annexure 2.2. 2.5 Junction improvement. Eight Junctions along the proposed alignment are proposed for improvement. Junctions’ improvement like widening, black topping and grade improvement has been proposed. A typical drawing for junction improvement is shown in Figure2.12. 2.6 Slope protection works. The proposed slope protection works at various locations include retaining walls (about 1.31km, 3 to 6 m high), breast wall (about 1.14 km, 2 to 3 m high), gabion-wall (about 43.12 km, 2 to 3 m high), and toe wall (about 1.26 km, 2 to 3 m high). Typical design of slope protection works are shown in Figure 2.13 to 2.16. 2.7 Other improvement works Road and traffic sign, markings and furniture: The proposed improvement includes provisions of mandatory / regulatory signs, cautionary / warning signs, and information signs as well as traffic safety posts and parapet walls. Roadside Amenities: The proposal also includes provision of- one (1) public toilet, five (5) public urinals, five (5) bus-shed, and five (5) Bazar-shed. PWD Mizoram 18 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Road stretches crossing towns and villages will be provided with covered drains, sidewalks and parking. It is expected that most of the construction works will take place within approximately 15 m from the centerline on the hill side and 9 m on valley side. Detail location of road side amenities is shown below: Table 2-1 Location of road side amenities Sr.No. Description Nos. Location 1 Public Toilet 1 Ch 0.00 2 Public Urinal 5 Ch4120, Ch4950, Ch10580, Ch11800 & Ch12800 3 Bus Shed 5 Ch9000, Ch10580, Ch11800, Ch12800 & Ch.19700, 4 Bazar Shed 5 Ch 0.00,Ch 3250,Ch 7460,Ch Ch 16920 & Ch 24370 2.8 Traffic diversion during construction Traffic diversions are necessary from the existing road in the following stretches during construction:  Design Chainage 7.500 – 7.800  Design Chainage 9.100 – 9.250  Design Chainage 16.900 – 17.150  Design Chainage 24.200-24.700 2.9 Blasting Geological and geo- technical investigation indicate the fact that during widening of the road proposed road alignment will pass through hard rock area from Km 7+050 to Km 7+150, Km 7+300 to Km 7+600, Km 10+100 to Km 10+740, Km 11+ 430 to Km 11+50, Km 12+800 to Km 13+200, Km 15+450 to Km 16+200, Km 18+500 to Km 19+000,Km PWD Mizoram 19 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 20+550 to Km 21+2400, Km 22+900 to Km 23+400. To widen the road in this stretch need blasting. Provision will be made in the contract that all blasting will be controlled blasting and Environment Health and Safety Guideline provided in the EMP will be implemented. 2.10 Cutting and excavation Widening and other improvement works requires cutting of slopes and excavations. Length of cut slope varies from 0.65 m to 22.7 m. About 77.74% of the work goes to cutting of hill and 22.25 % are embankment. It has been estimated that about 2.62 million M3 of spoil will be generated due to cutting. Out of 2.62 million m3, 257060M3 i.e. 9.8% will be disposed at the proposed disposal sites, 213979m3 i.e. 8.18% for embankment, 43083m3 i.e.1.64% for sub-grade preparation and 70458 M3 at football playgrounds for construction/renovation by dumping the earth debris. Typical drawing of earth cutting is shown in Figure 2.17. 2.11 Construction materials and construction equipment 2.11.1 Local construction material Sand, gravel, cobbles, pebbles, and rocks will be obtained from local places including from local rivers or streams. The amount locally available construction materials needed for the proposed improvements are estimated as follows;  Sand: 7480 m3  Aggregates (Pebble/cobbles/ rocks): 182868 cu.m 2.11.2 Quarry Construction materials for GSB, WMM, DBM ,BC, Cross drainage & Masonry R/Wall etc. works, will be available at Patea (Champhai), Pa Zualtea (Zotlang) , Zarzoliana , Tuichang, C.Malsawma Khawzawl quarry and from the nearby rivers/ streams. 2.11.3 Crushing: Crushing of GSB materials will be done with Stone Crushers. PWD Mizoram 20 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 2.11.4 Bitumen, Cement, Aggregate, sand, hume pipe and Steel Quantity of bitumen, aggregates, sand, cement, steel and hume pipe needed in the proposed works are estimated as follows:  Bitumen: 2115 Mt  Cement: 337.25 Mt  Steel: 47.99 Mt  Aggregate: 44775 Mt  Sand: 2003 Mt  Hume pipe: 56.24 Mt Bitumen, cement, steel will be brought from outside the state (mostly from Assam). 2.11.5 Bitumen heating Heating of bitumen shall be done by using Hot-mix Plant. 2.11.6 Construction Equipment Heavy Machineries like Bull dozers, Excavators, Loaders, Air compressors, Vibratory / Static Road Rollers, Wet-mix plants, Electric generator sets, Motor Graders, Tractor– Rotavators, Hot/batch-mix plants, Paver-finishers, etc. as required for the execution of the work will be used for various construction works. 2.12 Constructor Workers and labour camps The estimated number of labours skilled and unskilled labour during peak construction period is 150 and 400 respectively. Labour camps may be established at Zotlang, Mualkawi, melbuk, and New Hruaikawn. Villages 2.13 Contractor’s camp, stockpiling of materials, and garage & maintenance yard As mentioned in section 2.12, the area and location of Contractor’s camp, stockpiling of materials and garage with yard maintenance is given below: Table 2.2 Area and location of proposed labourcamps PWD Mizoram 21 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II S.no. Name of Location from Area Remarks made by the PIU Team village for village/proposed proposed alignment camp site 1 Zotlang 1.2 Km from 3.6 2 Ha. The proposed camp site is quite Km chainage of appropriate as the site is neither too the alignment.. far from the alignment nor the village. The site can hold not only for the contraction’s camp but also stockpiling of construction materials and sufficient parking space. The water requirement for the camping may be harvested from the natural spring located in the vicinity of the camp site area 2 Zokhawthar 2.5 Km from 2.5 Ha The proposed camp site is quite Zokhawthar appropriate as the site is neither too village. far from the alignment nor the village. The site can hold not only for the contraction’s camp but also stockpiling of construction materials and sufficient parking space. Water requirement for the camp will be harvested from Lunglohtui, which is located at 0.7 Km from the camp site proposed. 3 Mualkawi 0.9 Km from the 3 Ha Since it is located along the proposed proposed alignment, the idle time for going to alignment the work site may be considerably reduced. Water required can be obtained from Dam Tuikhur which is 0.8 Km from the camp site. 4 Melbuk 100m away from 3.5 Ha Since it is located along the proposed the proposed alignment, the idle time for going to alignment. the work site may be considerably reduced. The water required for construction of road and labour camp will be harvested from the water point located at 16.900 Km which is 200 m from Melbuk village.. 2.14 Land acquisition for the project The improvement of C-Z Road, particularly widening and re-alignment, requires additional land beyond the current right of way. The Resettlement Action Plan and PWD Mizoram 22 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Indigenous peoples Development Plan for C-Z Road gives details of the land requirements, and ownership. About 230m of the alignment (Km 9+300 to 9+530) is passing through forest plantation area and about 0.28 ha of forest land need to be acquired for widening of the road. 2.15 Project cost: The total Project cost for Civil construction works and other allied charges is Rs. 183.40 crores and the details of cost breakup is given in the general abstract of cost in the DPR. 2.16 Construction schedule The proposed construction schedule is as follows IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE (ROADS) From Date of Start MONTHS ACTIVITY 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 MOBILISATION SC FC SP CD GSB WBM WC MC SC = Site Clearance WMM = Wet Mix Macadam CD = Cross Drainage Work WC = Wearing Coat FC = Formation Cutting MC = Miscellaneous GSB = Granular Sub Base SP = Slope protection work BR = Bridge work PWD Mizoram 23 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.7 Typical cross section of formation cutting Figure 2.8 Typical cross section of Pavement design. PWD Mizoram 24 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.9 side drain detail drawing. PWD Mizoram 25 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.10 Pipe culvert detail drawing Figure 2.11 Box culvert detail drawing. PWD Mizoram 26 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.12 Junction detail drawing PWD Mizoram 27 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.13 Retaining wall typical drawing. Figure 2.14 Breast wall typical drawing. Figure 2.15 Gabion wall typical drawing. Figure 2.16 Toe wall typical drawing PWD Mizoram 28 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.17 Typical drawing of earth cutting PWD Mizoram 29 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.18: Position of the road in Lungsen Block map PWD Mizoram 30 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 2.19: Location of the proposed road in Khawzawl RD Block PWD Mizoram 31 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER 3 - ENVIRONNEMENTAL LEGISLATION AND POLICIES This section is provided as a reminder that all activities under the proposed project must be consistent with all applicable laws, regulations, notifications that are relevant in the context of the proposed project interventions. It is the responsibility of the various Project Implementing Entities to ensure that proposed activities are consistent with the regulatory/legal framework, whether national, state or municipal/local. Additionally, it is also to be ensured that activities are consistent with World Bank’s operational policies and guidelines. 3.1 Implementation and Regulatory Agencies The Mizoram Public Works Department (MPWD) is the nodal agency for project preparation and implementation of MSRP –II. Various other agencies are indirectly involved in regulation of activities under the project through statutes/laws governing them. The agencies involved, their role in the project is presented in the Table 3-1. The following table provides a summary of select applicable laws, rules and regulation which have a bearing on the proposed project. Table 3-1 Environnemental Legislation Applicable to the Proposed Project Road Responsible Act Year Objective Institution Environment (Protection) 1986 To protect and improve the overall MoEF, CPCB Act. environment Notification on 2006 To provide environmental MoEF, Environment Impact clearance to new development 2009 Assessment of activities following environmental Development projects (and 2010 impact assessment amendments) (referred to as the Notification on 2013 Environmental Clearance) Wildlife Protection Act 1972 To protect wild animals and birds MoEF through the creation of National Parks and Sanctuaries Water (Prevention and 1974 To provide for the prevention and CPCB Control of Pollution) Act control of water pollution and the (and subsequent maintaining or restoring of amendments) wholesomeness of water. PWD Mizoram 32 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Responsible Act Year Objective Institution Air (Prevention and 1981 To provide for the prevention, CPCB and Road Control of Pollution) Act control and abatement of air Authorities (and subsequent pollution, and for the amendments) establishment of Boards to carry out these purposes. Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 To protect and manage forests MoEF Central Motor Vehicle Act 1988 To control vehicular air and noise State Transport pollution. To regulate Department Central Motor Vehicle 1989 development of the transport Rules sector. Ancient Monuments and 1958 Conservation of Cultural and Archaeological Archaeological Sites and historical remains found in India. Dept. GOI and Remains Act Govt. of Mizoram The Land Acquisition Act 1894 & Set out rule for acquisition of land Land and Revenue 1989 by Government. Dept.GOI Noise Pollution 2001 Noise pollution regulation and MOEF/CPCB (Regulation and Control) controls rules 2000 1971 Sustainable utilization of wetlands MOEF/SPCB/ state Ramsar Convention on and conservation of wetlands fishery dept. Wetlands of International Importance 3.2 Key Applicable State level Laws and Regulation The state level legislation in the environment and Social sectors of relevance to the projects are – Environmental conservation and protection.  Assam Forest Regulation of 1891.  The Mizoram (Forest) Act, 1955 (as passed by Mizo District Council).  The Pawi Autonomous District Council (Forests) Act, 1979.  The Lakher Autonomous District Council (Forests) Act, 1981.  The Chakma Autonomous District Council (Forests) Act, 1992.  Mizoram Wildlife (Protection) Rules, 1990. PWD Mizoram 33 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Quarrying and Blasting Mizoram Minor Minerals Concession Rules 2000 Land and Revenue Administration  The Liushai Hill Districts (House Site) Act 1953;  The Mizo District (Land & Revenue) Acts, 1956;  The Mizo District (land & Revenue) Rules, 1967;  The Mizo District (Agricultural Land) Act, 1963;  The Mizo District (Agricultural Land) Rules, 1971, and;  The Mizo District (Transfer of Land) Acts, 1963. 3.3 Key Statutory Clearance Requirements 3.3.1 GoI Requirements Environment Clearance EIA Notification on Environmental Clearances (September 14, 2006) -According to this, latest gazette2 notification, there are two categories of projects via, Category A and Category B. Category A project is cleared by the Ministry of Environment and forests at central level (Expert Appraisal Committee or EAC constituted by MOEF)) and the category B project will be cleared by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) constituted by MOEF at State level. As this project is a State Highway projects and State Highway expansion projects in hilly terrain above 1,000m MSL and within 10 km of international boarder, hence this will be categorised as Category A Project and require Environmental Clearance from Expert Appraisal Committee or EAC constituted by MOEF (Sources: Gazette Notification, GOI dated 14th November1, 2009) 2 Refer EIA notification 2006 and its amendment in 2009 and 2013 PWD Mizoram 34 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 3.3.1.2 Forest Clearance As per Forest (Conservation) Act 1980- diversion of any amount of forest land for non-forest purpose and cutting of trees need prior clearance from State Forest Department and GOI forest department depending on the size of the land needed for diversion as given below Forest area Forest clearance authority Forest area< 1 ha. State PCCF Forest area up to 5 ha. State PCCF with approval from Regional MOEF office Forest area 5 ha. to 40 ha. Regional MOEF office Forest area > 40 ha. MOEF ,GOI Only 230m of the alignment (Km 9+300 to 9+530) is passing through forest plantation area and about 0.28 ha of forest land need to be acquired for widening of the road. Hence, forest clearance from State PCCF office is needed. 3.3.1.3 Current Status of Clearance: The current status of Clearance for the proposed construction of C-Z road is: Forest Clearance: Forest Clearance for diversion of 0.28 ha of Forest land for non-forest purpose for upgradation of C-Z road has been issued by Principal Chief Consevator of Forest on 22nd January 2014. Environmental Clearance: For environmental clearance from MUEF is required for C-Z Road. For this purpose, Form-1 and TOR has been approved by MOEF and Sate Pollution Control Board according to which draft EIA and EMP has been prepared. On 17th January 2014, Mizoram Pollution Control Board organized public hearing at at Champhai on the findings of draft EIA and EMP of C-Z Road. The Mizoram Pollution Control Board, on 27th January 2014, has submitted Minutes of the public hearing meeting along with video and photographs to MOEF Government of India for processing environment clearance. PIU plans to submit the draft EIA and EMP to MOEF on 4 February 2014 PWD Mizoram 35 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 3.3.2 Clearance during Construction Stage During the construction stage, some of the key statutory requirements that need to be obtained by the Contractor as part of mobilization have been listed in the table given below. Table 3.2 Key Statutory Clearances to be obtained by the Contractor S.No. Clearance Required for Statute under which Statutory clearance is required Authority 1 Hot mix plants, Crushers Air (Prevention and Control of State Pollution and Batch Mix Plants Pollution) Act, 1981 and Noise Control Board Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 Hazardous Waste (Management and Storage, handling and Handling) Rules, 1989 and State Pollution 2 transport of hazardous Manufacturing, Storage and Import Control Board materials of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 Environment Protection Act, 1986 Location/ layout of and Manufacturing, Storage and State Pollution 3 workers camp, equipment Import of Hazardous Chemicals Control Board and storage yards Rules, 1989 Dept. of Mining; Quarries (in case of 4 Environment Protection Act, 1986 Concerned District opening of new quarries) Administration Discharges from Labor Camp Water (Prevention and Control of State Pollution 5 Pollution) Act, 1974 Control Board Permission for withdrawal State Ground 6 of groundwater for Environment Protection Act, 1986 Water Board construction Irrigation Permission for sand Department; 7 Environment Protection Act, 1986 mining from river bed Concerned District Administration Disposal of bituminous Hazardous Waste (Management and As per state norm/ 8 wastes Handling) Rules, 1989 Local Civic Body PWD Mizoram 36 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 3.4 MORTH and IRC Specifications The MORTH specifications have special provisions towards protection of environment under Clause 501, Annexure A and the contractor is to satisfy the provisions. Apart from the Annexure A to clause 501, there are provisions for control of erosion, drainage, dust suppression, borrow area and haul road management under relevant sections. 3.5 Other Applicable Laws and Technical Guidelines The contractor will be required complying with following laws and guidelines of the land:  Workmen's Compensation Act 1923  Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970  Minimum Wages Act, 1948  Payment of Wages Act, 1936  Equal Remuneration Act, 1979  Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986  Inter-State Migrant Workmen’s (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979  The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and the Cess Act of 1996  The Factories Act, 1948  Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989  Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996  IS: 5182-1977 - the methods of measuring air pollution  IS: 3028-1980 for measurement of noise emitted by moving road vehicles;  IS: 4758-1968 for measurement of noise emitted by machines;  IS: 10399-1982 for measurement of noise emitted by stationary road vehicles  IRC: SP: 21-1979 - Manual on Landscaping of roads and its subsequent revised versions 3.6 World Bank Policies Following World Bank’s environmental safeguard policies are applicable in the proposed PWD Mizoram 37 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Champhai – Zokhawthar (C-Z) Road up-gradation. Environmental Assessment OP 4.01: The upgrading works in C-Z Road is likely to have significant adverse environmental impacts in its area of influence: these includes slope instabilities/ landslides & soil erosion/ hill slopes, air (dust)/ water/ noise (vibration) and land pollutions, loss/degradation of trees/ vegetation, workers & community health and safety etc. Environmental Management Plan (EMP) provides mitigation measures. Natural Habitats OP 4.04: The C-Z Road’s influence area is rich in bio-diversity. The policy is applicable as the proposed alignment passes through 48 ha virgin agriculture land required for diversion , about 4.3 km has been proposed along the River Tiau and 2 km road through Champhai valley land. Even though the proposed alignment does not pass through any critical natural habitat area but the upgrading works and operational phase activities may lead to adverse impact. Precautionary measures to avoid any impacts are incorporated into EMP. Forestry OP 4.36: About 0.28 ha of forest land (forest plantation area) will be converted into non-forest (road widening and improvement). There are village council forests near/ within the project influence area. Compensatory plantation will be carried out. Activities that may degrade forest quality will be controlled. These are included in the EMP. Physical Cultural Resources (OP 4.11): There are cultural properties like church, graveyards and memorial stones in close proximity to the C-Z Road. EMP includes measures to avoid, mitigate and control adverse impacts on the PCRs. IFC WBG Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Guidelines: The EHS Guidelines has elaborate provisions regarding environmental, occupational health and safety, and community health and safety. The community and workers environment Health safety provisions in terms of protection measures, relevant to the Champhai to Zokhawthar road upgradation works have been included in the EMP as well as in the bidding documents together with relevant national requirements. As EMP is part of the contract document, hence EHS guidelines will be implemented during project implementation. PWD Mizoram 38 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER-4 –METHODOLOGY The environmental assessment in this project employed an iterative approach in which potential environmental issues have been examined in successive levels of detail and specify at each step in the process. This chapter presents the methodology adopted for the EIA preparation for the Champhai – Zokhawthar Road. Methodology for assessment of social impacts is dealt with in the R&IPDP. 4.1 Influence area. Consultation with Block Development Officer of Khazawl and Champhai , District collector of Champhai reveal the fact that up-gradation of Champhai – Zokhawthar (C-Z) road will improve the quality of life of the people living in the villages within 5 km radius of the road. This will also influence the economic growth in the villages within 5 km on both side of the road. Discussion with the PIU and Social team of the project provided the same information on economic area of influence. Discussion with PWD road division on existing road network and future master plan for road development in the region (Champhai district) indicate the fact that most of the important link road3 which link the C-Z road are within 5 km radius of the road considered for up-gradation. Considering all the above fact and on suggestion of State Pollution control Board and Ministry of Environment and Forest ,Government of India , influence area of the proposed upgrading of C- Z road has been defined as 5 (five) kilometers on both side of the road. Most of the impacts are likely to occur in a narrower corridor defined as about 100 m towards hill side and 200 m on the valley (a tentative width of about 300 m along the road) and this is called Core Influence Zone (CIZ). Actual CIZ may vary from issue to issue and site to site. 4.2 Literature and Secondary Data Review The available published literature, documents and maps (e.g. topographic, geological maps, forest, satellite imagery, Google image maps etc) related to the Champhai – Zokhawthar 3 Champhai - Khazawl and Indo – Myanmar road PWD Mizoram 39 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Road influence area was reviewed. The existing policies, legislations, guidelines and manuals related to the road and environment in India and World Bank's policies and guidelines were also reviewed. Apart from the above, the EIA Screening documents, and the Detailed Project Report (DPR) were thoroughly reviewed. 4.2.1 Satellite imagery The satellite data products that is used for thematic mapping are Geo-referenced and rectified mosaic of LISS-IV MX image. The geo-referenced and rectified satellite imagery is displayed as a raster in ArcGIS, with the project road buffered at 5 km boundaries as a vector overlay, the 2D based visual or onscreen interpretation is limited to the area inside the buffered boundary. The land use and land cover map is prepared using RESOURCESAT LISS IV satellite data. All the Land Use / Land Cover classes were visually interpreted based on tone/ texture, contextual and ground information. 4.3 Consultations with Stakeholders Series of discussions and consultations were carried out with the Champhai – Zokhawthar Road Technical consultant to understand the upgrading details e.g. re-alignment, widening, design aspects, project construction and operation modalities, concentration of activities in the different periods of project construction and operation, etc. Design merits and demerits of the various alternative options of project development and operation were also discussed. Discussions were carried out with people living in the neighborhood of the Champhai – Zokhawthar Road, NGOs and Village Councils, District Forest Office etc during Screening, EIA and social assessment. Dates, places and group with whom Focused Group Discussion (FGD) was held during EIA are described in Chapter 6. Formal consultations were carried out as follows: Table 4.1: Date and place of Focused Group Discussion. Date Place Group with whom FGD was held. 27.12.2013 Melbuk village Village Council Members, YMA Office Bearer, PAPs, MHIP leaders. PWD Mizoram 40 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 28.12.2013 Mualkawi Village Council Members, YMA Office Bearer. 17.12.2013 Lalnutui Village Council Members, YMA Office Bearer, PAPs, MHIP leaders. 28.12.2013 Zotlang Village Council Members, YMA Office Bearer, PAPs, MHIP leaders. 28.12.2013 Zokhawthar Village Council Members, YMA Office Bearer, PAPs, MHIP leaders. 29.12.2013 Champhai Village Council Members, YMA Office Bearer, PAPs, MHIP leaders. Comments, feedbacks and suggestions from the above consultations are summarized in table 6.1 and annexure 6.3. 4.4 Field Study During EIA, the field investigation was carried out by a multidisciplinary team, which comprised of the following experts:  Air quality monitoring expert  Water quality expert  Ecology and biodiversity expert  Noise and vibration expert  Socioeconomic and R&R expert  Hydrology and Ground water expert  Geologist  Land use remote sensing and GIS expert  Soil expert  Highway Engineer The team was supported by Team of Environment Cell, PIU Office, Aizawl, Mizoram and Team of Design Consultant: CM ENGINEERING & SOLUTION, Gurgaon, Haryana. PWD Mizoram 41 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Field survey of environmental condition was carried out during August 2013 to October 2013 to collect the baseline information. The study team carried out site visit in the following places: Champhai, Melbuk village, Mualkawi, Lalnutui, Zotlang and Zokhawthar The required baseline information on physical and biological environment of direct and indirect impact areas of the C-Z Road upgrading were collected during the site visit. The information on different environmental components was collected by using the following tools: 4.4.1 Physical Environment Status of land use patterns, topography and soil erosion was collected through direct observation and field mapping. The methods employed for collection of data on physic- chemical characteristics of ambient environment (air, water, soil noise) . The slope stability and landslides, and fan deposits within the influence area were studied through site observation and on-site delineation in maps. Data collection: Following approach were used in collecting data from the field. Air - Ambient air quality data was collected along the up-gradation corridor by the consultant through Mizoram Environment Consultant , a unit of Zirtiri Science college under Mizoram University and recognized by Mizoram State Pollution Control Board. Noise – Noise levels along the C-C Raod were monitored at 10 locations by using a portable noise meter (LUTRON MSL 4001) by the consultant through the said agency . Water – Water samples were collected from stagnant and flowing water bodies along the corridor to assess the present water quality. Tests for physico-chemical and biological characteristics were carried out and the results have been recorded to establish baseline conditions. Four groundwater samples was collected and analysis was carried out by the consultant through the said agency as per procedure of APHA and results compared with the Indian drinking water Standard (BIS 10500). 4.4.2 Geomorphology – A detailed geo-morphological assessment has been carried out along the route to identify vulnerable locations and inventory weak zones. PWD Mizoram 42 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 4.4.3 Biological Environment (i) Forest and Vegetation: Composition, distribution patterns and characteristics of vegetation and forest types and sensitive habitat in the project area were assessed from direct field observations, quadrate sampling, transect walk survey, photography, maps, interaction with village councils, and collection of information from district forest offices. The type of forests and management practices around the project area were studied and identified. The total area of the affected forest and vegetation were quantified during the field survey. Tree and shrub densities were estimated using the line transact method, with each longitudinal traverse measuring a distance of 100 m, with 10 replicate samples each section (for tree species 10m X 10m spacing of 20 quadrate has been laid, and for Shrubs species 5m X 5m spacing of 20 quadrate was laid). (ii) Bio-diversity assessment (including medicinal plants, protected & endangered species): Species-richness, densities of ground flora was estimated with the help of 1 m2 quadrates, with 20 replicate samples in each 2 km section of the corridor. “Biodiversity rich” regions due to the presence of important floral species were also identified and discussed in Chapter 5 of this report A biodiversity assessment has been carried out by the consultant with the help of Mizoram Environment Consultant, a unit of Zirtiri Science College under Mizoram University and was assisted by the Environmental Team of PIU Office, Team of Design Consultant, NGOs and local people. Apart from the above information, discussions were carried out with local communities to fill the gaps in thus collected information such as history of forest cover, bio-diversity, flooding events, landslide events and locations and land degradation process among others. 4.5 Impact Identification, Analysis and Assessment After the full documentation of the baseline environmental situation, each of the environmental aspects was examined against the road upgrading component and activities. Each of the direct and indirect impacts was further evaluated in terms of its magnitude, extent, severity, temporal aspects and sensitivity to determine significance. PWD Mizoram 43 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Environmental issues have been assessed to describe the potential impacts that may result from road upgrading and construction. The assessment of impacts was carried out for all the three stages: design, construction and operation. Quantification has been difficult in light of the limited availability of data. Findings of the impact identification, analysis and assessment fed into:  Formulation of specific mitigations and enhancement measures;  Preparation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). 4.6 Analysis of alternatives As part of alternative analysis, comparisons were made among different alternatives of re- alignments, as well as comparison of selected option with “no project” option in terms of environmental, social and technical parameters. Chapter 7 contains details of the alternative analysis. PWD Mizoram 44 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER-5: BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL SCENARIO This chapter assesses the nature, type and dimensions of the study area with specific focus on the project roads and their relevant physical and biological environmental components. 5.1 METEOROLOGICAL BASELINE 5.1.1 Climate Project influence area has a typical tropical climate whereas in the mid-region, sub- tropical moist climate prevails. In the upper reaches, temperate climate is experienced. On the whole, the area has a pleasant climate. The summers are generally warm and wet, but winters are cool and dry. Three seasons may be recognised in the state, viz: Winter extending from November to February Summer from March to May Rainy season from June to October 5.1.2 Temperature and humidity: The temperature ranging from 8°C to 28°C with moderate Humidity varies from 70 to 85%. Relative humidity in the dry season is 50 –70% and in the monsoon period is about 90%. During southwest monsoon, February to April is comparatively dry when humidity is between 60 –70%. 5.1.3 Rainfall: The average annual rainfall for the year 2013 is about 2590 mm (most of it occurs during rainy season of June to October). Pre monsoon rains occur during March to till mid-May, whereas regular monsoon commences from June till October. The annual average rainfall of eastern belt of Mizoram, recorded by Science and Technology Department, Government of Mizoram for the last five years is shown below. Table 5-1 Annual average rainfall in Champhai S.No. Year Rainfall Magnitude (mm) 1 2009 2310 2 2010 2850 3 2011 2540 4 2012 2780 5 2013 2590 45 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Wind speed. Average wind speed during site visit around 12.2km/hr and the Sunshine duration about <10 hours during August 2013. Monthly meteorological data of Champhai for the year 2013 is shown in figure 5.1 below Figure: 5.1: Meteorological Data of Champhai (Temperature, Rain fall, Relative humidity and Wind direction ) (Source: The Meteorological Data of Mizoram for the Year 2012, StatisticalHandbookofMizoram, Directorate of Economics & Statistics, Aizawl (2012) (Source: Windrose Diagram adapted from Pavanaarekh - free online plotting windrose diagram.) 46 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Table 5.2: Sun Shine duration, Rain Fall and Temperature during August 2013 Sl No. Location Sunshine Rain Fall Temperature Cloud Cover Duration (mm) oC during Site (August visit Sunrise Sunset 2013) Online weather Data Min Max 1 Champhai 05:34 04:48 0 21 23 90% fog 2 Zotlang 05:55 04:50 0 19 22 >60 % 3 Mualkawi 05:39 03:30 0 19 23 >65% Day time Clea 4 Melbuk 05:33 04:16 0 16 22 Day time r 5 Zokhawthar 05:45 04:18 0 18 21 >20 % Day cloudy Partly time 5.2 NATURAL AND BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 5.2.1 Physiography In general the topography of Mizoram is largely immature except for the eastern part. There are N-S trending mostly anticlinal strike ridges with steep slopes and narrow intervening synclinal valleys and series of parallel hummocks or topographic highs. The Champhai area is formed by medium structural hills along the ridges which runs from Chhawrtui to Pawlsang Village, and low structural hills in the western side of the ridge with many streams and rivulets. The streams are mostly ephemeral in nature. (Refer map 5.2 and 5.3). The alignment of the project road passes through mountainous and steep terrain exceeding 30 % ground slope across the alignment. The height of the road at various locations varies from 1350 m near take off point to 700.00 m River Tiau above mean sea level (MSL) (Refer table 5.2). Within the 5 KM area of the proposed project corridor, Champhai is the highest point (altitude is 1665m) located at chainage 0.00 KM along the existing alignment. The other landforms of the proposed project corridor such as dissected ridges with deep gorges are found in chainage -  Within Khankawn village area: O.3km, O.7km, 0.86km, 1.28km, 1.98km,  Within Zotlang village area: 2.48km, 3.00km, 3.63km, 3.7km, 4.1km, 4.34km, 4.55km, 4.72km, 5.0km, 5.75km, 6.16km, 6.6km, 6.67km, 47 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Within Mualkawi village area: 7.04km, 7.28km, 7.59km, 7.9km, 8.3km, 9.0km, 9.67km,11.03km, 11.70km, 11.87km, 12.0km, 13.5km, 13.83km, 14.13km, 14.35km, 14.83km, 14.97km, 15.64km, 16.46km,  Within Melbuk village area: 16.91km, 17.15km, 17.33, 17.76km, 17.88km, 18.27km, 18.48km, 19.07km, 19.27km, 19.6km, 19.89km, 20.3km, 21.6km, 21.96km,  Within Zokhawthar village area: 22.64km, 23.52km, 23.93km, 24.14km, 24.5km, 24.68km, Faulting in many areas of the above mentioned chainages has produced gentle fault scarps. Fluvial processes coupled with mass wasting are the main agents for development of the diverse landform of the region. 5.2.2 Soil and erosion The Champhai to Zokhawthar road influence area is highly susceptible to erosion and rain induced landslides events during rainy season due to loose sedimentary rock, with high porosity and permeability. Weak soil, vegetation loss, and construction activities make the area susceptible to erosion during monsoon rains. Following are the zones with high risks of soil erosion along the Core Influence Zone of the Champhai to Zokhawthar Roads: (i) CIZ – I (0.00 KM to 4 KM i.e. 4 KM length): The topography of CIZ – I is a steep terrain on hill side and mountainous to rolling terrain on valley side .Few stretches are exposed weathered disintegrated rock. To obtain the required formation width of 12.0 m wide, blasting operation will be required. 30% of the area is wet land rice cultivation, in which 72% of plant growth is rice, only few shrubs and herbs are available. About 50% of soil is stabilized soil and another 10% is highly susceptible eroded soil. About 90% of soil is stabilized soil and another 10% is highly susceptible to erosion, this is due to unplanned agriculture practice which keep the soil exposed and unused. Which can be controlled by plantation on hill side and valley side slopes as discussed in EMP. (ii) CIZ – II (5.1 KM to 9.4KM i.e. 4.3KM length): The topography of CIZ – II is again steep terrain on hill side and mountainous to rolling terrain on valley side. To obtain the required formation width of 12 m wide, blasting will be required at from 48 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 7.6 km to 7.8 km and 6.8 km – 8.75km. From Km 7.6400 to Km 9.2, the land is exposed with weathered disintegrated rock and very steep terrain. Within the CIZ –II, a few exposed rocky portions with seepage of water from the hill sides are found on existing road. 65% of the plant growth is trees, only few shrubs and herbs are available. About 85% of soil is porous Sandy loam. (ii) CIZ – III (15.65 KM to 16.48KM i.e. 0.83KM length): The topography of CIZ – III is again steep terrain on hill side and mountainous to rolling terrain on valley side. To obtain the required formation width of 12 m wide, blasting will be required at, from 15.65 km to 15.8 km. From Km 15.65 onwards the land is exposed with weathered disintegrated rock and very steep terrain. At 15.7km and 16.18km chainage, active landslide is observed during site study. Within the CIZ –III, a few exposed rocky portions with seepage of water from the hill sides are found on existing road. 70% of the plant growth is trees, only few shrubs and herbs are available. About 85% of soil is porous Sandy loam. 5.2.3 Land use By using the thematic mapping, satellite data products were analyzed for broad influence area of 5 Km both sides of the road. Analysis show that the major part of the broad influence is forest both open dense and bamboo forest. The analysis show following category of land uses: (i) Forest: 31.6 %, (ii) Crop land: 9.7 %, (iii) Grass land: 8.9%, (iv) Settlement: 5.1 %, and (v) Water body (river): 0.1%, (vi) Water body (lake/tank): 0.2%, (vii) scrub land: 11.6% and (viii) Scrub forest: 32.8%. Figure 5.2 Pie chart showing land uses within proposed project corridor. 49 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Map 5.1:.The land use and land cover map of 5 km influence zone of C-Z Road 50 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 5.2.4 Soil The soils of the project area with a 25% - 50% slope with abandoned jhum, current jhum land and horticulture plantation in small scales are clayey Typic Hapludults, L.S. Umbric Dystrochrepts, FL Typic Hapludults and Typic Dystrochrepts. However in a less sloped areas, F.L Humic Hapludults and Clayey Typic Dystrochrepts are also found. 5.2.5 Geology The project area represents Barail Group of rocks which comprises a monotonous sequence of shale interbedded with siltstone and hard compact, thinly bedded, grey to khaki, fine grained sandstone. Locally, a few hard, dark grey compact, medium to fine grained quartzwacke bands are present. The ridge area of the project is formed by Sandstone which are fine to very fine grained, not too bluish grey to light brown in colour, compact and hard, thinly bedded, rarely yellowish brown, medium grained and friable. The low structural hill is formed by Siltstone and Shale which are dark grey to grey in colour and are usually splintery (Refer map 5.4 ) (Source: Geological survey of India) 5.2.6 Slope Stability and Landslide In the project road in general the hill slopes are relatively stable. Potential major landslide areas were not noticed /reported in the project road. Engineering as well as bioengineering techniques will be proposed to stabilize the soil and slopes. Major landslide prone areas were not noticed during the field visit to the project stretch. However some minor land slide was noticed during field visit in following locations – Km. 8+700 , Km. 8+900, Km. 9+400, Km. 14+900, Km 15+300,Km 15+500 Km 15+900,Km16+300,Km. 18+600,Km 19+200, Km 22+800. During construction following area will be considered as landslide risk zone: Km 7+640 to Km 9+200 and Km 17+050 to Km 24+300. 5.2.7 Surface water The project road traverses through mountainous and steep terrains with several natural drainages such as deep gorges, depressions, etc., where perennial water and rain water 51 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II runoff are collected. Sometimes the storm runoff is accompanied by large quantities of debris from upstream side of the nallahs. The project is crossing 124 surface water crossings which are in the form of minor streams and nullah. The road ends at the Tiau River which is the international boundary with the Myanmar. Some of the streams crossings along the project road are: Tuipui Hnar at km 2.080, Verhpui Lui at km 3.600, Saisih stream at km 7.6, Vawmkaw Lui at 22.400 km, Dil Lui at 21.900 km, Thei ba Lui at km 23.7 5.2.7.1 Drainage channels Table 5-3lists the drainage channel cutting across the proposed Champhai to Zokhawthar Road (including the re-alignment sections). Table 5-3 Lists of drainage channels found in proposed alignment. S.No. Name River/ Location/ chainage Description (Nature, flows, use/ Stream value, risk) 1 Vawmkaw Lui Vawmkaw Lui These stream are perennial, both of and at 22.400Km them are flowing the proposed Dil Lui Dil Lui at 21 .900 Km alignment, the local people do not use (within Melbuk village for domestic purposes. The risk of area) decreasing the stream flow rate, polluting due road construction is minimal. 2 Saisih stream 7.6 Km along the This stream is perennial. This stream is proposed alignment not used for agricultural and domestic (within Mualkawi purposes. The risk of decreasing the village) stream flow rate, polluting due to construction is minimal. The source of pollution is mainly from rainwater debris. 3 Tuipui Hnar and Tuipui Hnar located at These streams are perennial. Risk of Verhpui Lui 2.080 Km, decreasing the stream flow rate, Verhpui Lui located at polluting due to road construction is 3.600 Km negligible. The source of pollution is mainly from rainwater debris. 4 Thei ba Lui located at 23.7 Km The stream is perennial. The local located at 23.7 along the proposed people do not use for domestic and Km along the alignment (within agricultural purposes. Risk of proposed Zokhawthar village) decreasing the stream flow rate, alignment. polluting due to road construction is negligible. The source of pollution is mainly from rainwater debris. 52 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 5.2.7.2 Ponds and other water bodies Along the project corridor, fish ponds owned by individuals residing in Champhai, Zotlang and Ruantlang at chainages 0.3 km, 2.15 km, 2.22 km, 2.265 km, 3.00 km, 4.525 km and 4.685 km are observed, and others water bodies are also observed within 200 m along the proposed alignment between 10.71 km – 12.20 km. In the low lying area dual cultivation of rice and fish is practiced during monsoon season. 5.2.7.3 Local flood risk area One low lying or depressed area which is prone to localized flood during monsoon is observed at Zokhawthar village. 5.2.7.4 Waterfalls/Spring along the Champhai to Zokhawthar Road: No waterfalls or spring was observed within 5 KM of broad influence area. 5.2.7.5 Water Uses and Scarcity Notwithstanding heavy monsoon, the Mizos face water problems every year during dry season (November to till mid-April) as the geological formation does not permit water retention, because surface runoff is quick and non-perennial streams dry up when there is no rain. The Mizoram Government has a policy to replace all thatch roofs with CGI sheets for promotion of rainwater harvesting. In continuation to the policy, the rainwater harvesting campaign was taken up by the Government under its public water supply programmes only in 1986.The norm for domestic water consumption by an average Mizo is 10 litres per day4. Thus the average quantity of water required by a family of eight to last a dry season is 9600 litres. In the village area, 95% of harvested rainwater is mostly stored at water tanks which are made of CGI sheets or galvanized plain sheets. The scarcity of water during dry season is also observed within the proposed project corridor. Watery ponds, streams, and tanks are used for drinking, fishing, cultivation, bathing etc by the community and several road users. Other than rainwater harvesting, the community and several road user use watery ponds, and springs are used for drinking, fishing, cultivation, bathing etc. At someplace along 53 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II the project corridor, spring/stream water is harvested by using bamboo pipelines for use of domestic purposes. Wetlands/ stagnant water and water logged areas such as low lying areas may host a variety of aquatic life and birds. Table 5.4 highlighted the name of stream/spring used for storing of water for use of domestic and other purposes. Table 5-4 Name of streams/rivers used for storing of water Sl.no. Name of Location Comments stream/Spring/river 1 1) Thingthupui Lui Zotlang The local people of Zotlang village located along the village harvested water from these rivers by proposed alignment at gravity. The water is potable and can be chainage 2.2KM RHS. used for domestic purposes without 2) Zotui Lui located at giving much treatment. These rivers are 3KM from the proposed not likely be impacted. One of the river is alignment of chainage located within the CIZ of Zotlang area 3.5KM and other is within BIZ. 2 1) Rekphuana Sih Mualkawi These springs are used for domestic (Spring) located at purposes after treatment by the people of 200m from chainage Mualkawi village. The water is harvested 6.65KM (RHS) uphill by means of pipeline. These springs are side, not likely be impacted by 2) Chalte Buk located at construction/operation works. It is located 150m from 6.75Km of within the core influence area of the proposed alignment Mualkawi village. (RHS) uphill side. 3) YMA tui located at the southern side from the village and downhill side the proposed camp site. 3 1) Zangdak Lui, located Melbuk These springs are used for domestic at about 4 km from Village purposes after treatment by the people of Melbuk village up in Melbuk village. The water is harvested by Hringlangtlang hill. means of pipeline. These springs are not 2) Lungsum Lui located likely be impacted by at about 700m up in construction/operation works. It is located Hringlangtlang. within the broad influence area of Melbuk 3) Tuikhur Lui located village. YMA tui located at chainage 15.05 km along the proposed alignment (RHS) on the hill side. 4 1) Zangdak Lui, located Zokhawthar These springs are used for domestic at about 4 km from Village purposes after treatment by the people of Zokhawthar village up Melbuk village. The water is harvested by in Hringlangtlang hill. means of pipeline. These springs are not 2) Lungsum Lui located likely be impacted by at about 700m up in construction/operation works. It is located 54 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Hringlangtlang. within the broad influence area of Melbuk 3) Tuikhur Lui located village. YMA tui located at chainage 15.05 km along the proposed alignment (RHS) on the hill side. 5.2.8 Ground water / Hydrogeology Geologically, the area is underlain by sedimentary rocks of Tertiary age, which have been tightly folded in a series of anticlines and synclines. Ground water occurs under confined and unconfined conditions in sandstones, sandy shales etc. In the northern and north western part of the State, the relief is much subdued. Mizoram is an abode of springs. These springs are widely utilized by people for domestic needs. Recent study suggests that there is good scope of tapping ground water in the riverbeds with sumps connected to infiltration galleries. Dynamic Ground Water Resources Annual Replenish able Ground water Resource 0.04 BCM Net Annual Ground Water Availability 0.04 BCM Annual Ground Water Draft 0.0004 BCM Stage of Ground Water Development 0.90 % Ground Water Development & Management Over Exploited NIL Critical NIL Semi- critical NIL In the low-lying areas, the ground water potential is categorized as good which are those jhum areas, abandoned jhum land and current jhum land. The ground water potential is moderate along the ridges which need to be focused upon to increase the sources of spring heads and fountains (Refer map 5.5). Ground water analysis indicate the chemical characteristics as - Fe 0.1 mg/l, Chloride 15 - 20.0 mg/l, PH 5.5 to 6 mg/l, Alkalinity 15-40 mg/l, Turbidity 0.1 to 1.0 NTU, Hardness 12- 16 mg/l . 55 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Along the project road three samples for testing is collected from Zothlang, Melbuk and Zokhawthar villages. The result of analysis is given in Annexure 5.2. Analysis of groundwater samples shows that the water is alkaline in nature (pH <8). The total dissolved solids (TDS) in three locations are below the permissible limit (500mg/l). Chloride concentration is well below the desirable limit (250mg/l) in all locations. Sulphate and Nitrate concentrations are low and within the permissible limit and thus indicate low degree of organic pollution. Fluoride is absent in all samples. Amongst the cations, Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) are below the permissible limit (200mg/l). Concentration of iron is above the desirable limit of 0.3 ml/l in all samples but below the permissible limit. Hence it causes no adverse effect on domestic uses and water supply system and also does not promote growth of iron bacteria. Groundwater in general is soft in the area and the Hardness is below the permissible limit of 600mg/l. Groundwater samples are free from heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium etc. Bacterial quality of groundwater shows all the samples drawn from tube-wells are free form fecal coliform and total coliform and hence the water samples are potable and suitable for human consumption after treatment process. 5.2.9 Flora 5.2.9.1 Forest resources As noted in section 5.2.3, over 68% of the area in the broad influence zone of 5 km is under forest/vegetation cover, including village council forest, plantation forest, Jhum land, shrubs etc. The forest and vegetation is important because forestry in Mizoram plays a very important role in sustainably livelihood of both human settlement and wildlife. Within the project corridor, the local people use forest resources like woods, eatable wild plants, jhum cultivation etc. A good forest cover reduces occurrence of soil erosion, landslides. Moreover the forest land enhances scenic beauty of the study area. Due to the practice of jhum cultivation, the forest land has been decreasing over the past years. The Jhum cultivation, commonly known as slash and burn practiced, is nothing but the habit of felling trees and foliage of forests and burning them and destroy natural vegetation, thus causing ecological imbalances (water retention, soil erosion, loss of species, degradation of habitat 56 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II etc).This usually led to spread of forests fire. The practice of jhum cultivation affects quality and coverage of forest area. Within the Core Influence Zone of 300 m, there is no notified/demarcated forest area or village council forest adjacent to the proposed Champhai – Zokhawthar Road alignment including in the re-alignment sections, and hence the proposed alignment/ re-alignment will not pass through such government notified or demarcated forest. Although 68% of the land within broad influence area of 5 km bothsdie or road is under vegetation cover, only 230m of the alignment (Km 9+300 to 9+530) is passing through forest plantation area and about 0.28 ha of forest land need to be acquired for widening of the road. Roadside Trees and Plants All trees having girth of 30 cms were counted along the Champhai to Zokhawthar road. Population of trees within right of way is given in Table 5-5. Tree inventory survey data indicates that the total population of trees is 693, of which 407 nos are trees having 30-60 cm girth size, 178 nos are 60-90cm girth size, 78 nos are 90-180 cm girth size and girth size having more than 180 cm are 30. It is obvious that 58.73% of tree population occupies a girth size of 30-60cm. Table 5-5 Details of trees and plants within CIZ/RoW of the C to Z Road Species Girth (cm) 30 – 60 cm 60 – 90 cm 90 – 180 cm >180 cm All trees are No of trees 407 178 78 30 indigenous trees 5.2.10 Biodiversity The biodiversity are the state’s priceless possession forming a part of the Indo- Burma Global Biodiversity Hotspot. The Indian hotspots are the most vulnerable regions due to population pressures, over-exploitation of natural resources, global warming and climate change and need immediate attention. The proposed project corridor has a very taxonomic range, in proportion to the enormous diversity of ecosystems and geographical conditions, which these species inhabit. However, in the last few decades, this diversity has faced increasing 57 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II erosion. Habitat loss, hunting and over exploitation, introduction of exotic species in river ecosystems, poisoning and other factors including progressive disempowerment of local communities and destabilization of Mizo traditional management systems, have caused this loss. Some elements of the loss, which have remained undetected or severely under-studied, include decline of the sub-species and varieties of a species. 5.2.10.1 Flora Within the core influence area of the C-Z Road, 27 tree species were observed, in which Alseodaphne petiolaris was the most prominent species found through the analysis of abundance. Sapium baccatum comes second and Albizziachinensis (Local Name: Vang), third and so on.. They were all local common species (Refer Annexure 5.1). 14 shrub species were observed. Through the Important value index analysis Saccharum longisetosum (Local Name: Luang) has the highest score, Bambu salongispiculata, Thysanolaena maxima (Local Name: Hmunphiah) comes next. These were all poaceae family which has been mostly used for domestic purpose (Annexure 5.1). 12 herb species were observed, Smilax prolifera has thehighest abundance , Mimosa pudica and Microlepia strigosa comes next. These three species has all medicinal purpose. They all were local common species. (Refer Annexure 5.1). From the sampling 107 species of floral were observed out of which tree species constitute 55 species , 17 species of shrub, 14 species of herbs, 5 species of palms, 5 species of grasses and 10 species of Climbers. Tectona grandis Linn.F., Michclia champaca, Duabanga grandiflora, Ficus semicordata, Deris robusta and Albizzia procera, were common tree species . Eupatorium odoratum, Clerodendrum viscosum, Costus speciosus, Thysalomina maxima, Curculigo crassifolia, etc were the common shrubs and herbs species (Refer table 3 of Annexure 5.1) From the data it is evident that like other Indian hotspots biodiversity of this part of the hot spot are at the vulnerable stage. The vulnerability may be attributed to, high population pressures, indiscriminate selective logging of trees, destruction of biodiversity due to mono culture agricultural practices, damming of rivers in these habitats resulting in habitat destruction, Overexploitations of natural resources in these regions have reached critical levels, Global warming and climate change which is altering the rain pattern and snow line in higher altitude, resulting in 58 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II permanent change in the habitat. Fauna Protected Area: There is no wildlife protected area within 5 KM influence area of the proposed project corridor. Neither wildlife movement route has been identified. Birds and Wildlife List of birds and animals that were spotted and as told by the local people during the site visit of C-Z road’s influence area of 5 km (zoological names and local names) are given in table 4 and 5 of Annexure 5.1. Biodiversity in Jhum Area: About, 35% of the C-Z road’s influence area, is under current Jhum cultivation land. The remaining area is unfit for such cultivation, either as the slope is unsuitable, or as the areas is inaccessible. Most of the Jhum areas are covered by bamboo especially Melanocana bambusieides and Dendrocalamusha mitonii or a secondary growth of species like macaranga, and callicarpa. In the valleys, beyond the Jhum Area, different types of palms like Pinangagracilis, Caryota species, Licuala species and canes of various kinds grow at a lower storey. Citaminous herbs like Alpinia, Curcuma species, Amonum species, and ferns of various species are found in the distant forest areas. However, in the C-Z Road adjoining area such growth is more or less absent due to Jhum practice. No higher bio-diversity rich zone is identified within the CIZ of C-Z proposed road. 5.3 AIR QUALITY Being an industrially backward state with no major polluting sources along the Champhai – Zokhawthar, in terms of air quality, the ambient air quality in Mizoram is generally pristine. Traffic in the existing road is an air pollution source. Low traffic volumes along the existing roads also point to lower pollutant concentrations even when close to the roads. The air quality monitoring in Zotlang and Zokhawthar settlements show that ambient air quality is within the acceptable limits or below the NAQQS standard (Table 5-6. Table 5-6: Air Quality Data and Comparison with National Standards 59 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Average monitoring Monitoring at Monitoring at Pollutants Time Standard* Zo tlang Zokhawthar (Hours) 80 μg/m3 SO2 24 2.5 μg/m3 5.7 μg/m3 80 μg/m3 NO2 24 10.5 μg/m3 14.5 μg/m3 100 μg/m3 PM 10 24 80.5 μg/m3 95.5 μg/m3 PM 2.5 24 28.0 35.5 60 μg/m3 CO 1 1.5 mg/m3 3.0 mg/m3 4.0 mg/ m3 * As per CPCB Publication: Ambient Air Quality Status and trends in Delhi (2009) 5.4 NOISE QUALITY The existing sources of noise in the Champhai – Zokhawthar road influence area: 1. Traffic movement Noise 2. Localised Furniture workshop 3. Noise coming from Residential areas such as playing music etc. The ambient noise monitored at six locations (Table 5.7) shows that the ambient noise quality of the areas was quite moderate, and was below the upper limit prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (Table 5.8). Table 5.7: Noise Level Monitoring Results Units in Leq. dB (A) LOCATION DAY TIME (06.00 AM TO NIGHT TIME (9.00 PM Sl. No (Location Category) 9.00 PM) TO 06.00 AM) Min Max. Average Min.. Max Average 1 Khankawn (Residential) 53.88 67.36 63.87 43.19 61.71 56.046 2 Zotlang (Residential) 53.73 64.69 61.56 41.58 59.34 54.697 3 Ruatlang (Residential) 52.26 64.60 61.6 45.78 60.86 57.202 4 Mualkawi (Residential) 51.52 66.05 62.55 42.59 61.45 55.591 5 Melbuk (Residential) 53.45 66.13 62.71 48.51 65.11 58.541 6 Zokhawthar (Residential) 51.25 65.88 61.11 42.93 61.3 54.817  ( In each case number of observations are 20) 60 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Noise level limits prescribed under Gazette Notification 643 dated 26.12.1989 of Ministry of Environment & Forest, GOI is given in Table 5.88 Table 5.8: Noise Level Limits of GoI {in Leq dB(A)} Area/Class Day Time Night Time (6.00 AM to 9.00 PM) (9.00 PM to 6.00 AM) Standard Standard Industrial 75 70 Commercial 65 55 Residential 55 45 Silence 50 40 Data indicate the fact that in all the monitoring locations average level of noise exceeds the standards of the residential area. It may be due to commercial activities and vehicular movement along the road during the monitoring period. 5.5 Prime Agricultural Land 5.5.1 Jhum Cultivation: Agriculture is the mainstay in Mizoram, with about 70% of the population dependent on agriculture. Shifting cultivation in Mizoram is cultivation on a periodic cycle on the hilly slopes, over a traditional 8-year cycle. With the increasing pressure on land, the Jhum cycle has come down. In Champhai – Zokhawthar Road influence area, 7.5 % of land is under current Jhum cultivation and abandoned shifting cultivated land is 14%. 5.5.2 Prime Agricultural land: Prime agricultural lands are commonly located in the river/ stream valleys and gentle slopes. Often these are small isolated patches. Such prime agricultural lands in the Champhai – Zokhawthar Road influence area are located at different places and are about 25% of the land. Pressure is increasing on such lands over recent times due to population increase, expansion/ development of settlements. Implementations of the project need acquisition of 48 ha of agriculture land, out of which 35.8ha is Jhum land which is used for traditional Jhum cultivation. This may be classified as –  Jhum land – 35.8 ha  Tiau river valley land – 10.7 ha  Champhai valley land – 1.5 ha 61 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Forest land - 0.28 ha Champhai valley land – are the prime agriculture land. These types of land are only present in Champhai valley. These are only irrigated land in Mizoram and used for Paddy production throughout the year and produce paddy three times in a year. Loss of 1.5 ha of prime agriculture land will have impact on rice production of Mizoram. Tiau River valley land- Tiau river valley land are also prime agriculture land and used for paddy production. Loss of 10.7 ha of riverine prime agriculture land will have impact on rice production of Mizoram. The Champhai – Zokhawthar Road and Mizoram has comparative advantage in ginger, citrus fruits, potato, kiwi, tea/coffee, bamboo shoot, banana, etc. The prime agriculture land is the foundation for this and hence is important resource/ basis for poverty reduction and prosperity. 5.6 HUMAN USE VALUES 5.6.1 ROAD SAFETY Number of road mishaps, resulting in serious injuries and fatal casualties of the travelling public also happened in the roads of Mizoram as in other places around the world, including the existing Champhai – Zokhawthar road, are reported every year. These road accidents may be classified as: 1) Public conveyance service cars colliding with another car driven by drivers, both unaware of the design speed at blind curve, 2) Cars overshoot at curves without proper geometrical design, which pass through hilly terrain, negotiating sharp curves and bends without adequate signages. The cause of the accidents, however, is reported to be mainly due to the negligence of drivers. 3) Poor road condition. 62 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 5.6.2 COMMON PROPERTY RESOURCES A number of common property resources such as community bus stops, public urinals and market shed are located along the Champhai – Zokhawthar Road corridor. Almost all the villages traversed by the Project road were found to have public urinals along the road. The community common resources located within the CIZ is listed in Table 5.9 Table 5.9 : Common property resources along Champhai – Zokhawthar Road Sr.No. Description Nos. Location 1 Public Toilet 1 Ch 0.00 2 Public Urinal 5 Ch4120, Ch4950, Ch10580, Ch11800 & Ch12800 3 Bus Shed 5 Ch9000, Ch10580, Ch11800, Ch12800 & Ch.19700, 4 Bazar Shed 5 Ch 0.00,Ch 3250,Ch 7460,Ch Ch 16920 & Ch 24370 5 Playground 2 1) Ch 2.600 – 2.800, Zotlang Village 2) Ch 4.400 – 4.500 Ruantlang Village 6 Churches 3 1) Presbyterian church, Zotlang, 50m RHS Ch 3.650, 2) Presbyterian Church, Mualkawi, 95m RHS, Ch 8.600, 3) Presbyterian Church, Melbuk, 75m RHS, Ch 17.250 4) Presbyterian Church, Zokhawthar, 75m RHS, Ch 23.800 Sr.No. Description Nos. Location 7 Irrigation canal Spur Road 1) From Ch 0.160 – 1.200 RHS, 2) Ch 0.160 – 0.400 LHS, 3) Ch 0.700 – 1.300 LHS 4) Ch 1.450 – 1.650 LHS 5) Ch 1.680 – 1.850 LHS 6) Ch 2.000 – 2.540 LHS 7) Ch 1.600 – 1.850 RHS, Champhai – Zokhawthar 1) Ch 2.500 – 2.900 LHS 2) Ch 2.500 – 2.600 RHS 3) Ch 2.700 – 2.800 RHS 8 School 6 1) Government Comprehensive School, Zotlang 85 m LHS from Ch 3.600, 2) Presbyterian School, Zotlang, 125 m LHS from Ch 3.800, 3) Springdale School, Zotlang, 50m LHS from Ch 4.100, 4) Government Middle School, Mualkawi, 200m LHS from Ch 9.100, 5) St. Joseph School, Zokhawthar, CL,Ch 23.980, 6) Pine Hill Seventh Day Adventist school, 285m RHS from CH 1.340 Spur Road. 9 Hand pump Zotlang village, Mualkawi, Melbuk and Zokhawthar 63 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 5.7 CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT A fine blending of different shades of culture is noticeable in the festivals observed throughout the district. Almost all the festivals are associated with the underlying principle of the anthropomorphizing of the divinity and the ascriptions of human conduct and affection to it. The Champhai is not only an ideal choice for mountains, valleys, waterfalls and scenic beauties, but also for colourful fairs and festivals. 5.7.1 Cultural properties There is no nationally or internationally recognized archeological or cultrural or religious site in the unfkuence area of the C-Z Road. Local cultural sites, such as Churches , graveyards and memorial tombs and stones, are located in the close surroundings of the road. These are: Churches – Presbyterian Church, Zotlang, 50m RHS Ch 3.650, boundary wall of the church is falling with in the CIZ of the road Grave yards The Proposed alignment is passing through five grave yard area Km 3+200 Grave yard and portion of the church in Zotlang village Km 5+450 Grave yard at the side of the road Km 10+500 Grave yard at the side of the road Km 16+ 600 Grave yard at the side of the road Km 24+ 300 Grave yard at the side of the road These are of human sentimental attachments and some time is of places of cultural and religious interest. Hence during finalisation of the road alignment due consideration should be given to avoid these graveyards if possible, without compromising the technical aspect and safety aspect of the road. 64 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Photograph 5.1: Graveyard at Melbuk village Km16+700 Photograph 5.2: Graveyard at Km10+500 Memorial tomb and memorial stone along the road Sapian Maksak: Sapian Maksak is a memorial tomb constructed by Zamunga in the year 1952. Zamunga is a famous great and brave hunter of Mualkawi village. He used to hunted many wild animals like Wild boar, Bear, Tiger and wild Buffaloes. The villagers gave him due respect and proud of him during his lifetime. Before he was deceased, he erected this memorial tomb, mentioning the types and numbers of wild animals he hunted. So the village people wanted to preserve this memorial tomb either by relocating the tomb to suitable place and making a good 65 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II fencing or by diverting the proposed alignment around the tomb site. It is located in the RHS of chainage 9.95Km. Mangkhaia Lung: Mangkhaia Lung: Mangkhaia Lung also known as ‘Chhura fa rep” was constructed by a great king of Zotlang village named as Mangkhaia. It is located in the LHS of chainage 3.40Km. This tomb highlighted social life of the village during his reign. The village people wanted to preserve this memorial tomb. No religious heritage site has been observed near the project corridor. Photograph 5.3: Mangkhaia Lung in Zotlang village 5.8 Quarries The locations of existing or proposed or potential quarry within the 5 km influence area of the Champhai – Zokhawthar Road are listed in Table 5.8. Table 5.8 : Location of Quarries S.N. Quarry name & Tentative Description (existing condition, nature of location yield (cum) surrounding area, potential issue/ risk) 1 Patea Quarry 42,500 cum The quarry is located at Champhai village. 2 Pa Zualtea Quarry 49,500 cum The quarry is located at Champhai village. 3. Zarzoliana quarry 32,000 cum The quarry is located at Near Tuichang River. 4 C.Malsawma quarry 46,130 cum The quarry is located at Khawzawl 66 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 5 Quarries owned by 30,250 cum There are other quarries in the RHS of the other individuals of proposed alignment held by other individuals New Hruaikawn residing in New Hruaikawn village, the quality of Village the stone is yet to be determined, these quarries will not affect the proposed Road 5.9 Borrow area Sand, pebble, gravel and river bed materials are available in the following river/ stream locations. Quality of this material is suitable for GSB materials. S.no. Location/ (River/ stream) Distance from Remarks road/ tentative yield 1 Tiau river 2.5 km from end of Existing sand mine run by proposed roads/ individuals residing in 3,750 cum Zokhawthar village 2. Tuipui River 300 m from existing Existing sand mine run by Seling to Champhai individuals residing in road/ 3,920 cum Champhai Village For material extraction like stone and pebbles river bed should be avoided. If unavoidable then contractor should get prior NOC from – irrigation department, water resource department, mining and geology department, Forest and Environment. They will take approval of the environment cell of PIU and supervision consultant with submission of plan for minimum disturbance to the river ecosystem. No material will be extracted from any river which is in international boundary i.e. from Tiau River and water form Tiau River will not be used for construction purpose. 67 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Project Area Map 5.2: Elevation Map of Mizoram 68 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Map 5.3: Geomorpholgy Map of Mizoram 69 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Project Area Map 5.4: Geological Map of Mizoram 70 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Map 5.5: Ground water potential Map of Mizoram 71 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER- 6: COMMUNITY CONSULTATION 6.1 Introduction Public participation and community consultation has been carried out at different stages of Champhai –Zokhawthar (C-Z) Road planning and design. It is a continuous two way process, and will continue during remaining period of preparation as well as during implementation. Various tools and methods, as described in the Environmental Management Framework (EMF)5 and Social Management Framework (SMF), were/will be used in different consultations depending on the stage of project, the target audience, and purpose of the consultations. In order to solicit the views of the project affected persons and other stakeholders about the project and its impact on them; public information and consultation (PIC) meetings were conducted at different stages of project-preparation during August to December 2013. Following consultations and stakeholder meetings were carried out prior to EIA:  During the process of screening site visit to C-Z Road (from June 2013 to August 2013) informal discussions with roadside settlers/ road neighbors at different places along C-Z Road (Champhai, Melbuk, Mualkawi, Zotlang, Ruatlang and Zokhawthar village) for getting local people’s views/ observations/ insights on the secondary environmental information as well as potential sensitive environmental sites and issues. (Refr Photo 6.1: Discussion with villagers in Melbuk & Zotlang Vilages  From October 2013 to December 2013, meetings with the NGOs/ CBOs and village councils at Champhai, Melbuk, Mualkawi, Zotlang, Ruatlang and Zokhawthar 5 See consultations objectives, methods and tools in EMF and SMF prepared for the MSR II – RTCP. 72 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II village; as well as meeting with site offices of the government at Champhai Mualkawiand Zokhawthar. Photo 6.2: Discussion with villagers in Zokhawthar & Mualkwai Vilages Photo 6.3 : Consultation with villagers in Melbuk village for finalization of diversion and road alignment  Formal consultation on the C-Z Road’s Screening Report6. A consultation was organized at Conference Hall, PIU,PWD Aizawl on 31.08.2013 to discuss the findings of the environmental screening of C-Z Road and to get suggestions. Another objective of the consultation was to finalize the TOR for EIA study of C-Z Road. Issues raised during consultation and response of PIU have been given in Annexure- 6.1 of this report.  Formal Consultation on EMF. 6 See C-Z Road Environmental Screening Report 73 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II A stakeholder consultation was organized at Conference Hall, Aijal club, Aizawl on 18.11.2013 to discuss the findings of reviews done in the process of EMF development, and content of the draft EMF. Issues raised during consultation and response of PIU have been given in Annexure- 6.2 of this report. Photo 6.4: Stakeholder consultation workshop on EMF and SMF 6.2 Consultations during EIA In the process of EIA, following consultations were carried out: (i) Focus Group Discussions, and (ii) Community Consultations, Focus Group Discussion Following FGDs were carried out7 in the places along the C-Z Roads at the dates (from 26th December to 28th December 2013 ) indicated with the group identified.  NGO and CBO  Vehicle operators  Roadside inhabitants  Religious/ cultural groups Community Consultation 7 Refer section 4.3 and table 4.1 74 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Formal community consultations were carried out at Champhai, Melbuk, Mualkawi, Zotlang, Ruatlang and Zokhawthar At the village/ community consultation, PAPs and local government leaders (the Village Council Leaders), the local voluntary organisations (including the “Young Mizo Associations”YMA, and MIHP) had been consulted. Most of the village meetings were conducted in the form of group discussions, based on an open- ended schedule. The minutes of the village meetings had been recorded/ documented. 6.3 Environmental Issues / concerns raised during consultation From all consultation sessions (household, village and state levels) it was found that the participants were aware of the project. They also made several recommendations about the plan, design location of disposal sites, source of water during construction and location of campsites. The principal issues raised during the various stages of community consultation and the perceptions about the project are summarised in Table 6.1. There are several recommendations about the plan, design location of disposal sites, source of water during construction and location of campsites. Table 6.1: Principal Issues, Opinions & Perceptions of the Communities Sl. No. Issue Perceptions, Opinions & Response of PIU Suggestions 1 Landslide People want a good road, but are PIU explained them the design and concerns on the issue of landslides slope protection measures that may trigger due to fresh hill considered in the project and cutting. assures them to reduce the same. Slope protection measures especially bioengineering techniques have been incorporated in the project cost . 2 Water The location of their water Minimize the impact on such Harvesting collection points are close to the structure and reconstruct the same structures road, Villagers were concerned that in suitable location in consultation these may be damaged during with villagers. construction. . Water Harvesting structures have been incorporated in the BOQ and project cost 75 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Table 6.1: Principal Issues, Opinions & Perceptions of the Communities Sl. No. Issue Perceptions, Opinions & Response of PIU Suggestions 3 Water Water Scarcity being felt Community water source will not Requirement throughout the year, water required be disturbed and affected during during for road construction was a concern construction. construction for the villagers. They also Suggested water sources –as suggested some source of water construction water source will be which contractor can develop finalized by the contractor after during construction which will be approval from PIU and SC beneficial for the community. 4 Construction Dumping of earth/soil residue Dumping in designated disposal waste disposal should be done at a sites designated sites and also explained the toe by the respective village protection, compaction and slope representatives. If crop or land is protection on the disposal sites. damaged due to waste disposal, the PIU also informed that community affected persons should be will be involved in management of compensated fully. Fear of disposal sites. landslides due to cutting down of trees and bringing down of hill slopes. 5 Bypasses/ In most of the villages, the About the trade corridor explained diversion communities were in favour of and safety issues related to the road developing the road along existing development and convinced the alignment through the village. villagers for diversions Conversely, people were not in favour of bypasses. (This is related to the fact that the village settlement pattern in Mizoram, otherwise a difficult terrain, was entirely dependent on the roads and the road-form.) . 6 Degraded forest About 3.58 ha plantation area Plantation area will be compensated land/ plantation mostly rubber plantation will be with double the number of trees. area affected due to the widening of the Vegetation cover in the area will road. increase due proposed plantation along the road and for slope protection. Cost of compensatory aforestation and road side plantation has been considered in project cost. 76 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Table 6.1: Principal Issues, Opinions & Perceptions of the Communities Sl. No. Issue Perceptions, Opinions & Response of PIU Suggestions 7 Road Safety People expressed concern about Safety issues has been taken care in safety of the local inhabitants (as the the design and will be residential and/or commercial implemented. properties in the villages are located Time to time PIU will also very close to the road, and the organize safety awareness roadway is not very wide). Due to programs for the safety of the increase in motorized traffic, the villagers and children. people are willing to limit their commercial activities on the roadside and shift their residence away from the road, for the safety of their children. 8 Alignment People living on the valley side of Widening of the road has been options the road were concerned about the considered mostly on the hill side difficulty to move their properties but due to technical, environmental away from the road (as the valleys and R&R issues some time valley were very steep), and had suggested side has been considered. cutting the hillside for widening the PIU also assured all type of road. assistance to the PAPs 9 Labour Camps People want that the labour camp Labour camp will be constructed in should be established away from the consultation with village council village and habitation. People do not and the guideline to be issued to the want that the labourers should settle contractors for camp establishment down, in their neighborhood, after was explained to the villagers. completion of the project. 12 Quality Control There was apprehension about The implementation schedule and timely completion of, and quality arrangements, including the control in the project. procurement of supervision consultants and technical auditors were explained to the people. 13 Dust pollution Dust, rubbles from demolished (or Time to time water will be cut) hillside, and those from sprinkled in the villages during dismantling of building structures construction within the settlements worried the community. Without – considered in EMP cost proper precaution, the houses and Dust suppression measures will be gardens (or orchards) on the valley installed in Hot mix plant, batching side would be impacted due to plants, crushers and WMM plants dust, debris or construction wastes. 14 Noise Pollution Noise pollution was also an issue All measures to be implemented particularly on the stretch within the during construction to reduce noise villages within settlements especially during night, prayer time and Sundays explained to the villagers. 77 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Table 6.1: Principal Issues, Opinions & Perceptions of the Communities Sl. No. Issue Perceptions, Opinions & Response of PIU Suggestions 15 Community The communities were of the view Local people should be given Involvement and that they should be consulted at priority for employment in employment various stages of the project, from contractor as per their skill and preparation to project qualification has been included in implementation and local people contractor’s contract. should get employment during construction. 6.4 Consultations for identification of disposal sites and construction water Consultations in terms of Focus Group discussions (FGD) were carried out with the villagers in all the villages to identify the probable disposal sites which may be individual land or community land which can be used for community welfare purpose – like football ground, village market etc. Note on such consultations has been given in annexure 6.3 of this report. During these consultations suggestions were also received from villagers for identification source of water for construction and construction camp locations. Additional disposal sites8 identified are-  The existing football ground is located about 800 Km from the proposed alignment of 17.50 km.  The community market shed is proposed to construct along the alignment at 16.80 Km  The existing football grounds are located about 0.70 Km (Playground 1) and 0.90 Km (Playground 2) from 9.3 Km of the proposed alignment.  The existing football grounds are located along the alignment in between 2.6 to 2.8 Km in Zotlang village  community market shed is proposed along the alignment of 3.6 Km in Zotlang village Suggested water source for construction are- 8 12 disposal sites have already identified by design consultant 78 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Water required for construction of road and labour camp will be harvested from the water point located at 16.900 Km which is 200 m from Melbuk village.  From Dam Tuikhur which is 0.8 Km from the proposed alignment in Mualkwai village.  Water may be harvested from the natural spring 1.2km from proposed alignment at km 3.6  Water requirement for the construction may be harvested from Lungloh tui, which is located at 2 Km from the proposed alignment at Zokhawthar village Consultation at Hruaikawn Consultation at Zotlang Consultation at Mualkwai Consultation at Melbuk Photo 6.5: Consultation with villagers for identification of potential disposal sites and water source for construction 79 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 6.5 Perception and felt needs of the community 6.5.1 Community perception The overall opinion, among the villagers in general and the PAPs in particular, was that the project is very beneficial to all of them. The people welcomed the idea of road improvement and expressed willingness to support the project activities in all possible/feasible ways. The communities’ opinion regarding the positive effects of the project were:  The project would accelerate development of trade and commerce, which in turn would lead to an overall increase in the standard of living in the villages.  The project would enable the people to save time, money and fuel.  Travelling to places like Lunglei and Aizawl , Champhai for medical treatment would be easier.  Villagers would be able to sell agricultural produces more profitably as improved road condition will enable access to a wider market area. More villages would be able to sell perishable goods to the urban centres (which is difficult now due to the long travel time).  More individual households would be able to open small roadside businesses (such as provision shops, ‘vehicle repairing’ shops, restaurants) either as an alternative source of income, or to augment their income.  Influx of tourists and visitors would help the local entrepreneurs.  Value of land will increase after the project is operationalised.  Communication with other villages and urban areas will be improved or facilitated. 6.6 Plans for Continued Consultations and Information Dissemination The EIA/ EMP will be disclosed in the following places.  Aizawl.  Champai 80 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The disclosed EIA/ EMP as well as social documents will be kept for public reference at State Public Library, Aizawl and with the village council of the affected villages along the C-Z Road. All these places will be open to the public without any restriction. The reports shall also be available at the World Bank Infoshop at Washington DC, as per the World Bank disclosure policy. In addition to this, the copy of the report shall be available with the PWD headquarters at Aizawl, PIU Aizawl, and the C-Z Road site office. The report from these places will be available to the public on request for reference. PIU, PWD will provide actual information on the policies and other provision in the EIA and EMP to the people, in regular basis. For this, following actions are proposed;  The Environmental Cell of PIU, PWD will appraise the communities about progress in the implementation of the EMP.  There will be a grievance redressed mechanism described in RIPDP  Consultations will take place with communities regarding improving existing local amenities and/or creating new community’s amenities as proposed in the DPR of C -Z road. 81 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER 7- ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 7.1 Introduction The objective of the route alignment study is to determine various alternative alignment options and to identify relative acceptable and preferable alignment. With a view to appreciate the feasibility and relative strength, weakness of the alternative proposals marked on the toposheets, and site evaluation of the same have been carried out. This was manifested through identifying the problems, shortcomings along with probable route. The Project Road from Km 0.0 to Km 26.0 has road geometrics of State Highway (SH) Standards with single lane and in some place with intermediate lane. For the up- gradation of the road to the double lane standards, the existing gradients & radius have to be improved for safe and smooth flow of traffic. However, in many stretches, the gradients are very steep and the road has to be realigned. Based on the reconnaissance and other surveys, it is identified that more or less the complete road has to be improved. In this effort, there are two situations for improvement of the road geometric: Realignment Sections: The existing road geometric in certain stretches cannot be brought within the permissible level of the road geometric of the double lane standards. In view of that, the realignment has been resorted to. Design Consultant has studied a number of options before finalizing the realignment sections. Regradient Sections: The balance portion of the road after realignment is to be regraded in order to remove kinks, undulations, unevenness and fast changing gradients so as to bring the geometrics to the parameters of the two lane standards. Minimizing Environmental and Social Impacts. Avoiding or minimizing environmental and social impacts was the first consideration in alternative analysis. As the single lane road already exists, improving the existing road within the existing right of way is the first choice that would have minimum additional environmental and social consequences. The project has, thus, tried to follow the existing road right of way to the extent possible. However the road widening is necessary to make the single lane road to double lane. In places, there are settlements adjacent to the existing road. Widening in those areas will lead to acquisition of houses and displacement of PWD Mizoram 82 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II people. Hence, in order to upgrade the roads with minimum social impacts, re- alignment has been proposed in few sections as described in the subsequent sections. As shown in the subsequent sections, the environmental risks of the re-alignment sections are also remains more or less the same as in the existing road right of way. Detailed comparison of the re-alignment sections are presented below. The local roadside residents were concerned about the access limitation to the settlement due to re-alignment. In response to this, project includes maintenance/ restoration of the existing road to have better access of the existing settlements to the re-alignment sections of the road. The project would result a number of benefit, such as saving in travel time and cost, improved access to services and market, opportunity for employment/ trade, and strengthening local economy. The adverse impacts can be mitigated or compensated through readily available measures 7.2 The alternative routes / re-alignment sections Following three re-alignment options have been studies9 (Refer figure 7.1).  Re-align the existing initial stretch of the Champhai – Zokhawthar road between km 0+000 to 3+000 by shifting the existing take-off point at km 150+000 to a proposed new take-off point at km 146+000 (i.e. located at outskirt of Champhai town) on Seiling – Champhai road  The realignment has been proposed for Mualkawi village (Km 7+640 to Km 9+200)  The integrated realignment avoids the settlement at Melbuk village and Zokhawthar (Km 17+050 to Km 24+300). The details of each option is given below. 7.3 Comparison of re-alignment options 7.3.1 Re-alignment 1 (0+000 to 3+000): Champhai 9 Refer section 2.2.1 of chapter 2 PWD Mizoram 83 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The initial stretch of the Champhai – Zokhawthar road passes through heavily built-up areas of Champhai town. The overall existing alignment passes through steep terrains which are unstable and landslide prone area at many locations and could pose serious problems in the future. Due to these reasons, it was necessary to re-align the existing initial stretch of the Champhai – Zokhawthar road between km 0+000 to 3+000 by shifting the existing take-off point at km 150+000 to a proposed new take-off point at km 146+000 (i.e. located at outskirt of Champhai town) on Seiling – Champhai road. (Refer figure 7.1). Table 7.1 compares implications of upgrading in the existing alignment and constructing new ones in terms of technical, social and environmental consequences. Table 7.1 Analysis of Alternatives for Diversion/Realignment - 1 of C-Z road Sr. Indicators Unit Upgrading the existing Constructing new No alignment alignment 1. 1 Length Meters 0 to 3660 0 to 3560 2. 2 Proposed Row Meters 24 24 3. 3 Approximate land area sq.mtr 82680 (8.268 ha) 82680 (8.268ha) required (hectare) 4. 4 Approximate cost of Rupees 156 156 land to be acquired (Million) 5. Impact on agriculture Hectare Nil Nil land 6. Impact on forest land Hectare Nil Nil 7. 5 PAPS affected Number 1250 350 8. 6 Structures likely to be Number 190 27 affected 9. 7 CPRs likely to be Number 10 2 affected 10. 8 Cost of Resettlement Rupees 23 5.2 and rehabilitation (Million) 11. 9 Volume of excavated cubic meter Cut 50429/ Cut 50429 / material/ debris Fill 50429 Fill 50429 12. 1 Number of trees likely Number 121 212 0 to be affected 13. 1 Landslides damage Low/ Moderate Low 2 potential moderate/ High 14. 1 Impact on Water sources Number Nil Nil 3 15. 1 Impact on Cultural sites Number Nil Nil 4 16. 1 Impact on Bio-diversity ha Nil Nil 5 rich area (important species, habitat etc) PWD Mizoram 84 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Table 7.1 Analysis of Alternatives for Diversion/Realignment - 1 of C-Z road Sr. Indicators Unit Upgrading the existing Constructing new No alignment alignment 17. 1 Number of sharp curve number 2 Nil 6 (with risk of traffic accidents) 18. 1 Civil construction cost Rupees 260 260 7 (Million) Note: Landslide and slope instability risk is judged by the EA team based on the nature of the slope, geology, and water. A high risk is assigned if the geology of the area is weak, slope is high and there is water seepage. Low risk area has gentle slope with no visible landslips occurring and no water seepage. There is chance of cutting trees during construction of new alignment but trees to be cut are all local trees (not endangered species) and mostly bamboo culms. As vegetation growth in the area is very high, so compensatory plantation measures suggested in EMP will overcome the impact in minimum time. The re-alignment route is not habitat or migratory route of any wildlife. It will not lead to loss of any habitat or interfere with migratory route. Risk of traffic accident is high in the existing road as there are dwellings on both side of the road and two curves. No major landslide or slope instability risk is identified in the re-alignment section also. Hence landslide and slope instability risk is also low. Based on comparison of constructing new alignment option with existing alignment it may be concluded that constructing new alignment option is better than the existing alignment because widening with realignment will require same amount of land , impact on structures is, community structures, no project affected family, resettlement and rehabilitation cost is less than the existing alignment upgradation. It will also generate same amount of excavated earth and better safety for the villagers and less construction cost. 7.3.2 Realignment -2 (Km 7+640 to Km 9+200): Mualkawi Existing alignment is passing through Mualkawi village, where width of carriage way is about 5 to 5.2 m. widening within the village is difficult due to linear settlement along the road and heavily buildup areas within the village. Within this road stretch there are few sharp curves and children and villagers are most of the time are on the road. Realignment has been proposed for this portion of the existing road considering - minimum displacement of people, improvement of the alignment considering high speed corridor and international trade rout, safety of villagers during construction and operation of the road . PWD Mizoram 85 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The proposed realignment take off points are near the village which will not deprive the connectivity with villages and hence, the villagers would be the benefited with the proposed alignment (Refer figure 7.2). Table 7.2 Analysis of Alternatives for Diversion/Realignment - 2 of C-Z road Sr. Indicators Unit Upgrading the existing Constructing new No alignment alignment 1 Length Meters 1800 1600 2 Proposed Row Meters 18 24 3 Approximate land area sq.mtr 32400 (3.24) 38400 (3.84) required 4 Approximate cost of land Rupees 18.70 22.17 to be acquired (Million) 5 Impact on agriculture land Hectare 0.97 1.1 6 Impact on forest land Hectare Nil Nil 7 PAPS affected Number 285 120 8 Structures likely to be Number 56 6 affected 9 CPRs likely to be affected Number 2 1 10 Cost of Resettlement and Rupees rehabilitation (Million) 8.5 2.4 11 Volume of excavated Cut 195475/ Cut 231385/ material/ debris cubic meter Fill 12565 Fill 10404 12 Number of trees likely to Number be affected 976 1123 13 Landslides damage Low/ Moderate Low potential moderate/ high damage potential 14 Impact on Water sources numbre nil nil 15 Impact on Cultural sites Number Nil Nil 16 Impact on Bio-diversity ha Nil Nil rich area (important species, habitat etc) 17 Number of sharp curves High /low 3 nil (with risk of traffic accidents) 18 Civil construction cost High/low High Low Note: Landslide and slope instability risk is judged by the EA team based on the nature of the slope, geology, and water. A high risk is assigned if the geology of the area is weak, slope is high and there is water seepage. Low risk area has gentle slope with no visible landslips occurring and no water seepage. There is chance of cutting trees during construction of new alignment but trees to be cut are all local trees (not endangered species) and mostly bamboo culms. As vegetation growth in PWD Mizoram 86 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II the area is very high, so compensatory plantation measures suggested in EMP will overcome the impact in minimum time. The re-alignment route is not habitat or migratory route of any wildlife. It will not lead to loss of any habitat or interfere with migratory route. Risk of traffic accident is high in the existing road as there are dwellings on both side of the road and three curves. No major landslide or slope instability risk is identified in the re-alignment section. Hence landslide and slope instability risk is also low in the re-alignment section. Based on comparison of realignment option with existing alignment it may be concluded that realignment option is better than the existing alignment because widening with realignment will require less amount of land, impact on structures, community structures, project affected family, resettlement and rehabilitation cost, generation of excavated earth, better safety for the villagers and less construction cost. The realignment option has been finalized mainly in view of the large scale adverse impacts on structures resulting in displacement and in light of the road safety concerns expressed by communities at Mualkawi village. 7.3.3 Realignment -3 (Km 17+050 to Km 24+300): Melbuk and Zokawthar The proposed alignment also realigned at the existing road from Km 17+050 to Km 24+300 to buy pass the habitant and heavily built-up areas of the villages Melbuk & Zokhawthar. Within this road stretch, there are few sharp curves and children and villagers are most of the time are on the road. Realignment has been proposed for this portion of the existing road considering - minimum displacement of people, improvement of the alignment considering high speed corridor and international trade rout, safety of villagers during construction and operation of the road . The proposed realignment take off points are near the village which will not deprive the connectivity with villages and hence, the villagers would be the benefited with the proposed alignment (Refer figure 7.3). Table 7.3 Analysis of Alternatives for Diversion/Realignment - 2 of C-Z road Sr. No Indicators Unit Upgrading the Constructing new existing alignment alignment 1 Length Meters 8100 7300 2 Proposed Row Meters 24 & 18 24 3 Approximate land area square meter 172800 (17.28) 175200 (17.52) PWD Mizoram 87 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II (hectare) 4 Approximate cost of Rupees (million) 99.76 101.15 land to be acquired 5 Impact on agriculture Hectare 5.18 5.25 land 6 Impact on forest land Hectare Nil Nil 7 PAPs affected Number 356 162 8 Approximate Structures Number 110 28 likely to be affected 9 Approximate CPRs Number 6 3 likely to be affected 10 Cost of Resettlement Rupees (million) 20 6 and rehabilitation 11 Volume of excavated cubic meter Cut 1435872/ Fill Cut 1228872/ Fill material/debris 98283 118283 12 Number of trees likely Number to be affected 830 1856 13 Landslides damage risks Low/ moderate/ Moderate low high damage risks 14 Impact on Water Number Nil Nil sources 15 Impact on Cultural sites Number Nil Nil 16 Impact on Bio- ha nil nil diversity rich area (important species, habitat etc) 17 Number of sharp number 4 nil curves (with potential risk of traffic accidents) 18 Civil construction cost Rupees (Million) 575.1 518.3 Note: Landslide and slope instability risk is judged by the EA team based on the nature of the slope, geology, and water. A high risk is assigned if the geology of the area is weak, slope is high and there is water seepage. Low risk area has gentle slope with no visible landslips occurring and no water seepage. There is chance of cutting trees during construction of new alignment but trees to be cut are all local trees (not endangered species) and mostly bamboo culms. As vegetation growth in the area is very high, so compensatory plantation measures suggested in EMP will overcome the impact in minimum time. The re-alignment route is not habitat or migratory route of any wildlife. It will not lead to loss of any habitat or interfere with migratory route. Risk of traffic accident is high in the existing road as there are dwellings on both side of the road and four PWD Mizoram 88 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II curves. No major landslide or slope instability risk is identified in the re-alignment section. Hence landslide and slope instability risk is also low. Based on comparison of realignment option with existing alignment it may be concluded that realignment option is better than the existing alignment because widening with realignment will require less amount of land , impact on structures, community structures, project affected family , Resettlement and rehabilitation cost , generation of excavated earth better safety for the villagers and less construction cost. The realignment option -3 has been finalized mainly in order to avoid impacts on structures in Melbuk and Zokhawthar, steep gradient of the existing road, and in light of the road safety concerns expressed by communities at these locations. The re-alignment portions of the road also pass through areas with a much better topographical as well as soil conditions. Apart from the reduction in distance between Champhai and Zokawthar boarder point by Km 2.50, which would greatly benefit terms of vehicle operating cost and travel time, the proposed re-alignment is technically far better and financially cost effective in the long run. 7.4 Without project and with project scenario Without project scenario Because of the limited scope of the alternatives in hilly terrain of the state roads, existing alignment was generally followed. The up-gradation corridor is generally free from the traffic pressure. Because of the poor pavement condition and generally bad geometry of the road need to be upgraded. The “Without Project” (only routine maintenance) scenario entails:  Increase in travel time  Increase transportation cost  Increased accidents  Increased vehicle operation cost  Reduced employment / economic opportunities. PWD Mizoram 89 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The (Without Project) scenario would in fact be a major setback to effective solutions to traffic hazards and associated problems. It would also arrest the possible significant enhancement and economic development of the region. With project scenario The proposed project road up-gradation and improvement programme would provide better level of service in terms of improved riding quality and smooth movement of traffic. Socio-economic benefits that will accrue from the project includes all weather access, reliability, reduced transportation costs, increased access to markets for local products, access to new employment centers and employment to local workers on the project itself, better access to health care and other social services and strengthening of local economies. Improvement of the corridor would not only reduce the travel time and operation costs of vehicles of Champhai, Aizawl and Lunglei bound traffic, but would also enhance the development of entire area, and help the marketing of the agricultural and horticultural produce of the region. This will enhance trading and would also help develop tourism. Adverse environmental impacts of the project include topographic changes in the area due to hill cutting and eventual landslides, materials handling from local resources and marginal rise of air and noise pollution levels. The impacts associated due to the project will be mitigated / compensated through providing appropriate mitigation measures, so that adverse impact will be minimized and development becomes environmentally sound and sustainable. 7.5 Comparison of without and with project Following table7.4 compares implications of without and with up-gradation of Champhai – Zokhawthar in terms of technical, social and environmental consequences. Table 7.4 Comparison of options without and With up-gradation scenario of C-Z Road S.N. Parameter/ factor Unit With the existing With upgraded alignment alignment Length Meters 28.5 km 26 km 1. PWD Mizoram 90 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Proposed Row Meters 20 24 2. Approximate land to be Hectere 34.2 64.2 acquired 3. 4. Impact on Agricultural Hectere 10.26 18.72 land 5. Forest land affected Hectere 0.28 0.28 Approximate cost of land Rupees in 300 170 to be acquired million 6. PAPs affected Number 1881 632 7. Approximate Structures likely to be affected Number 356 61 8. 9. Approximate Community Number 18 05 properties likely to be affected Number of trees likely to 1927 be affected Number 3201 10. Cost of Resettlement and Rupees in 13.6 51.5 rehabilitation million 11. 12. Civil construction cost Rupees in 2441.40 2441.00 Million 13. Landslide damage Low/ Moderate Low potential Moderate/ High 14. Impact on Water sources, Number 2 Nil number 15. Impact on Cultural sites Number 2 Nil 16. Impact on Bio-diversity ha nil nil rich area (important species, habitat etc) 17. Sharp curve with risk of number 9 nil traffic accidents 18. Travel time Increase Reduce 19. Transportation cost Increase Reduce PWD Mizoram 91 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 20. Vehicle operation cost Increase Reduce 21. Employment opportunity Status -quo Increase Note: Landslide and slope instability risk is judged by the EA team based on the nature of the slope, geology, and water. A high risk is assigned if the geology of the area is weak, slope is high and there is water seepage. Low risk area has gentle slope with no visible landslips occurring and no water seepage. There is chance of cutting trees during construction of new alignment but trees to be cut are all local trees (not endangered species) and mostly bamboo culms. As vegetation growth in the area is very high, so compensatory plantation measures suggested in EMP will overcome the impact in minimum time. The re-alignment route is not habitat or migratory route of any wildlife. It will not lead to loss of any habitat or interfere with migratory route. Risk of traffic accident is high in the existing road as there are dwellings on both side of the road and a number of curves. No major landslide or slope instability risk is identified in the re-alignment section. Hence landslide and slope instability risk is also low. Based on comparison of existing alignment with upgraded alignment it may be concluded that upgraded alignment is better than the existing alignment because it will enhance the quality of life of the people along the road as well as the people of that region. PWD Mizoram 92 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Map 7.1: Project road showing Diversion / Realignment PWD Mizoram 93 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II . Figure 7.1: Diversion/Realignment – 1 The existing route cutting through busy Champhai town. The proposed new alignment through virgin land. There will be a 4.00Km long spur connection to Champhai-Tiau (Zokhaethar) road which will connect Champhai-Hnahlan road Zero point. PWD Mizoram 94 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 7.2: Diversion/Realignment – 2 for Mualkawi Village PWD Mizoram 95 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure 7.3: Diversion/Realignment – 3 (Melbuk Village & Zokhawthar Village) PWD Mizoram 96 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER 8 - ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS 8.1 Background Improvement of Champhai – Zokhawthar road in MSRP-2 project involves major up- gradation works including relaying of pavement and widening it to 7.0 m for up-gradation corridor. At almost all locations, the existing alignment is followed. Only at critical locations where the engineering, environmental and social aspects have warranted, a shift from the existing alignment has been proposed. The impacts on various environmental components can occur at any of the following stages of the project planning and implementation:  Planning and design stage;  Construction stage; and  Operation stage. 8.2 Identification and assessment of impacts The proposed project will have both positive and negative impacts on the surrounding environment. This chapter assesses the nature, type and magnitude of the potential negative impacts on the various relevant physical, biological and cultural environmental components along the project corridor. For the assessment of impacts, the baseline information has been supplemented by the field visits and the primary surveys of the various environmental components carried out during the study. 8.3 Natural & Biophysical environment 8.3.1 METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS Though no change in the macro-climatic setting (precipitation, temperature and wind) is envisaged due to the project, the microclimate is likely to be temporarily modified by the loss of vegetation all along the roadside hill slopes. This shall result in increased micro temperatures, as the rock faces stand exposed devoid of shade giving vegetation. Moisture PWD Mizoram 97 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II loss from the soil will also increase due to loss of cover. Cumulatively, the construction of the road will make itself felt in terms of increased temperatures. As such no change in the wind patterns or precipitation is envisaged as only the roadside hill faces up to height of 10- 20m are likely to be cut. Although the impact is insignificant, it is reversible nature and shall be compensated for by additional plantation of trees and groundcover. All the lost vegetation cover shall be replaced in 2-3 years and microclimatic condition will return to its original state within 2-3 years. Therefore, the overall impact on meteorology of the region is insignificant and has been categorized as low. 8.3.2 Physical Settings The impact on physical settings means the impact of the project on Land Use, Geomorphology, Drainage, Geology, Soils erosion problem, Material Quarry area and Borrow Pits etc. Impacts on the above elements during construction and operation of the project have been discussed in the subsequent sections. 8.3.2.1 Impact on Land and Land use Construction Stage. The project road is proposed to be compatible with NH. Accordingly it has been proposed to provide carriageway width of double lane standards. The formation width has also been proposed for 12m. The cross-drainage structures like 112 culverts are also proposed to be of two-lane standards. Loss of agriculture land. Implementations of the project need acquisition of 48 ha of agriculture land. This may be classified as;  Jhum land – 35.8 ha  Tiau river valley land – 10.7 ha  Champhai valley land – 1.5 ha  Forest land - 0.28 ha PWD Mizoram 98 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The Jhum land is 35.8 ha which is used for traditional Jhum cultivation. Agriculture is the mainstay in Mizoram, with about 70% of the population dependent on agriculture. Shifting cultivation (Jhum) in Mizoram is cultivation on a periodic cycle on the hilly slopes, over a traditional 8-year cycle. With the increasing pressure on land, the Jhum cycle has come down to 3 or 4 years. Loss of Jhum land will have impact on agriculture production. The Champhai valley land – are the prime agriculture land. These types of land are only present in Champhai valley. These are only irrigated land in Mizoram and used for Paddy production throughout the year and produce paddy three times in a year. Loss of 1.5 ha of prime agriculture land will have impact on rice production of Mizoram. Tiau river valley land are also prime agriculture land and used for paddy production. Loss of 10.7 ha of riverine prime agriculture land will have impact on rice production of Mizoram. It is envisaged that at locations of Worker’s camp, stockyards, storage go-downs etc. if these are located on fertile areas there will be impact on productivity of the soil in future. In the proposed project there is provision of earth fill high embankments. This will require huge quantity of earth. Fallow land is scare as most part of the project area passes through hilly area. Provision has been made in EMP to ensure that no productive areas are used for these purposes. Effort has been proposed that earth generated during cutting will be used for the high embankment and other filling purposes. A guide line has been given in the EMP document for use of earth generated during hill cutting to minimize the impact on agriculture lands and hence the productivity of the soil. If EMP will be followed during implementation of the project then the impact on soil productivity will be low in nature. Destabilization of slopes and erosion. Slopes in project stretch are generally of shale and rockbound clays, which have poor strength and stability in cuts. Cutting of the hill faces to widen the road will have direct and long-term impact on various factors including stability of hills, safety, loss of vegetation, etc. Some of the impacts due to cutting of the hill are  Disruption to stability of the cut slopes. PWD Mizoram 99 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Modification of drainage patterns and resulting erosion.  Denudation of the hill slope, which triggers various secondary impacts.  Increase in overburden on the valley slopes due to dumping of the debris from cut slopes resulting in their instability. When natural conditions are modified by the construction activity, it marks the start of a race between the appearance of erosion and the growth of vegetation. Disturbances of the slopes will result in erosion, which will further trigger cumulative impacts far beyond the road itself, affecting slope stability, increasing turbidity in downstream water sources and causing other impacts as well. However, geological profile along the C-Z Road corridor indicates bedding planes of the rock formation to be in favourable direction, due to which project corridor is stable and potentiality of land slide is less. Following locations have been identified as the vulnerable locations for landslides, due to unfavorable direction of bedding planes, opening of joint planes and joint planes dipping towards the road as well as the possible locations of soil slippage as well as possible impacts in these sites: Km. 8+700 , Km. 8+900, Km. 9+400, Km. 14+900, Km15+300,Km 15+500 Km 15+900,Km16+300,Km. 18+600,Km 19+200, Km 22+800 During construction following area will be considered as land slide risk zone and will contribute more land slide – Km 7+640 to Km 9+200 and Km 17+050 to Km 24+300. Slope destabilization and soil erosion is a potentially significant adverse impact, particularly in the core impact zone. Potential mitigation measures that needs to be taken at vulnerable locations are worked out as presented in Chapter 9 (Avoidance and Mitigation of Impacts). Impact on Land Use. Preparatory activities like use of existing access roads with/without improvements, construction of new haul roads, construction of temporary staff quarters, camp, and storage go-downs, stockyards etc. will be spread over the entire project area. This will change the land use pattern of the project influence area for a temporary period. PWD Mizoram 100 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II In the EMP provision has been made to ensure proper restoration of the land after the use. Though it will be a direct impact but the scale will be low in nature except marginally altering the land use pattern in these places for a short period. Operation Phase. The project is a road-development project and as stated earlier it requires about 48 ha of land for development of the road. So land use pattern of the acquired land and the existing vacant land will change permanently. This will be a direct impact on land use pattern but side by side it will improve the socioeconomic condition of the area, which is a positive social impact. Due to the development of the new roads there are chances of economic development and in the long run there is chance of ribbon development along the roads in most of the commercial areas which will have additional impact on the land use pattern of the project area in long run. 8.3.2.2 Geology and Drainage Geology The construction and operation of the project road will have no any significant impact on the regional geology. Drainage Construction stage. There are more than 112 water channels in the form of streams and nallah cascading down the hills of the up-gradation corridor. The proposed road entails cutting of the hill slopes to accommodate the widened road. Alteration of these drainage regimes brought about by road building can induce instability through erosion or release of pore pressure. The resultant impact could also bring out a new drainage pattern altogether, which has the potential to trigger other impacts. The project is crossing over many canals and streams. Provision has been made in the EMP that during construction of the road contractor will adopt all possible measure not to disturb the flow of any natural and irrigation channel. No natural drainage channel will be PWD Mizoram 101 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II diverted during the construction of the road. So Impact on drainage during construction stage will be insignificant. Operation Stage. Sufficient number of cross drainage structure like culverts and bridges have been provided in the design so that widening of road and construction of embankments will not impede the normal flow of the water channels in the operation stage. Hence impact will be insignificant. In project road during field visit it was noticed that cross drainage structures which are in the form of hume pipe culvert or slab culvert are not adequate for drainage and water flow on the road and damage the road. The problem may be due to following:  Lack of proper calculation of catchment area and volume water and selection of size of the drainage structure and drain  Lack of cleaning of the drains and catch pits. It was also noticed that most of the culvert got damaged due to erosion problem at the outlet of the culverts which in turn creating problem to the settlement and agriculture land below. Drain out fall. Roadside drain outfall in the hill, sometime, leads to erosion and flooding/ stream bank scouring. Selection of proper outlet point and provision of erosion and scouring protection measures may be needed around the drain outlet points. 8.3.2.3 Impact on Soil Construction Phase Earthwork for Up-gradation corridor and dumping of spoils. Construction of the road will involve substantial quantities of earthworks including rock cuts. While balancing a portion of this excavated material has been achieved by designing the road in fill, massive quantities of cut material shall have to be disposed off. The quantities of the excavated material estimated to be used for the road construction and disposal at the dumping sites are as follows: Earthwork in cutting - 1.05million cubic metres PWD Mizoram 102 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Material used in road works - 0.32 million cubic meters Earthwork to be disposed at dumping sites. - 0.73 million cubic metres Dumping of excess spoil is a highly significant and a major environmental concern with multitude of environmental implications. Dumping of spoils/ debris/ construction material is likely to result impacts including triggering slope destabilization/landslide &erosion, destruction of agricultural land/ irrigation/ property, disruption of natural drainages, degradation of water bodies /siltation/ turbidity, degradation of vegetation/ vegetation cover, loss of bio-diversity, etc. Potential sites for dumping10 have been selected in such a way that these are away from the habitation and hence impact of dust on humans due to dumping of debris is not anticipated. Generation of dust due to debris disposal can be minimized through judicious selection of dumping grounds. The impacts due to disposal of debris shall be minimized by enforcing requisite precautions by the contractor. Loss of agriculture productive soil. The most immediate, direct and long-term effect of cutting of the slopes is the elimination of the productive capacity and topsoil. Removal of topsoil will not only have implications in terms of loss of micronutrients to sustain growth of vegetation but also other socially useful plants and crops such as bamboo etc. It has been estimated that 48 ha of agriculture land will be transformed in to road permanently and loss of productive soil. About 0.28 ha of forest land will also get transformed into road permanently. Impacts due to Quarrying and Borrowing operations. Impacts due to quarrying will last for the construction period. The aggregate for construction shall be procured only from quarries operating with NoC from mining and geology department and with permission from forest department. Extraction of stones and development of quarries will also lead to loss of soil. No borrowing of river sand is proposed. This will be substituted by stone dust, which will be procured from licensed quarries 10 Refer section 9.1.4.6. In chapter 9 (12 dump sites) PWD Mizoram 103 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The average embankment height of the project road is 1m and in some places 3m to 3.5m (high embankment regions) which requires quantity of material for embankment construction. For the construction of shoulder and sub-base considerable amount of earth material is required. Material considered for the same is will be taken from the barren land and debris the project area and will be transported from shortest possible distance. Provision has been made in the EMP that borrows areas will be selected as per the guideline of the EMP: for example spoil generated need to be reused for filling and other purposes. River banks and fertile agriculture lands will not be used as borrow area. In some places the depression formed due to extraction of soil from the field will be used as ground water recharge area and will also act as a water body. Provision has been made in EMP to ensure that no productive areas are used for these purposes. Effort has been proposed that earth generated during cutting will be used for the high embankment and other filling purposes. Use of fresh earth will be minimum. A guide line has been given in the EMP document for use of earth generated during hill cutting to minimize the impact on agriculture lands and hence the productivity of the soil. If EMP will be followed during implementation of the project then the impact on soil will be low in nature. Hence, proposed improvement of the C-Z Road is unlikely to have highly significant adverse impact on soil of the locality. Soil Erosion. All major construction activities tend to create certain changes in the soil condition of the area. Excavation denudes the topsoil and makes it loose. Destruction of topsoil leads to reduction of fertility and removal of vegetation cover with associated hazards of soil erosion. Hill cutting and dumping of spoil in improper dumpsite without erosion protection measures will lead to soil erosion. Construction of contractor’s camp will also lead such problems. During construction of high embankments there is chances of soil erosion due to rain-wash especially during the monsoon but provision for slope protection measures has been PWD Mizoram 104 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II provided in the design. Implementation of such protection measures during construction11 of the road will not create any adverse impact on erosion potentiality of the embankments. Provision has been made in the EMP for proper disposal of earth spoil and guideline for Selection dumpsites and disposal techniques of spoil and its management. If EMP will be followed properly then impact will be minimum. Operation Stage. During the operation phase the soil condition of the project site would be allowed to stabilize. The topsoil in the dumpsites areas would be restored and major portions of the area would be subjected to extensive plantation. In case with the other highways it has already been observed that the highways pass through old stable soil and presently the impact of soil erosion from these highways is very less. There may be chances of soil erosion at high embankment. But, the impact will be minimum as due consideration has been given for the slope protection in high embankment areas during embankment design12. 8.3.2.4 Impact of Quarry operation Construction Phase. Construction materials for GSB, WMM, DBM ,BC, Cross drainage & Masonry R/Wall etc. works, will be available at Patea (Champhai) ,Pa Zualtea (Zotlang) , Zarzoliana , Tuichang and C.Malsawma Khawzawl quarry. Sand from local stream has been proposed for road construction. No quarry is available on the C-Z Road and within 5 Km distance from the project area. Potential quarry identified above are outside the project area. Project proposes that the quantity of stone aggregates for the road construction (pavement and concrete) works is to be sourced from the above existing quarry sites and hauled to work sites. As the above mentioned quarry sites are sufficient to the requirement of C-Z Road improvements, there is no need to open a new quarry site. Therefore no major additional impact on environment / natural resource is anticipated. The existing stone quarries that may be used for getting material for the C-Z Road also, may or may not have environment management plan. In 11 As suggested in EMP 12 Refer DPR for Protective designs of high embankments PWD Mizoram 105 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II such situation, contractor will submit environmental due diligence report of the stone quarries for the approval of the PIU/ Supervision Consultant/ Environmental Specialist prior to sourcing material from the quarry. Any new quarry, if needed during construction, can only be opened with prior approval of quarry management plan by the environmental specialist/ PIU and supervision consultant/ Environmental Specialist as well as by State Pollution control Board. Operation Phase. As discussed earlier no quarry sites are getting to be exhausted since the available stone materials are more than sufficient. During the operation phase there will be least impact from quarry operation or sourcing materials from quarry as the stone requirement during the operation phase will be negligible because material required for maintenance of the road very less. 8.3.2.5 IMPACTS ON AIR QUALITY Construction stage. Along almost the entire up-gradation corridor, widening is to be carried out by cutting the hill rather than filling up the valley. Air quality along the project corridor will be adversely impacted both during the construction and initial few years of operation till the slopes are stabilized. Since massive cutting is involved, effects of the increased particulate (PM10 and SPM)13 concentrations during pre-splitting/blasting and earthworks will dominate the construction stage impacts. Localized degradation in air quality will occur in areas close to hot-mix plants and batching plants. Generation of dust. Generation of dust is the most likely impact during this stage due to:  Cutting of slopes towards hillside for widening of the Up-gradation corridor  Activation of Landslides and rock fall etc during construction  Quarrying operations  Handling and storage of aggregates in the asphalt plants:  Concrete batching plants;  Asphalt mix plants due to mixing of aggregates with bitumen; and  Construction and allied activities on new re-alignments. 13 PM10 (Particulate matter <10µ) and SPM – Suspended Particulate Matter PWD Mizoram 106 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The impacts will mostly be concentrated in the Right of Way. It is likely that impacts due to dust generation are felt downwind of the site rather than on the site itself. Generation of dust will trigger further secondary impacts which are likely to be more severe, prime among which is impact on health of construction workers, especially workers in quarries, borrow areas and stone crushing units. Generation of Dust is envisaged during operation for the first 3-4 years till the cut slopes are relatively stabilized and covered with vegetation. In the dry seasons during the operation stage, dust is likely to be generated from cut sections or slope faces. Dumping of debris – source of dust. Since substantial cutting is envisaged along the up- gradation corridor and fill sections are short and the disposal of the excess cut material poses a real problem for the project. This will have to be done during the construction period and before road works begin. Both, transportation and tipping of the material are sources of dust into the environment. While the former is felt over the entire stretch between the cutting location and dumping site, the latter is more location specific albeit more intense. Potential sites for dumping have been selected in such a way that these are away from the habitation and hence impact of dust on humans due to dumping of debris is not anticipated. Generation of dust due to debris disposal can be minimized through judicious selection of dumping grounds. The impacts due to disposal of debris shall be minimized by enforcing requisite precautions by the contractor. The impacts will mostly be concentrated in the Right of Way. It is likely that impacts due to dust generation are felt downwind of the site rather than on the site itself. Generation of dust will trigger further secondary impacts which are likely to be more severe, prime among which is impact on health of construction workers, especially workers in quarries, borrow areas and stone crushing units. Generation of Dust is envisaged during operation for the first 3-4 years till the cut slopes are relatively stabilized and covered with vegetation. In the dry seasons during the operation stage, dust is likely to be generated from cut sections or slope faces. PWD Mizoram 107 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Generation of exhaust gases. Generation of exhaust gases is likely during the construction stage due to movement of heavy machinery, oil tankers etc. Movement of heavy machinery and vehicles uphill on steep slopes shall contribute to relatively higher emissions of gases. High levels of SO2, HC and NOx are likely from hot mix plant operations. In the construction period the type of effect is limited to construction vehicles like dampers, trucks and other construction vehicles. The movement of these heavy vehicles through haulage roads will have air and noise pollution problems in pollution free areas. Particulate matter would be the predominant pollutant affecting the air quality during the construction phase. Mostly the construction heavy vehicles will generate undesirable gases such as SO2, NOx, and CO. However, this would not lead to any tangible effects, as the expected traffic volume is very low and are mostly concentrated to the construction camp areas, haulage roads etc.. Volatile & toxic gases are released through heating of bitumen during the production of hot mix. Although the impact is much localized, (with in 500m) the effect shall be felt in the downwind direction. Implementation of the EMP will minimize the problems significantly. Operation stage. Generation of dust. Generation of Dust is envisaged during operation for the first 3-4 years till the cut slopes are relatively stabilized and covered with vegetation. In the dry seasons during the operation stage, dust is likely to be generated from cut sections or slope faces. Generation of gases. It has been found that due to faster movement (60 km/hr) and good pavement condition impact on air quality in terms of concentration of carbon monoxide, Oxides of nitrogen and Hydrocarbon will be insignificant i.e. concentrations of the pollutants will be well within the limit of the CPCB14 Government of India for residential and sensitive areas. Vehicular emission is a major contributor to the air pollution both in urban and rural environment. The vehicular emissions are determined by several factors like fuel composition, level of engine maintenance, vehicle age, speed and congestion, traffic and road condition. Human health, terrestrial flora and faunal health are the most immediate receptors of the vehicular pollution/emissions. 14 CPCB- Central Pollution Control Board PWD Mizoram 108 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Simulation model used. TRRL model developed by the Transport Road Research Laboratory, U.K has been used for air-quality modeling. The model considered forecasted traffic up to the year 2035 and the emissions factors recommended by the Indian Institute of Petroleum, an autonomous body of Government of India mentioned below: Diesel Driven Vehicles Speed Pollut 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 ant CO 37.80 18.80 12.53 9.40 7.52 6.27 5.37 4.70 NOx 66.83 33.42 22.28 16.71 13.37 11.14 9.55 8.36 Petrol Vehicles (Independent of speed) Pollut Cars Two wheelers Three Wheelers ant CO 2.72 2.0 4.0 NOx 0.58 0.05 0.05 The projected concentrations at all stages of the Project Highway development were within the National Ambient Air Quality except for the suspended particulate matter. The construction of improved highway will provide improved speed for the through traffic and reduction in congestion of traffic and improved pavement. So the project development will not have any significant impact on the air quality along the roadside as compared to present situation. As the 50% of the proposed road is on a virgin land and most of the residential areas are away from the proposed alignment i.e. at least 50m away from the edge of the road, so it will have no any significant impact on the residential areas due to road construction. The highway construction will provide service areas, parking lay-byes and rest areas away from the human settlements, thereby diverting the trucks and other vehicles away from the human settlements/villages This will aid in improvement of air quality near the human settlements/villages along highway particularly at nighttime, PWD Mizoram 109 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Government of India is committed EURO III& IV emission norms and providing cleaner fuels, the emissions can be expected to be lower than present levels in the coming years with the increased availability and usage of cleaner fuels. Major impact on air quality during operation stage will be due to plying of vehicles. The impacts on air quality will, at any given time depend upon traffic volume/rate of vehicular emission within a given stretch and prevailing meteorological conditions. Since even at the end of the design life the vehicular traffic is unlikely to exceed 3000 PCU per day, the level of emissions of concern from the traffic during operation phase is quite low. 8.3.2.6 Impact on Water Resources Impact on Surface water Construction stage. Impacts on Streams and nallah. The upgradation corridor between Champhai and Zokhawthar do not crosses any river only some small streams - Vawmkaw Lui at km 22.400, Dil Lui at km21.900, Saisih at km 7.900 , Tuipui hnar at km 2.8000 , Verhpui lui at km 3.6 and theiba lui at lm 23.700. These streams are perennial and shall be subject to adverse impacts especially during the construction period as:  There are chances of improper drainage of wastewater from the construction sites and thereby the formation of stagnant pool. The stagnant pool will promote breeding of mosquitoes and create generally insanity conditions. If this waste water get channelized in to the stream it will contaminate the streams. But implementation of the guidelines as provided in EMP in construction camp will minimize all such problems.  During construction of culverts, in addition to disposal of the spoils into the riverbed, the increased sediment load due to the constricted waterway and consequent increased sediment load will cause increased turbidity downstream of the culvert location. Discharge of culvert construction wastewater with high concentration of suspended solid load will disturb the aquatic ecosystem of the receiving water body. But implementation of the guidelines as provided in EMP for culverts construction sites will minimize all such problems. PWD Mizoram 110 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Impact on the streams can be minimized if the culverts construction is taken up in the lean flow season.  Liquid and solid waste discharges from petroleum; oil and lubricant (POL) storage areas, work force camps and all other operational areas may impact the water quality of the receiving water body if disposed off directly. But implementation of the guidelines as provided in EMP in construction camp will minimize all such problems.  Construction workers’ camps pose another major problem unless located in a planned manner. Sewage generated from these camps, unless disposed in a safe manner, can lead to problems of contamination of surface water sources.  Effluents from the hot-mix plants in the form of oil, grease, etc., if not contained and disposed properly could lead to pollution of land and water in the adjacent areas. This impact would be more pronounced in the km 0+500 to km 4+000, contaminating soil in agricultural fields and at 4+950 at the pond location. 112 culverts and Hume pipes have also been proposed for streams and canals. Thus these developmental activities will not have any significant impact on existing drainage systems. Impacts on Pond. Along the project corridor, ponds owned by individuals residing in Champhai, Zotlang and Ruantlang at chainages 0.3 km, 2.15 km, 2.22 km, 2.265 km, 3.00 km, 4.525 km and 4.685 km are observed, and others water bodies are also observed within 200 m along the proposed alignment between 10.71 km – 12.20 km. These ponds near the road are likely to be impacted during construction. The mechanism of contamination of the ponds will be same as discussed for streams and nallahas. Operation Phase. Accidental spillage and highway runoff containing hazardous material may contaminate the receiving surface water body and the aquatic ecosystem may be disturbed. Garbage dumping on highways may also contaminate the aquatic eco-system. Waste discharge from the wayside amenities and the storm water run-off from the Project highway may impact the watercourses. But implementation of the guidelines as provided in EMP during operation will minimize all such problems. Impacts on Ground Water Resources Construction Phase. In addition to these surface drainage channels, there are a number of hand pumps located along the up-gradation corridor which are used by the local community. PWD Mizoram 111 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II A total of 3 hand pumps are to be impacted due to widening of the project road. Since ground water table is lower in the region as also being highly dynamic with large flows seeping into the streams, impact on the ground water quality due to the project, is insignificant. The area lost for recharge due to construction of black top is restricted to the CoI hence; the impact on ground water recharge is also not significant. Construction workers’ camps pose another major problem unless located in a planned manner. Sewage generated from these camps, unless disposed in a safe manner, can lead to problems of contamination of the ground water. Effluents from the hot-mix plants in the form of oil, grease, etc., if not contained and disposed properly could lead to pollution of land and water in the adjacent areas. This impact would be more pronounced in the km 0+500 to km 4+000, contaminating soil in agricultural fields Due to good availability of surface water resources along the project road throughout the year the construction water demand will be mainly depended on surface water not on Ground Water Resources. In some places especially water for the work force camps and construction activities ground water will be required but the quantity will be less. Therefore, there will be no potential impacts on ground water for the construction works. The average recommended ground water yield of the region is up to 40 cum. per hour for shallow tube wells, 50-100 cum- per hour for medium tube wells and up to 200 cum. per hour for deep tube wells. Consultation with Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), revealed the fact that considering the ground water yield/potential construction water demand for highway construction works would not have any significant impact on the geo-hydrology of the region. Operation Phase. During operation of the highways there will be no any impact on the ground water sources except percolation of accidental spillage or hazardous material, if any in future. 8.3.2.7 Noise and vibration impact s Construction stage. Potential noise affected receptors in C-Z Road include the settlements along the road, and the workers during construction stage. Noise levels during the pre - construction stage shall be prevalent baseline levels apart from localised noise levels at locations where pre construction stage activities are taking place such PWD Mizoram 112 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II as at workers camps, stockyards. These increased noise levels will prevail only for a short duration during the pre-construction stage. Moreover, as these activities are not likely to be near settlements15 impact due to increased noise will be negligible. Due to various construction activities, there will be temporary noise impacts in the immediate vicinity of the project corridor. The construction activities will include excavation for foundation, grading of the site and construction of structures and facilities. Crushing plants, asphalt production plants, movement of heavy vehicles, loading, transportation and unloading of construction materials produce significant noise during construction stage. Typical noise levels associated with various construction activities and various construction equipment are presented in Table 8.3: Table 8.3: Typical noise levels of principal construction equipments (Noise Level in dB (A) at 50 Feet) CLEARING STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION Bulldozer 80 Crane 75-77 Front end loader 72-84 Welding generator 71-82 Jack hammer 81-98 Concrete mixer 74-88 Crane with ball 75-87 Concrete pump 81-84 Concrete vibrator 76 EXCAVATION & EARTH MOVING Air compressor 74-87 Bulldozer 80 Pneumatic tools 81-98 Backhoe 72-93 Bulldozer 80 Front end loader 72-84 Cement and dump trucks 83-94 Dump truck 83-94 Front end loader 72-84 Jack hammer 81-98 Dump truck 83-94 Scraper 80-93 Paver 86-88 GRADING AND COMPACTING LANDSCAPING AND CLEAN-UP Grader 80-93 Bulldozer 80 Roller 73-75 Backhoe 72-93 Truck 83-94 PAVING Front end loader 72-84 Paver 86-88 Dump truck 83-94 Truck 83-94 Paver 86-88 Tamper 74-77 Dump truck 83-94 Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Noise From Construction Equipment and Operations. Building Equipment and Home Appliances. NJID. 300.1. December 31. 1971 Noise generated from these machines will have impact on the potential receptors as mentioned above. Though the noise levels presented for various construction activities far exceed the permissible standards16, it is important to note that the construction noise is generally 15 As per EMP camp will be outside of any settlement boundary (at least 500m away) PWD Mizoram 113 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II intermittent and depends on the type of operation, location and function of the equipment. Though the noise level is within permissible limit in project area, the construction traffic and the use of construction machinery will increase the noise level causing, disturbance to the local residents. Blasting to cut into the hillsides is another important source of noise. Though intermittent, extremely high sound pressure levels present a real risk to the workers on the site. Operation stage. The operation stage impacts are of relatively less significance since the anticipated traffic volumes are quite low. Even by 2030 A.D., the traffic projections show that average daily traffic is unlikely to exceed 3000 PCU. Though the level of discomfort caused by noise is subjective, there is a definite increase in discomfort with an increase in noise levels. Road noise depends on factors such as traffic intensity, the type and condition of the vehicles plying on the road, acceleration/deceleration/gear changes by the vehicles depending on the level of congestion, smoothness of road surface (IRC: 104-1988) and grade of the road. Thus, the increased noise levels are restricted to the construction phase only. Vibration. Sources of vibration include blasting, operation of heavy construction plants & equipment, and movement of construction traffic during construction. Vibration could cause slope instabilities/ slips17, and detrimental effects on the standing structures near the source of the vibration. The potentially risk locations where such risk exists in C-Z Road include the following chainage km- 7+050 to Km 7+150, Km 7+300 to Km 7+600, Km 10+100 to Km 10+740, Km 11+ 430 to Km 11+50, Km 12+800 to Km 13+200, Km 15+450 to Km 16+200, Km 18+500 to Km 19+000,Km 20+550 to Km 21+2400, Km 22+900 to Km 23+400. 16 Noise rule ,2010, MOEF Govt of India and table 5.9 17 See section For discussion on potential risk of slope destabilization and erosion. PWD Mizoram 114 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 8.4 Biological Environment Construction stage Impact on Forest. Forest clearance for the project road was sought from the concerned authorities in the prescribed Form vide Public Works Department, Mizoram for a land totalling 0.28 hectares which is a forest plantation area from km 9+300 to km 9+530 . The application, accompanied by a map showing the proposed alignment in the prescribed scale also clearly mentioned that the alignment was the best possible one. The Forest authorities accordingly conducted a detailed survey of the alignment and the following is the findings of that survey:  The proposed road alignment does not form part of National Park, wild life sanctuary, biosphere reserve, tiger reserve, elephant corridor, etc.  No rare/endangered/unique species of flora and fauna are found in the area.  No protected archeological/heritage site /defence establishment or any other important monument is located in the area.  The requirement of forestland as proposed by the user agency in is unavoidable and barest minimum for the project. No alternative for the project exists.  No work in violation of the Forest Act has been carried out. After due verification and assessment, the Estimate for Net Present Value and Compensatory Afforestation has been duly framed by the concerned Mizoram Forest Authorities. Loss of road side plantation & forest cover. Cutting of hill faces for the proposed widening means a loss of vegetation cover to the cut heights of almost 5-10 m on an average. Based on a most conservative estimate, about 693 trees and 300 bamboo clumps will be felled in the entire project corridor due to earth cutting along the hillside of the road. Potential affected area will be the forest plantation area, i.e. 230m of the alignment (Km 9+300 to 9+530) is passing through forest plantation area. PWD Mizoram 115 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II In addition, ground cover, bryophytes & pteridophytes are likely to be lost during construction, along the road and at locations where construction camp and yard are sited. The cutting of the slopes may trigger further landslides, which may bring down with it the green cover of the higher reaches. Impacts on endangered species of Fauna and flora. Within the project corridor, the vegetation and fauna include the common herb, shrub, trees and some domesticated animals. No any endangered species of plant and animals have been reported within the project corridor. Indirect impact on medicinal plants is possible. The recorded medicinal herbs are commonly available in the area and state. Induced impacts on forest and biodiversity, such as increased use / trade of forest biodiversity (non-timber products, herbs and wood) from workers during construction and from increase in roadside settlements during operation is possible. EMP includes measures to avoid or minimize impacts on the forest bio-diversity including medicinal plants. Though the plantation of 5, 000 different tree species along the highway and in the rest areas, the bio-diversity may improve in future. The clearing operations of the right of way will not have any impact on wild life species, threatened or endangered spices as these are not known to occur along the right of way of the road and its adjacent areas. The proposed project road is mostly passing through jhum agricultural Land (degraded jhum land) and few settlements and therefore during the operational phase due to traffic growth concentration of air pollutants will not have any significant impact on flora, fauna and human health. A proposal for landscaping has been included in the in EMP as a part of the scope of work. Implementation of the landscaping program will give the area a good scenic beauty and bio- diversity of the area will improve. Due to development of green belt impact on air quality in the settlements will improve and impact on human health will be positive in nature. Impact on medicinal plants. Many herb species were observed. They all were local common species. It is possible that they will be adversely affected when vegetation is affected due to various activities of the project, particularly within the right of way and its immediate surroundings. EMP has provisions to protect them. PWD Mizoram 116 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 8.5 Impact on cultural properties There are no major protected or archaeological monuments to be directly impacted due to the project. However, there are several structures as graves located within the formation width of the road that will be impacted. However, there are local physical cultural sites near the road that may be affected. Impacts on grave yards. The Proposed alignment is passing through five grave yard area Km 3+200 Grave yard and portion of the church in Zotlang village Km 5+450 Grave yard at the side of the road Km 10+500 Grave yard at the side of the road Km 16+ 600 Grave yard at the side of the road Km 24+ 300 Grave yard at the side of the road These are of human sentimental attachments and sometime are of places of cultural and religious interest. Hence during finalisation of the road alignment due consideration has been given to avoid these graveyards to the extent possible, without compromising the technical aspect and safety aspect of the road. Provision will be made in the EMP to protect other such structures along the road which may be impacted during construction, by providing temporary barricade during construction and permanent protection / barricade will be provided to mitigate the impacts during operation of the road so that vehicle should not hit such structures directly because local people wants to preserve these structures because they have sentimental attachment with these structures . Hence impact on such structures will be minimum during construction stage and negligible during operation stage of the road. Chance Find. The upgrading works includes substantial amount of earthwork excavation and cutting along the C-Z Road route. Hence, possibility of findings physical cultural resources during construction may not be ruled out. If physical cultural resource is found during earthwork or other construction activities, the project will follow ”Chance Find” procedures outlined in the EMF (Annexure 18). 8.6 Loss of access The link roads or village roads located towards the hillside of the up-gradation corridor are likely to be impacted in the proposed widening. PWD Mizoram 117 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Although the existing link road alignment and slope shall be integrated with the new up-gradation corridor, adverse impacts in terms of difficulty of access, temporary re-routes etc shall be felt during the construction period. This impact though direct is temporary. The proposed project will have a beneficial impact in terms of improved connectivity and access. There are link roads to every settlement from the up-gradation corridor. 8.7 Road Safety The proposed road will benefit the road users in terms of improved driving conditions and geometrics, which translates into higher vehicle speeds. The change though mutually beneficial to road users as well as the local people increases the risk to life of people living along the edge of the Project Road. The road is not only the lifeline of the local people in terms of connectivity but also a space where all daily activities are carried out. Following are the places/ villages where increased risk to children due to the increased design speeds is likely. 5 Playground 3) Ch 2.600 – 2.800, Zotlang Village 4) Ch 4.400 – 4.500 Ruantlang Village 6 Churches 5) Presbyterian church, Zotlang, 50m RHS Ch 3.650, 6) Presbyterian Church, Mualkawi, 95m RHS, Ch 8.600, 7) Presbyterian Church, Melbuk, 75m RHS, Ch 17.250 8 School 7) Government Comprehensive School, Zotlang 85 m LHS from Ch 3.600, 8) Presbyterian School, Zotlang, 125 m LHS from Ch 3.800, 9) Springdale School, Zotlang, 50m LHS from Ch 4.100, 10) Government Middle School, Mualkawi, 200m LHS from Ch 9.100, 11) St. Joseph School, Zokhawthar, CL,Ch 23.980, 12) Pine Hill Seventh Day Adventist school, 285m RHS from CH 1.340 Spur Road. 8.8 Impact on common property resources A number of common property resources such as community bus stops, public urinals and market shed are located along the C-Z Road corridor. Almost all the villages traversed by the Project road were found to have public urinals along the road. The community common resources located within the CIZ are listed in Table 5.7. During construction of the upgraded road following common property resources will be impacted. PWD Mizoram 118 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Sr.No. Description Nos. Location 1 Public Toilet 1 Ch 0.00 2 Public Urinal 5 Ch4120, Ch4950, Ch10580, Ch11800 & Ch12800 3 Bus Shed 5 Ch9000, Ch10580, Ch11800, Ch12800 & Ch.19700, 4 Bazar Shed 5 Ch 0.00,Ch 3250,Ch 7460,Ch Ch 16920 & Ch 24370 5 Churches 1 8) Presbyterian church, Zotlang, 50m RHS Ch 3.650,part of boundary wall 9 Hand pump 3 Zotlang village, Mualkawi, Melbuk and Zokhawthar All such facilities will be relocated in consultation with the local people and will be reconstructed in suitable locations. 8.9 Other social impacts Social Impacts & Mitigation The social impacts due to the project up-gradation have been separately assessed. A separate Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) has been prepared to compensate the project- affected persons who are likely to be impacted due to the development of the Project. Other social impacts due to the project such as increased risk of HIV/AIDS etc have been dealt with in detail in the R&IPDP. 8.10 Induced impacts 8.10.1 ROAD SIDE DEVELOPMENT Improving connectivity to areas not presently accessible is an objective of the project. Improving access can lead to 119olonization of the roadsides, if there are no controls on development simultaneously in place. This problem will be more pronounced along diversions km 0+000 to 3+000 , Km 7+640 to Km 9+200 and Km 17+050 to Km 24+300 stretch as some of the villages will be located away from the road . PWD Mizoram 119 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 8.10.2 JHUM CULTIVATION With the New Landuse Policy in place, negative impacts associated with Jhum cultivation are likely to be offset. With the improved connectivity due to the road, local populace will be moving towards settled cultivation from the present Jhum cultivation. This phenomenon is observed along the national highway is applicable to this stretch also. Hence, the project is likely to contribute positively towards reduction in Jhum cultivation. 8.10.3 LAND SPECULATION The Proposed project will induce development in its wake development along the improved roads. There is likelihood of land speculation at location of new realignments.. 8.10.4 TOURISM Influx of tourists and visitors may increase due to improved accessibility. This may increase the extraction of forest produce, if uncontrolled. If, on the other hand, eco-tourism can be promoted, the protection, measures to be provided can be made sustainable. 8.10.5 Bio-diversity Improved road will increase visitors, trade and traffic in the area. Influx of workers during construction, and increased travelers as well as road side settlers during operation may increase demand for medicinal plants/ herbs as well as other bio-diversity based resources. Endangered species of fauna and flora is not reported from the C-Z Road right of way and adjacent area. There is already pressure from jhum cultivation and other activities on these resources. Improved access and increased population may increase indirect pressure on medicinal plants/herbs and forest resources. PWD Mizoram 120 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER 9: AVOIDANCE AND MITIGATION OF IMPACTS 9.0 Introduction The Mizoram State Roads Project II (MSRP II) is envisaged to alter (both beneficially and adversely) various environmental components within its area of influence. To minimize the adverse impacts of the project, avoidance and mitigation measures have been formulated and will be implemented during the tenure of the project. These Mitigation measures would be directed towards restoration of dynamic balance of nature. The avoidance measure like not- to-allow construction activities such as excavation, cutting, blasting etc during rainy season (June to October) to avoid landslides/ erosion/ slips during construction and mitigation of negative impacts involves reduction in magnitude of the adverse impacts during various stages of the project through:  Alterations during design, site clearance, construction and operation stages of the road project and  Additional mitigation measures for unavoidable negative impacts on the environmental components. These measures were incorporated into various stages of the project. Based on their applicability, both general and case specific measures were incorporated as follows:  General measures: To avoid or mitigate impacts on environmental components, general mitigation measures were identified based on the characteristic features.  Specific: At various sensitive locations site-specific designs have been formulated as mitigation / compensatory measures for addressing the negative impacts. The following sections detail the mitigation measures adopted as part of the MSRP II- RTCP to minimize the adverse impacts envisaged due to the project. 9.1 NATURAL AND BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 9.1.1 METEOROLOGICAL PARAMETERS Since the impact on meteorological parameters is not expected to be significant, there is little by way of project actions that can effectively alter the overall temperature, rainfall, or PWD Mizoram 121 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II even wind speed patterns of the project area. Whatever localised impacts are anticipated, shall be offset over time by re-vegetation, taken up as part of the compensatory afforestation and additional tree plantation as part of the project along the existing and newly created slopes. However, there would be some lag of 2 to 3 years before the vegetation on the slopes is sufficiently developed. 9.1.2 AIR Impacts on air quality are expected to be of far more serious concern during the construction period than during the operation phase. Several avoidance and mitigation measures have been considered and adopted as part of the environmental management plan to control pollution during the construction period. 9.1.22.1 Mitigation of dust generation and its impact. The asphalt plants, crushers and the batching plants will be sited in the downwind direction from human settlements. A distance of a minimum 500m to 1km from the nearest settlement should be maintained in order to ensure that the concentration of the pollutants from these emissions diffuse enough to be within acceptable limits at settlement locations. All precautions to reduce the dust emissions from the hot mix plants, crushers batching plants and other transportation of materials will be taken up including:  Provision of wind breaking wall, bamboo screens around the sources of dust such as the vibrating screens, conveyors, etc. should be made and regularly checked for all stone crushers used to supply material for the project.  Vehicles delivering loose and fine materials like crusher dust and soil/spoils shall be covered to reduce spills on existing roads  Water will be sprayed on earthworks, temporary haulage and detour roads on a regular basis. During and after compaction of the sub-grade, water will be sprayed at regular intervals to prevent dust generation.  The hot mix plant will be fitted with dust extraction units.  In addition, quarterly monitoring shall be conducted at locations where earthworks or slope cutting operations are taking place. PWD Mizoram 122 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 9.1.2.2 Generation of Exhaust gases. Generation of exhaust gases is a concern especially from hot mix plants. To ensure the control of exhaust gas emissions from various construction activities, the contractor shall take up the following mitigation measures.  An adequate cyclone/scrubber to control emissions from the stack of hot mix plants will be provided. Other measures as planting of vegetation around periphery of the construction sites shall be taken up.  To ensure efficacy of the mitigation measures suggested, air quality monitoring shall be carried out at least once a month during the period the plant is in operation.  Contractors also should be required to obtain regularly Pollution under Control Certificate from Mizoram Pollution Control Board for their equipments and machinery as per prevalent norms. If adequate measures are taken then impacts from generated gases can be effectively controlled.  Use of firewood in construction camps/preparation of asphalt mix shall be banned and kerosene and LPG as alternate fuel shall be supplied.  All vehicles, equipment and machinery used for construction will be regularly maintained to ensure that the pollution emission levels conform to the State Pollution Control Board norms. Also pollution monitoring shall be conducted monthly at all these locations to measure the levels of polluting gases. 9.1.3 MITIGATION OF IMPACT ON SURFACE WATER RESOURCES The construction process is likely to have a significant adverse impact on water resources along the up-gradation road unless adequate measures are framed and executed for the same as part of the EMP. The following mitigation measures shall be adopted to minimize impacts Silt Fencing at Rivers and Water Bodies. To prevent any degradation of water quality of various surface and ground water resources due to the proposed project, the contractor shall work out the following measures during the construction period:  Construction work close to the streams or water bodies must be avoided during monsoon. PWD Mizoram 123 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Discharge standards promulgated under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 for surface water bodies will be strictly adhered to. Various measures that have been proposed for protection of water quality along the corridor have been detailed below. Silt fencing will be provided to prevent sediments from the construction site entering into the nearby watercourses at;  Vawmkaw Lui at km 22.400,  Dil Lui at km21.900,  Saisih at km 7.900 ,  Tuipui hnar at km 2.8000 ,  Verhpui lui at km 3.6 and  theiba lui at lm 23.700. Silt fencing will be provided to prevent sediments from the construction site entering into the nearby ponds at;  chainages 0.3 km,  chainage 2.15 km,  chainage 2.22 km,  chainage 2.265 km,  chainage 3.00 km,  chainage 4.525 km and  chainage 4.685 km. Silt fencing consists of geotextile (MIRAFI 140N or equivalent) with extremely small size supported by a wire-mesh mounted on a panel made up of angle frame. Modules of 625mm each are designed to allow ease of handling and construction. It is expected that a single person will be able to drive the angles 300 mm into the ground by pressing from the top. The frame will be installed at the edge of stockpile of material at water body along which construction is in progress. The wire-mesh will provide structural stability and the 25x25x3 mm angle section will act as posts for the silt fencing. The number of such units to be installed will be decided depending upon the length of the water body along the side of the road construction. Oil Interceptors at Fuel Storage areas/Construction Camps. Oil and Grease from road run-off is a concern during construction. During construction, discharge of Oil and Grease is PWD Mizoram 124 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II most likely from vehicle parking areas of the contractors’ camps. Thus, the source is well defined and restricted.  Location of all fuel storage and vehicle cleaning area will be at least 300 m from the nearest drain/ water body.  In addition, the maintenance and repairs of vehicles will be carried out in a manner such that contamination of water bodies and drainage channels can be avoided.  Oil and grease interceptors will be provided in the fuel storage and vehicle cleaning areas, as well as workshop, repair and parking areas. In the interceptor, oil from water is separated by gravity. Enough detention time is provided for run-off entering the chamber to allow oil to float on to the surface.  The slopes of embankments leading to water bodies will be modified and re-channelised to prevent entry of contaminants into the water body. Mitigation of conflict with local community for construction water  Judicious use of existing water resources Water for construction will have to be procured from river and hauled or pumped to the construction site. The contractor will arrange for water required for construction in such a way that the water availability and supply to nearby communities remain unaffected. While working across or close to perennial water bodies, the Contractor will not impede or block any flow of water. If for any drainage work, containment of flow is required, the Contractor will seek approval of the Engineer appointed by Supervision Consultant. The Engineer will have the right to ask the Contractor to serve notice on all downstream users in advance of any closure. Construction over and close to any non-perennial streams shall be carried out in the dry season. Construction over drainage channel should be carried out such that disruption to the flows is minimised and high quality of water is maintained. Construction will be undertaken with permission of the Department of Irrigation. The Contractor may use natural sources of water subject to the provision that any claim arising out of conflicts with other users of the said natural sources will be resolved by him. PWD Mizoram 125 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Water harvesting on Hillside Harvesting of natural runoff was observed at a few locations on the hillside. Water can be harvested on hillside by constructing small check dams along the natural contour of the hillside where space is available. Water can thus be harvested along the natural course of the stream at available levels along the hill slope (for details refer EMP).  Water Harvesting on the Valley Side It was observed along the C-Z Road that small check dams (up to 1.5m high) can be constructed on the valley side to stop the outflow of natural water from culverts. Harvesting at valley sides would be especially manageable at sharp bends/curves of the Project Road (for detail refers EMP).  Water Harvesting at Locations of Realignment It is also feasible to store water at locations (on valley side) where the road has been realigned at sharp bends to straighten out curves and improve road geometrics. Runoff from waterfalls/streams can be stored in the reservoir created by the natural curve of the road and the retaining wall of the proposed road. (for detail refer EMP).  Harvesting of water at Hill and Road Interface. Along the up-gradation corridor at locations of waterfalls/streams ample flat land was available between the base of the hill and the carriageway. Such locations offer space to create underground water storage tank along the path of the runoff. (for detail refer EMP). 9.1.4 MITIGATION OF IMPACT ON GROUND WATER RESOURCES Roadside 3 hand pumps in Zotlang Mualkawi, Melbuk village are likely to be affected by the proposed widening of the up-gradation corridor. These shall be replaced within the nearest settlement area in consultation with the local community and the village councils. 9.1.5 MITIGATION OF IMPACT ON DRAINAGE To ensure that the project does not obstruct the existing course of the surface water flow and alter the hydrological setting by acting as an impediment to the natural drainage system of the region; detailed drainage surveys and hydrological investigations have been PWD Mizoram 126 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II undertaken and suitable design culverts proposed. All the existing cross-drainage structures will be replicated and additionally, cross-drainage structures will be provided at locations, where the natural drainage flow is obstructed at present. Roadside drainage system has been provided for efficient and speedy flow of the surface water. V-shaped drains of 150 mm thick cement concrete and having top width of 600mm and depth of 300 mm has been provided on the hillside throughout the project road except where it is passing through inhabited areas. 9.1.6 Prevention of Local Flooding The contractor will remove obstructions that may cause temporary flooding of local drainage channels, during construction especially at locations of streams. In sections along watercourses, and close to cross-drainage channels, earth, stone or any other construction materials shall be disposed off such that the flow of water is not blocked. All necessary measures will be taken to prevent earthwork, stonework and other debris from impeding cross-drainage at rivers, streams, water canals and existing irrigation and drainage systems. In addition to the design requirements, the contractor will take measures for the prevention of flooding shall include, no loss of access of any land or property thereon resulting from flowing or stagnant water as direct / indirect impact of construction. 9.1.7 Blasting and Cutting of the Hill faces Cutting of the Hill faces is the most significant construction activity, and needs to be done in a highly controlled manner. The Explosives Act, 1884 and the Explosives Rules 1983 will be strictly followed during procurement transportation, handling, storage and use of explosive. Explosive will be used in accordance with the recommendations of the Indian Standard Code of practice and will be stored under proper security at a safe distance from the road and at least 300 m from any inhabited premises. Blasting of hard rock will be required at following places (chainage): 7+050 to Km 7+150, Km 7+300 to Km 7+600, Km 10+100 to Km 10+740, Km 11+ 430 to Km 11+50, Km PWD Mizoram 127 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 12+800 to Km 13+200, Km 15+450 to Km 16+200, Km 18+500 to Km 19+000,Km 20+550 to Km 21+2400, Km 22+900 to Km 23+400. Controlled blasting will be used to limit the volume and extent of rock throw, and to reduce the disturbances of local flora and fauna. Regular monitoring studies shall be conducted for assessment of land stability and landslide occurrence as discussed in EMP. 9.1.8 MITIGATION MEASURES DURING QUARRYING OPERATIONS Materials will be procured from quarries having NoC from mining and geology department of Mizoram or licensed as per the gazette notification, 2000 and regulations of the concerned State Government Departments. Redevelopment plans for quarry areas from which material is extracted and have exhausted in the construction period, shall be developed by the PWD and implemented in co-ordination with the Mining & Geology Department, Mizoram and the Forest Department, Mizoram. Construction materials for GSB, WMM, DBM, BC, Cross drainage & Masonry R/Wall etc. works, will be available at Patea (Champhai) ,Pa Zualtea (Zotlang) , Zarzoliana , Tuichang and C.Malsawma Khawzawl quarry. Water Absorption and AIV of these quarries are within the limit of the Ministry’s Specifications. The existing stone quarries, from where materials may be sourced, may or may not have environment management plan. So it has been proposed that contractor will submit environmental due diligence report of the stone quarries, if materials will be sourced from those quarry for prior approval of the PIU/ consultant and environmental specialist. New quarry, if needed during construction, can only be opened with prior approval of quarry management plan by the environmental specialist and supervision consultant as well as by State Pollution control Board PWD Mizoram 128 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 9.1.9 MEASURES FOR CONTROL OF EROSION /SLOPE STABILIZATION Retaining walls. The road design incorporates appropriate type of treatments of slopes to reduce the potential for erosion of high embankments and bridge fills. Appropriate retaining structures like breast walls, revetment has been provided in the design at vulnerable locations to stabilize slopes. Details about the type and size of breast walls provided at different locations of the project are given in the Engineering Design volume of the report. To prevent destabilization of slopes at locations where the road is to be widened by filling on the valley side retaining walls shall be provided. Three types of retaining walls have been designed for different locations of the Project Road.  Dry Random Rubble Masonry for heights<=2.0m  Composite Random Rubble masonry for Heights>=2.0m <=5.0m  Mortared Random Rubble Masonry for Heights>5.0m <=15.0m Breast Walls. Breast walls shall be provided to protect the slope on the hillside at different locations of the project Road. To enhance the stability of the hillside, three types of designs have been proposed.  Dry Random Rubble Masonry for heights<=2.0m  Composite Random Rubble masonry for Heights>=2.0m <=4.0m  Mortared Random Rubble Masonry for Heights>4.0m <=6.0m 9.1.10 MITIGATION MEASURES FOR DISPOSAL OF DEBRIS/CONSTRUCTION SPOIL The debris generated will be re-used/ utilized in construction works such as filling, construction of retaining walls, embankments, filling pedestrian foot-path in settlement area, creating parking spaces, etc. However, a large quantum of debris will still remain to be disposed off. Dumping sites have been identified to ensure environmentally safe disposal of the construction debris. The locations of dumping sites have to be selected such that -  No residential areas are not located downwind side of these locations,  Dumping sites are not located in bio diversity rich or sensitive locations, PWD Mizoram 129 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Dumping sites do not contaminate any water sources, rivers etc, and  Dumping sites have adequate capacity equal to the amount of debris generated. The cutting activities shall generate an earthwork of 1.05 million cu.m. The disposal of which is an issue of concern. Earth generated from cutting will be utilised as construction fill material and also for building road subgrade. Remaining debris needs to be disposed at dumping locations. 9 numbers of dumping areas have been suggested on the proposed road which has been reviewed by the environment team to assess the suitability of the sites as dumping sites. All the sites mentioned below are suitable as dumping sites. Chainage Chainage Sl.No. Remarks Sl.No. Remarks From To From To 1 1.280 1.310 LHS 10 22.950 23.400 LHS 2 1.860 1.950 RHS 11 24.370 24.470 LHS 3 2.960 3.035 RHS 1. Play ground at 800m from road alignment chainage km 17.50 4 4.510 4.850 RHS 2. Play ground at 70 m from road 5 14.100 14.160 LHS alignment chainage km 9.3 3. Play ground at 90m from road 6 18.450 19.010 LHS alignment chainage km 9.3 4. Play ground at km 2.6 to km 2.8 7 20.180 20.450 RHS 5. Zotlang football ground 8 20.540 21.220 LHS 9 21.450 21.510 LHS During consultations local NGO’s and villagers suggested that some play grounds can be renovated by dumping excess earth in existing playgrounds located at the following locations:  800 m from the proposed alignment at chainage 17.5 km in Melbuk village  700 m from the proposed alignment at chainage 9.3 km in Mualkwai village  900m from the proposed alignment at chainage 9.3 km in Mualkwai village  Km 2.6 to 2.8 along the road in Zotlang village PWD Mizoram 130 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Proposed community market at km 3.6 in Zotlang village Any new dumping site that may be proposed during construction will be screened by Environmental Specialist, site plan reviewed by environmental specialist, and based on the review approved by PWD. Provision of Toe Walls to contain dumping spread. Toe Walls shall be provided to lend back support to the excavated rock/soil dumped on the valley side. Depending on the extent of dumped material the following types of designs are proposed to be used for constructing the Toe walls. 1. Dry Random Rubble Masonry for Heights<=2.0m 2. Bamboo/Gabion wire crates/bamboo crib walls for Heights, <=2.0m 3. Gabions for Heights >2.0m <=5.0m 4. Composite Random rubble masonry for Heights> 2.0m <=5.0m The slope of the dumped material will be protected from erosion by grass plantation as well as by diverting surface water away. In addition the contractor shall take the following precautions during disposal of debris: i. During the site clearance and disposal of debris, contractor will take full care to ensure that public or private properties are not damaged/affected and that the traffic is not interrupted. ii. Contractor will dispose off debris only to dumping locations having prior approval of PWD/ Engineer-in-Charge of works. iii. Contractor will also dispose the debris for improvement of public utilities with the consent of villagers and approval of PWD/ Engineer-in-Charge of works. iv. In the event of any spoil or debris from the sites being deposited on any adjacent land, the contractor will immediately remove all such spoil/debris and restore the affected area to its original state to the satisfaction of the PWD/ Engineer-in-Charge of works. PWD Mizoram 131 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II v. The contractor will at all times ensure that the entire existing streams, watercourses and drains within and adjacent to the site are kept clean, safe and free from any debris. vi. Contractor will utilize effectively, water sprays during the delivery and handling of materials when dust is likely to be created and to dampen stored materials during dry and windy weather. vii. Materials having the potential to produce dust will not be loaded to a level higher than the side and tail boards and will be covered with a tarpaulin in good condition. viii. During cutting of hills and disposal of debris proper warning signs will be installed to the satisfaction of PWD/ Engineer-in-Charge of works. ix. Any diversion required for traffic during disposal of debris shall be provided with traffic control signals and barriers after the discussion with local people and permission of PWD/ Engineer-in-Charge of works. x. During the debris disposal, contractor will take care of surrounding features and avoid any damage to it. During the debris disposal contractor will take care about wind direction and situation of the settlements, so that any dust problem will be avoided. Debris disposal shall be monitored by the representatives of local people of habiting nearest to the dumping location. Reporting of the activity shall be done regularly by the NGO’s village council presidents. 9.1.11 MITIGATION FOR NOISE AND VIBRATION Noise and vibration during construction is a significant impact especially around settlements and inhabited areas. Following mitigation measures need to be worked out by the contractor for the noise impacts associated with the various construction activities:  Noise standards will be strictly enforced for all vehicles, plants, equipment, and construction machinery. All construction equipment used for an 8-hour shift will conform to a standard of less than 90 dB(A). If required, machinery producing high noise as concrete mixers, generators etc, must be provided with noise shields and their usage timings can be regulated. PWD Mizoram 132 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Machinery and vehicles will be maintained regularly, with particular attention to silencers and mufflers, to keep construction noise levels to minimum.  Workers in the vicinity of high noise levels must wear earplugs, helmets and be engaged in diversified activities to prevent prolonged exposure to noise levels of more than 90dB(A) per 8-hour shift.  No hot mix, batching and aggregate crushing plants shall be located within 500m of sensitive land uses as schools, hospitals etc.  Blasting when required shall be restricted to daytime hours. All the statutory laws, regulations, rules etc, pertaining to acquisition, transport, storage, handling and use of explosives will be strictly followed. Blasting will be carried out only during fixed hours as permitted by the Engineer.  During the operation stage, sensitive receptors will be clearly marked by providing regulatory signage. Enforcement of these will be the responsibility of the local authorities. 9.1.12 FLORA Road Side Plantation. At the ratio of 10 trees shall be planted for every tree cut by the Forests Department. The project will transfer funds as per their estimate so that compensatory afforestation can be carried out for trees cut for the project. The project will involve the local NGOs to revegetate the slopes at space available on lands identified by the NGOs. While plantation is a onetime cost to the project, there is provision for financial incentive to local NGOs for maintenance. PIU and supervision consultant/ environmental specialist will monitor and ensure the compensatory forestation and other plantation programes. Indigenous species shall be used as far as practicable, strictly avoiding any exotic species like Eucalyptus that can have far-reaching adverse effects on the ecology and water regime of the area. Furthermore, thorny plants like Zizypus spp., etc., should not be ideally used in highway planting. Saplings should be planted in 2x2 ft. pits, wherever possible on small terraces created on the valley side, with adequate amount of cow-dung and dolomite added as organic and mineral nutrients. PWD Mizoram 133 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Species to be used on road shoulders: Cytisus sp. (Broom grass), Mikenia spp., Lycopodium spp., Selaginella spp., Polytrichum spp. And Sphagnum spp. Besides bamboo clump could be planted on the upper side of the shoulder. On Valley slope: Species recommended for afforestation on the Valley side are Thatch grass (Imperata spp.), Cynodon spp., Mikenia spp., Hydrocotyl spp., Oxalis spp., Eupatorium spp., various species of bamboo, etc. Loss of Forest Cover/Green Cover Various Bio Engineering Measures have been proposed to regenerate the cover lost due to the cutting of hill slopes. Such measures include transplantation / inoculation of soil-binding plant species on the exposed surfaces resulting from shoulder-cutting to widen the roads, as well as on the valley slope to further strengthen the soil-binding there. The following species need to be planted to reinforce the slopes. Among the different species suggested, Cytisus and Imperata have laterally spreading adventitious roots and clump-forming tendency that results in effective soil-binding. Mikenia gives off roots from nodes while creeping that penetrates the exposed surface and clings to the soil. The bryophytes and pteridophytes, on the other hand, are provided with rhizoids that have a high cumulative soil-binding capacity. Besides, these plants, because of their habit of forming extensive spongy mats on exposed soil, protect the soil effectively against the bombardment of raindrops. While shoulder-cutting, attempts should be made to create a slope of at least 800, avoiding totally vertical cuts, Small terraces about 4-6 ft. high may be carved out on the road shoulder and protected by planting grasses and other ground flora. These measures would go a long way in preventing soil erosion and landslides. Besides serving the purpose of soil binding, plants like broom and thatch grasses could also benefit the local community, who could maintain these patches on a sustainable utilization basis, thus boosting the social welfare component of the road project. PWD Mizoram 134 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Loss of Medicinal Plants Medicinal plants identified in project influence area are wild plants found throughout the state. These are not of any special ecological interest. Although to enhance the environment it has been suggested that the contractor shall not set up construction camps, hot mix plants etc at the locations (or close to the place) where herbs and medicinal plants are available. Also dumping locations have been selected so that no material is tipped within 100m of such locations. Regular monitoring of Biodiversity in the region is to be carried out to assess the effectiveness of the suggested mitigation measures. 9.2 SOCIO ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 9.2.1 LOSS OF ACCESS The contractor shall provide safe and convenient passage for vehicles, pedestrians and livestock to and from side roads and property accesses connecting the project road. Construction activities that shall affect the use of side roads and existing access to individual properties shall not be undertaken without providing adequate provisions. Construction works will not interfere with the convenience of the public or the access use and occupation of public or private roads, railways and any other access footpaths to or of properties, whether public or private. 9.2.2 SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION The Contractor is responsible for ensuring road safety along stretches where construction is in progress. All the construction period road safety plans will be subject to scrutiny and approval by the Engineer. Due to the special nature of hill roads, special provisions will be incorporated in the plan. This includes stoppage of construction for two hours during peak periods in the morning and two hours in the evening to allow commuters to go through. The contractor will provide and maintain barriers, fencing and lighting around the site and where necessary for the safety, security and convenience of the public including traffic on road and as otherwise needed to suit his working methods and timings. PWD Mizoram 135 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The Contractor shall take all necessary measures for the safety of traffic during construction and provide, erect and maintain such barricades, including signs, marking, flags, lights and flagmen as may be required by the Engineer for the information and protection of traffic approaching or passing through the section of the highway under improvement. Before taking up any construction, an agreed phased programme for the diversion of traffic or closer of traffic on the state highway shall be drawn up in consultation with the PWD Engineer-in-Charge of works. At the points where traffic is to deviate from its normal path (whether on temporary diversion or part width of the carriageway) the lane width path for traffic shall be clearly marked with the aid of pavement markings, painted drums or a similar device to the directions of the PWD Engineer- in-Charge of works. At night, the passage shall be delineated with lanterns or other suitable light source. One-way traffic operation shall be established whenever the traffic is to be passed over part of the carriageway inadequate for two-lane traffic. This shall be done with the help of temporary traffic signals or flagmen kept positioned on opposite sides during all hours. For regulation of traffic, the flagmen shall be equipped with red and green flags and lanterns / lights. On both sides, suitable regulatory / warnings signs showing timings when road will be open for traffic as approved by the PWD Engineer-in-Charge of works, shall be installed for the guidance of road users. On each approach, at least two signs shall be put up, one close to the point where transition of carriageway begins and the other 120 m away. The signs shall be of specified design and of refectory type, if so directed by the PWD Engineer-in-Charge of works. Provision of regulatory signage at sensitive receptor locations such as schools, hospitals and warning signs at known accident spots. Stockpiling of material will be planned such that smooth traffic flow is ensured. Spills at accident sites will be cleared immediately. The left over spills will be scraped and reclaimed to small lined pits at identified sites. In case of accidental spillage, immediate report to relevant departments will be made and instructions followed in taking up the corrective measures as soon as possible. PWD Mizoram 136 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Worker’s Health and safety Good practice guideline on safety, health and environment at work place as suggested in EMF (refer annexure -15 of EMF) will be implemented in the project during construction. 9.2.3 Maintenance of Temporary Diversions and Traffic Control Devices Signs, lights, barriers and other traffic control devices, as well as the riding surface of diversion shall be maintained in a satisfactory condition till such time they are required as directed by the PWD/ Engineer-in-Charge of works. Temporary roads shall be kept free of dust by frequent applications of water, if necessary. 9.2.4 Impact on Community Resources The community common resources located within the CIZ are listed in Annexure 5.1 (Table 9). During construction of the upgraded road following common property resources are likely to be impacted – Public Toilet- 1 no , Public Urinal 5 nos , Bazar Shed 5 nos , church boundary wall 1no and hand pump 3 nos (refer section 8.8) All such will be relocated in consultation with the local people and will be reconstructed in suitable locations. 9.2.5 OTHER SOCIAL IMPACTS Mitigation Measures for all social impacts have been detailed in the R&IPDP. 9.2.6 INDUCED DEVELOPMENTS Road side development The MPWD has acquired 5m reserve land on either side of the existing road, to curb roadside development outside the existing settlement areas. In the settlement area, village council is responsible for allotment of land other than agricultural purposes. During consultations with the village council presidents it was agreed that allotment of land abutting the road shall be avoided. Trade and Tourism PWD Mizoram 137 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Influx of tourists and visitors may increase due to improved accessibility. Eco-tourism can be promoted in the area for control of impacts associated with tourism. Awareness generation among tourists shall be taken up with the involvement of NGO/CBO and church. Bio-diversity Improved road will increase visitors, trade and traffic. Influx of workers during construction, and increased travelers as well as road side settlers during operation may increase demand for medicinal plants/ herbs as well as other bio-diversity based resources. Endangered species of fauna and flora is not reported from the C-Z Road right of way and adjacent area. Indirect impact on medicinal plants/herbs is possible. The recorded medicinal herbs are commonly available in the area and state. Induced impacts on forest and biodiversity, such as increased use / trade of forest biodiversity (non-timber products, herbs and wood) is possible from workers during construction, and from increase in roadside settlements, visitors and increased commercial activity during operation. EMP includes measures to avoid or minimize impacts on the forest bio-diversity including medicinal plants during construction. PWD/PIU may coordinate and collaborate with forest and wildlife agency in assessment of the risks and monitoring impacts on the road-corridor. 9.3 Contractor’s Responsibility Contractor’s responsibilities regarding environmental protection is summarized in Annexure 9.1, and detailed in Table 3.1 of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). PWD Mizoram 138 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II CHAPTER 10 – IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS OF EMP This chapter discusses the capacity assessment, implementation arrangements including the reporting, monitoring and training requirements for the project. The PWD has extensive experience in building and maintaining roads over the years. However, the traditional emphasis is now shifting with other concerns such as environmental and social impacts of the proposed development now becoming important for the successful implementation of major projects. As road and other works of PWD works expands, environmental work load will increase. The organizational set-up of the PWD and modifications required in order to meet these new challenges are discussed in the following sections. 10.1 Capacity Assessment Environmental Management Framework prepared for the proposed MSRP II has assessed capacity of Mizoram PWD for environment management and proposed institutional set up for MSRP. The assessment suggests that there is need for various types of trainings to various stakeholders including PWD staff, contractor, and communities on environmental management and mitigations subjects. Besides, external human resources/ consultants are also necessary during implementation support PIU. 10.2 Proposed institutional set up In line with the EMF for implementation of EMP for this road it has been proposed that Executive engineer (Environment) will be in charge for the implementation of EMP for this road. He will be assisted by Assistant engineer (Env.) Group-1 road, who will be assisted by two Junior Engineer and Environment Specialist of Supervision consultant and contractor. (Refer Figure 10.1) PWD Mizoram 139 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Chief Engineer (Roads), PWD, Govt. of Mizoram Project Director, PIU, PWD Environment specialist Executive Engineer Super vision Consultant (Environment) Assistant Engineer (Env.) Environment specialist Group-1 roads contractor 2- JEE C-Z roads Group-1 roads Fig 10.1 Proposed institutional set up for EMP implementation in C-Z road Supervision Consultant. The construction supervision consultant are expected to have in-house capacity to advise on and supervise the implementation of the EMP including suggesting enhancement design options and nay modifications, if needed. For this purpose, the supervision consultant will employ a full-time environmental specialist. 10.3 Non-Governmental Organizations. The C-Z Road requires undertaking plantation and maintenance and protection of vegetation in addition to compensatory plantation as part of environmental mitigation and enhancement works. Similarly, spoils will be used, where possible, to crate community assets on demand/ request of the community. In these types of works, C-Z Road project may engage NGO or CBO. PWD Mizoram 140 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 10.4 Training for Capacity enhancement To enable the PWD in integrating the social and environmental issues in its day-to-day operation and in internalising the environmental and social issues in the existing and future road development projects training is conceived. To achieve this goal, the MPWD, needs training on road development and environment management and the effective implementation of the environmental issues. Training proposed for capacity development in EMF document of MSRP-II (Refer section 7.4 of EMF) will also be applicable for this project because this project is a component of MSRP II. The training to be undertaken need to be of relevance to the specific context of the roads in Mizoram, focusing on the following issues:  Conservation of biodiversity  Slope stability and vulnerability to landslides  Siting criteria for identification of dumping sites  Harnessing water resources, including rain water harvesting  Concepts of bio-engineering and application of bio-engineering techniques for slope protection Type of training envisaged are summarized in the table below. S. No. Training Recipients Content of the module Module – I Environmental staff of “Environmental Environmental overview:Key issues, and Social Management Cell”. Methodology, Public Consultation, Associated NGOs in implementation and staff associated with construction Value Addition supervision Module – II Members of PWD staff involved in Mizoram State Road Project: supervising up-gradation corridor, NGO Environmental Impact Assessment representatives; Social Impact Assessment, Environmental Management Plan, Slope protection PWD Mizoram 141 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II S. No. Training Recipients Content of the module Module - III Contractors’ representatives; NGO Institutional Framework for representatives; Supervision Consultants’ Implementation of MSRP: The role of representatives; Members of PWD staff the PWD, The responsibilities of the involved in supervising up-gradation Supervision Consultant and the NGO corridor, Reporting requirements, Contractual Obligations and Environmental Protection. Module – IV Members of PWD staff involved in Special Issues in MSRP-2: Bio- supervising Major Maintenance, Diversity Assessment and Upgradation; NGO staff implementing the Conservation, Geo-morphological R&IPDP; District Officials & Members of Assessment and Slope Protection special committees – MVAC and GRC Consultation and Counselling, Income generation and Economic Rehabilitation Preparation of Micro-plans Module – V Members of the PWD; Selected Officers Improved Co-ordination with other of the line Departments such as Forests, departments: Overview of the MSRP Officials of the Pollution Control Board, Environmental & Social Impacts of Mining and Geology department the proposed improvements Statutory permissions – procedural requirements, Co-operation with the Forests Department, Co-operation with the Revenue Department Module – VI Members of PWD involved in MSRP Long-term issues in Planning Roads development in Mizoram Environmental & Social Assessment Methodology, Preparation of EMP & RAP, Stability of Hill Roads and mitigation measures, Conserving bio- diversity along roadside, Highway related diseases and AIDS Consultation tools and techniques. 10.5 Institutional arrangement for monitoring In order to ensure that the proposed mitigation measures have the intended results and comply with GoI and World Bank requirements, an environmental performance monitoring arrangement for Monitoring of Environmental Issues has been proposed as described in table 10.1. Details of the monitoring and reporting requirements has been discussed in EMP in detail Table 10.1 Monitoring of Environmental Issues SN Issue Procedure Timing Responsibility A. Pre-Construction PWD Mizoram 142 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Incorporation of mitigation Review detail PIU, PWD 1 measures and environmental design/drawings of the During project guidelines project approval 2. Location of camp sites and Review of camp location Prior to Contractor PIU, PWD, location of plants Approval of layout of mobilization camp and plants 3. Statutory clearances from Review of documents and Prior to Contractor PIU, PWD different agencies like- clearance certificates. mobilization Pollution control board, mining department, Revenue department etc. B. During Construction Site inspections at PIU, Contractor, 4 Construction and location places where such During Local NGOs. of drainage facilities. drains are required. active Site observation and construction PIU, Contractor, 5. Proper use of discussion with local . Whenever explosives for people and workers blasting takes Care and safe storage of blasting. Inspection of site Monthly place. PIU, Contractor, 6 top soil for later use. clearance practices, top during soil storage sites construction. PIU, Local 7. Care for vegetation in the Inspection of site clearance Bi-Weekly during NGOs, Contractor RoW and immediate Activities. construction. vicinity PIU, Local 8. Safeguarding of drinking Site observation During and NGOs, Contractor water sources. immediately after construction in the water source vicinity. SN Issue Procedure Timing Responsibility Disposal of spoil materials Disposal site observation 9. and disposal practice Weekly. PIU, Local and other construction NGOs, Contractor wastes PWD Mizoram 143 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 10. Impacts on agricultural land Site observation and PIU, Local discussion with local Weekly due to spoil disposal/soil people NGOs, Contractor erosion/water-logging due to construction Observation of Periodically 11. PIU, Local Reclamation of disposal reclaimed disposal sites sites NGOs, Contractor 12 Plantation of vegetation in Observation of sites Periodically PIU, Local the cut slope NGOs, Contractor 13 Timely construction of other Observation of sites PIU, Local Immediately after slope protection measures, construction such as, retaining walls. NGOs, Contractor 14 Quality of surface water. Water testing Construction site near PIU, Local a water body NGOs, Contractor 15 Operation and closure of Site inspection, During quarry PIU, Local quarries and borrow pits discussion with operation or bi-weekly confirmed to the workers and local NGOs, Contractor requirements related to people. location, vegetation protection, soil conservation, erosion control, siltation and stability concerns. 16 Observation of Periodically PIU, Local Air pollution near construction practices settlements NGOs, Contractor and consultation with local residents and workers 10.6 Budget for Environmental Management and Mitigation. Chapter 8 of the EMP presents an estimated budget for implementation of the environmental mitigations and management measures in C-Z Road. PWD Mizoram 144 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II ANNEXURE 2.1 ROAD GEOMETRY: The project corridor passes through steep and mountainous terrain. The design speed adopted is 30km/hour (IRC SP: 48). Along the proposed alignment, there will be no hair-pin bend. However minimum design speed has been considered on technical grounds. The vertical and horizontal alignments of the proposed road have been summarized as shown in table below: Project road length No. of curves with design speed in No. of curves with radius km/h (m) <30 30-40 40-50 >50 <30 30-50 >50 41.53 km 96 320 42 9 0 264 203 Project road length Length Distribution (km) and Gradient Class <4% 4%-5% 5%-6% 6%-7% 7%-8% 41.53 km 20.98 Km 2.77 Km 7.50 Km 10.00Km 0.28 Km PAVEMENT COMPOSITION BC : 30 mm DBM : 55 mm WBM in 3-layers : 250mm GSB in 2-layers Gr.I& V : 250 mm Total : 585 mm SHOULDER DESIGN: Surface dressing : 20 mm WBM in 1-layers Gr. II : 55 mm Excavated rock : 330mm GSB in 1-layers Gr. V : 150 mm PWD Mizoram 145 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Surface dressing : 20 mm WBM in 1-layers Gr. II : 55 mm PWD Mizoram 146 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II ANNEXURE –2 .2 DRAINAGE DESIGN Length of drain Sr. Chainage in m Length Type Remarks No. From To 1 0.0 600.0 600.0 Type-1 Village portion 2 600.0 4850.0 4250.0 Type-2 Soil Mixed Boulder Stretch 3 4850.0 5980.0 1130.0 Type-1 Village portion 4 5980.0 18855.0 12875.0 Type-2 Soil Mixed Boulder Stretch 5 18855.0 19675.0 820.0 Type-1 Village portion 6 19675.0 23870.0 4195.0 Type-2 Soil Mixed Boulder Stretch 7 23870.0 25565.0 1695.0 Type-1 Village portion 8 25565.0 32445.0 6880.0 Type-2 Soil Mixed Boulder Stretch 9 32445.0 33100.0 655.0 Type-1 Village portion 10 33100.0 35400.0 2300.0 Type-1 Village portion 11 35400.0 36900.0 1500.0 Type-2 Rocky & Steep Stretch 12 36900.0 40320.0 3420.0 Type-1 Soil Mixed Boulder Stretch 13 40320.0 41225.0 905.0 Type-2 Soil Mixed Boulder Stretch 14 41225.0 41529.0 304.0 Type-1 Village portion Total 41529.00 Sr.No. Type Length Remarks 1 Type-1 10924.00 Built up area & Ordinary Soil stretch 2 Type-2 37041.00 Rocky & Steep Stretch & Catch water drain at box cutting portion 3 Transverse 7295.00 300 mm wide transverse trench drain within the sub-grade Trench filled up with drainage material @ 50m interval on drain straight portion road & curve having center at valley side within the as per the specification along the road alignment & sub-grade gradient The bottom of the trench shall be slope to valley, including providing and laying of drainage material ,excavation of trench as per drawing or technical specification (MORT&H 309.3.7 ,TABLE-300-4,GR.- CLASS-A) 4 Rain Cut 1245.00 1 m wide & 0.15 m deep flat V shape at an interval of Drain 50m to 150 m as per site condition ,drain beyond the shoulder edge at valley with coating of bitumen @ 1.0 Kg per sqm over the compacted surface PWD Mizoram 147 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 5 Sub 3500.00 Subsurface drain with perforated pipe of 100 mm internal Surface diameter of PVC, closely jointed, perforations ranging Drains from 3 mm to 6 mm depending upon size of material with surrounding the pipe, with 150 mm bedding below the Perforated pipe and 300 mm cushion above the pipe, cross section of Pipe excavation 450 x 550 mm. Excavated material to be utilised in roadway at site Chutes of the culverts form part of the culvert structure to lead the discharge to the catch-pit or to natural drainage channel. GEO-TEXTILE Geo-textile for drainage & separation with physical requirement as per MORT&H- 702.2.2.3.2 .TABLE 700-4 after preparation of sub-grade as per the specification along the road alignment, geo-textile shall be rolled as indicated in the drawing .The entire rolled shall be placed on the sub-grade and unrolled as smoothly as possible .Wrinkles and folds in the fabric shall be removed by stretching as required. PWD Mizoram 148 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure 5.1 TABLE – 1: Distribution of Tree Species ( Size of Quadrat :10m x 10m) Dominance or Basal Area (BA)m2 Tt no.of Individuals of species Total no of Quadrat studied No.of Quadrats Occurrence Mean Girth (MG)cm Basal Area (BA)cm2 Relative Dominance Relative Frequency Name of the species Local Name Family IVI Relative Density Frequency % Density 1 Albizzia chinensis Vang Mimosaceae 20 7 8 65 336.38 0.0336 35 0.4 5 4.82 8.13 17.95 2 Albizzia procera Kangtek Mimosaceae 20 5 5 35 97.53 0.0097 25 0.25 3.57 3.01 2.35 8.93 3 Bischofia javanica Khuangthli Euphorbiaceae 20 3 3 45 161.23 0.0161 15 0.15 2.14 1.81 3.89 7.84 4 Bombax insigne Pang Bombacaceae 20 5 5 56 249.68 0.0249 25 0.25 3.57 3.01 6.02 12.6 5 Callicarpa arborea Hnahkiah Verbenaceae 20 9 10 47 175.87 0.0175 45 0.5 6.43 6.02 4.23 16.68 6 Derris robusta Thingkha Fabaceae 20 8 8 34 92.04 0.0092 40 0.4 5.71 4.82 2.22 12.75 Duabanga 7 grandiflora Zuang Lythraceae 20 15 17 52 215.29 0.0215 75 0.85 10.71 10.24 5.2 26.15 8 Erythrina variegata Fartuah Fabaceae 20 12 15 49 191.16 0.0191 60 0.75 8.57 9.04 4.62 22.23 9 Ficus semicordata Thei-pui Moraceae 20 9 11 37 108.99 0.0109 45 0.55 6.43 6.63 2.64 15.7 10 Gmelina arborea Thlanvawng Verbenaceae 20 7 8 57 258.68 0.0259 35 0.4 5 4.82 6.27 16.09 Lithocarpus xylocarpus 11 Then Fagaceae 20 8 10 51 207.09 0.0207 40 0.5 5.71 6.02 5.01 16.74 149 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Dominance or Basal Area (BA)m2 Tt no.of Individuals of species Total no of Quadrat studied No.of Quadrats Occurrence Name of the species Local Name Family IVI Mean Girth (MG)cm Basal Area (BA)cm2 Relative Dominance Relative Frequency Relative Density Frequency % Density Macaranga denticulata 12 Hnah-khar Euphorbiaceae 20 7 7 54 232.17 0.0232 35 0.35 5 4.22 5.61 14.83 13 Ostodes paniculata Beltur Euphorbiaceae 20 3 3 56 249.68 0.0249 15 0.15 2.14 1.81 6.02 9.97 14 Rhus semialata Khawm-hma Anacardiaceae 20 8 9 42 140.45 0.014 40 0.45 5.71 5.42 3.39 14.52 15 Schima wallichii Khiang Theaceae 20 7 10 55 240.84 0.024 35 0.5 5 6.02 5.81 16.83 16 Sterculia villosa Khaupui Sterculiaceae 20 6 8 34 92.04 0.0092 30 0.4 4.28 4.82 2.23 11.33 Terminalia myriocarpa 17 Char Combretaceae 20 4 5 61 296.26 0.0296 20 0.25 2.86 3.01 7.16 13.03 18 Toona ciliata Teipui Meliaceae 20 5 8 67 357.4 0.0357 25 0.4 3.57 4.82 8.64 17.03 Anogeissus acuminata 19 Zairum Combretaceae 20 4 6 58 267.83 0.0268 20 0.3 2.86 3.61 6.48 12.95 20 Bauhinia variegata Vaube Ceasapiniaceae 20 8 1 46 168.47 0.0168 40 0.5 5.71 6.02 4.06 15.79 0 150 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II TABLE – 2: Distribution of Shrub Species ( Size of Quadrat :5m x 5m) Relative Density No. of Quadrats Individuals of Frequency % Sl.no Name of the species Local Name Family Total no. of Occurrence Abundance Abundance Total no of Frequency Relative Relative Density IVI 1 Antidesma acidium Thur-te-an Euphorbiaceae 20 7 9 35 0.45 1.29 5.93 2.86 3.1 11.89 Bambusa longispiculata 2 Rawthing Poaceae 20 5 35 25 1.75 7 4.24 11.11 16.77 32.12 3 Bridelia monoica Phak tel Euphorbiaceae 20 10 23 50 1.15 2.3 8.47 7.3 5.51 21.28 Clerodendrum Phuihnamchhia Verbenaceae viscosum 4 20 9 17 45 0.85 1.89 7.63 5.4 4.53 17.56 Dendrocalamus longispathus 5 Rawnal Poaceae 20 11 31 55 1.55 2.82 9.32 9.84 6.75 25.91 6 Eurya japonica Sihneh Theaceae 20 3 5 15 0.25 1.67 2.54 1.59 4 8.13 Shillong- Lantana camara Verbenaceae 7 tlangsam 20 4 9 20 0.45 2.25 3.39 2.86 5.39 11.64 Morinda angustifolia Lum Rubiaceae 8 20 5 7 25 0.35 1.4 4.24 2.22 3.35 9.81 151 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Sl.no Name of the species Local Name Family No. of Quadrats Occurrence Total no. of Individuals of Relative Abundance Relative Frequency Relative Density Frequency % Abundance Total no of Density IVI 9 Musa sylvestris Changel Musaceae 20 3 9 15 0.45 3 2.54 2.86 7.19 12.59 Mussaenda macrophylla 10 Vakep Rubiaceae 20 9 27 45 1.35 3 7.63 8.57 7.19 23.39 Pandanus fascicularis 11 Ramlakhuih Pandanaceae 20 3 5 15 0.25 1.67 2.54 1.59 4 8.13 Polygonum chinense Ta-ham Polygonaceae 20 4 5 20 0.25 1.25 3.39 1.59 3 7.98 12 13 Ricinus communis Mutih Euphorbiaceae 20 2 3 10 0.15 1.5 1.69 0.95 3.59 6.23 Siali-nu- 14 Rubus birmanicus theihmu Rosaceae 20 4 5 20 0.25 1.25 3.39 1.59 3 7.98 Saccharum 15 longisetosum Luang Poaceae 20 1 55 75 2.75 3.67 12.71 17.46 8.79 38.96 5 16 Solanum torvum Tawkpui Solanaceae 20 1 29 55 1.45 2.64 9.32 9.21 6.32 24.85 1 Thysanolaena maxima 17 Hmunphiah Poaceae 20 41 65 2.05 3.15 11.02 13.02 7.54 31.58 1 3 152 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II TABLE –3 : Distribution of Herb species ( Size of Quadrat :1m x 1m) Relative Abundance Total no of Quadrat Relative Frequency Individuals of spp Relative Density No. of Quadrats Name of the species Frequency % Sl.no Local Name Family Total no. of Occurrence Abundance Density studied IVI Ageratum conyzoides 1 Vaihlenhlo Asteraceae 20 6 23 30 1.15 3.83 3.21 5.44 5.67 14.32 Amomum dealbatum 2 Aidu Zingiberaceae 20 2 2 10 0.1 1 1.07 0.47 1.48 3.02 3 Biden pilosa Vawkpuithal Asteraceae 20 11 24 55 1.25 2.18 5.88 5.91 3.23 15.02 Sazuknghawng 4 Bytttneria pilosa hhlap Sterculiaceae 20 7 11 35 0.55 1.57 3.74 2.61 2.32 8.67 Chromolaena odorata 5 Tlangsam Asteraceae 20 11 26 55 1.3 2.36 5.88 6.15 3.49 15.52 Cissampelos pareira 6 Hnahbial hrui Menispermaceae 20 5 8 25 0.4 1.6 2.67 1.89 2.37 6.93 Curculigo crassiflora 7 Phaiphak Amarryllidaceae 20 9 12 45 0.6 1.33 4.81 2.84 1.97 9.62 Desmodium heterocarpon 8 Berbek Fabaceae 20 9 15 55 0.75 1.67 5.88 3.55 2.47 11.9 Desmodium sequax 9 Cha-bet-ban Fabaceae 20 7 15 35 0.75 2.14 3.74 3.55 3.17 10.46 153 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Individuals of spp Relative Density No. of Quadrats Quadrat studied Frequency % Total no. of Occurrence Abundance Abundance Total no of Frequency Name of the species Sl.no Local Name Family Relative Relative Density IVI 10 Desmodium gangeticum Hlah tha Papilionaceae 20 3 9 15 0.45 3 1.6 2.13 4.44 8.17 11 Dioscorea alata Bachhim Dioscoreaceae 20 8 12 40 0.6 1.5 4.28 2.84 2.22 9.34 Dioscorea bellophylla 12 Hra-kai Dioscoreaceae 20 9 17 45 0.85 1.89 4.81 4.02 2.8 11.63 Gleichenia linearis 13 Ar-thla-dawn Gleicheniaceae 20 3 11 15 0.55 3.67 1.6 2.61 5.43 9.64 Hedyotis scandens 14 Kel-hnam-tur Rubiaceae 20 5 7 25 0.35 1.4 2.67 1.65 2.07 6.39 Imperata cylindrica 15 Di Poaceae 20 9 25 45 1.25 2.78 4.81 5.91 4.11 14.83 Merremia vitifolia 16 Thian-nu Convolvulaceae 20 4 18 20 0.9 4.5 2.14 4.25 6.66 13.05 17 Mimosa pudica Hlo-nuar Mimosaceae 20 5 25 25 1.25 5 2.67 5.91 7.4 15.98 Mikania micrantha Japanhlo Asteraceae 18 20 12 38 60 1.9 3.17 6.42 8.98 4.69 20.09 19 Mucuna exserta Hruiduk Leguminosae 20 3 8 15 0.4 2.67 1.6 1.89 3.95 7.44 Phyllanthus urinaria Mit-thi-sunhlu Euphorbiaceae 20 20 8 15 40 0.75 1.87 4.28 3.55 2.77 10.6 154 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Relative Abundance Total no of Quadrat Relative Frequency Individuals of spp Relative Density No. of Quadrats Name of the species Frequency % Sl.no Local Name Family Total no. of Occurrence Abundance Density studied IVI 21 Polygala arvensis Diktawn Polygonaceae 20 2 5 10 0.25 2.5 1.07 1.18 3.7 5.95 Polygonum chinensis 22 Ta-ham Polygonaceae 20 3 5 15 0.25 1.67 1.6 1.18 2.47 5.25 23 Setaria pumilla Thangchikhat Poaceae 20 7 9 35 0.45 1.28 3.74 2.13 1.9 7.77 24 Scleria levis Thip Cyperaceae 20 9 17 45 0.85 1.89 4.81 4.02 2.8 11.63 25 Smilax perfolia Kai-ha Liliaceae 20 4 9 20 0.45 2.25 2.14 2.13 3.33 7.6 Spilanthes acmella 26 Ankasate Asteraceae 20 5 16 25 0.8 3.2 2.67 3.78 4.74 11.19 Stephania glandulifera 27 Chaih-chun Menispermaceae 20 5 11 25 0.55 2.2 2.67 2.6 3.26 8.53 Thladiantha calcarata 28 Kang-mang Cucurbitaceae 20 8 15 40 0.75 1.87 4.28 3.55 2.77 10.6 29 Urena lobata Se-hnap Malvaceae 20 6 14 30 0.7 1.56 3.21 3.31 2.31 8.83 155 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II OTHER INFORMATION RELATED TO PROJECT INFLUENCE AREA Mizoram is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the eastern Himalayan region (north east India) with about 94% tribal people living in the state. Majority of the people practice shifting cultivation and livelihood of the rural masses depend largely on forestry products. The people begin to realize the value and importance of conservation of biodiversity and the genetic resources. Checklist of Threatened Plants of Mizoram scientific name s.no family rdb status Begonia lusshaiensis 1 Begoniaceae Rare Begonia wengeri 2 Begoniaceae Indeterminate Coelogyne rossiana 3 Orchidaceae Vulnerable Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum 4 Orchidaceae Rare Paphiopedilum villosum 5 Orchidaceae Vulnerable Renanthera imschootiana 6 Orchidaceae Endangered Source: Red Data Book Plants of India (Nayar & Sastry 1987-88) - Checklist of Threatened Plants of Mizoram, Observed on June 4, 2013 Checklist of Endemic Plants of project influence area of Chumkhum Chowngte Road Scientific name Family 1. Arundinaria phar Poaceae 2. Begonia lushaiensis Begoniaceae 3. Bulbophyllum parryae Orchidaceae 4. Chasalia lushaiensis Rubiaceae 5. Derris lushaiensis Fabaceae 6. Dichrocephala minutifolia Asteraceae 7. Didymocarpus adenocarpus Gesneriaceae 156 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Scientific name Family 8. Didymocarpus parryorum Gesneriaceae 9. Didymocarpus rodgeri Gesneriaceae 10. Didymocarpus wengeri Gesneriaceae 11. Eria lacei Orchidaceae 12. Glycosmis cyanocarpa Rutaceae 13. Jasminum wengeri Oleaceae 14. Mahonia borealis Berberidaceae 15. Mantisia wengeri Zingiberaceae 16. Mussaenda parryorum Rubiaceae 17. Mussaenda pentasemia Rubiaceae 18. Orthosiphon glandulosus Lamiaceae 19. Petrocosmea parryorum Gesneriaceae 20. Rhododendron witchianum Ericaceae 21. Senecio lushaiensis Asteraceae 22. Sinarundinaria longispiculata Poaceae 23. Sonerila villosa Melastomataceae 24. Stereogyne lushaiensis Orchidaceae 25. Strobilanthes parryorum Acanthaceae 157 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Scientific name Family 26. Trisepalum lineicapsa Gesneriaceae 27. Vernonia parryae Asteraceae Source: Red Data Book Plants of India (Nayar & Sastry 1987-88) - Checklist of Endemic Plants of Mizoram, Observed on June 4, 2013 158 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II List of medicinal plants in project influence area 1. Adhatoda vasika 20. Dryopteris 2. Agave americanna 21. Terminalia arjuna 3. Alpinia malacensis 22. Crataeva sp. 4. Anogessus acuminate 23. Dillenia sp 5. Begonia rex 24. Phyllanthus emblica 6. Datura metal 25. Tamarindus indica 7. Homonoia riparia 26. Saraca indica 8. Linostoma decandrum 27. Bauhinia purpuria 9. Orthosiphon aristatus 28. Bauhinia variagala 10. Bergendia lingulata 29. Cassia fistula 11. Anthocephalus cadamba 30. Azadirachta indica 12. Bergenia ligulata 31. Eugenia jambelona 13. Hedychium acuminaturm 32. Anthocephalus indica 14. Lonicera macranda 33. Artocarpus chaplasha 15. Bergendia lingulata 34. Gmelina arborea 16. Marchantia sp 35. Ziziphus maurtiana 17. Sphagnum sp. 36. Ficus religiosa 18. Polytrichum sp 37. Ageratum conyzoides 19. Lycopodium 38. Lantana commara 20.Selaginella 39. Euphorbia hirta 40. Argemone maxicana 159 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II List of Floral Species identified in the project area Local name Botanical name Character 1 Bahra Dioscoera spp. Climber 2 Hruichun Dysolobium grande Climber 3 Hruiduk Mucuna exserta Climber 4 Japanhlo Mikania micrantha Climber 5 Sazuknghawnghlap Byttneria pilosa Climber 6 Tling Embelia vestita Climber 7 Vako Thunbergia grandiflora Climber 8 Vawihuihhrui Paederia foetida Climber 9 Vawkpuibahra Diocorea bulbifera Climber 10 Vawkpuiruangruh Acacia caesia Climber 11 Di Imperata cylindrica Grass 12 Hmunphiah Thysalomina maxima Grass 13 Luang Saccharum longisetosum Grass 14 Phaitualhnim Cynodon dactylon Grass 15 Rairuang Saccharum arundinaceum Grass 16 Aichhia Hedychium villosum Herb 17 Aidu Amomum dealbatum Herb 18 Ailaidum Curcuma petiolata Herb 19 Aithur Curcumorpha longiflora Herb 20 Ansate Spilanthes calva Herb 21 Baibing Alocasia fornicata Herb 22 Dawl Colocasia sesculenta Herb 23 Hnahthial Phrynium capitatum Herb 24 Katchat/Chakawk Pteridophytes spp. Herb 25 Phaiphak Curculigo crassifolia Herb 26 Sumbul Costus speciosus Herb 27 Thip Scleria levis Herb 28 Tlangsam Eupatorium odaratum Herb 29 Vailenhlo Ageratum conyzoides Herb 30 Arngeng Maesa indica Shrub 31 Builukham Melastoma malabathricum Shrub 32 Changel Musa spp. Shrub 33 Chhura-sa-um Unknown Shrub 34 Hmarcha Campsicum annum Shrub 35 Kawlkar Leea indica Shrub 36 Lehngo Debregeasia longifolia Shrub 160 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 37 Leihruisen Calycopterius floribunda Shrub 38 Lem Arenga nana Shrub 39 Nghardai Toddalia asiatica Shrub 40 Pangbal Manihot esculenta Shrub 41 Phuihnamchhia Clerodendrum viscosum Shrub 42 Raichhawk Daemonorops jenkinsianus Shrub Local name Botanical name Character 43 Rulei Millettia pachycarpa Shrub 44 Tuipuisuthlah Rotura aquatica Shrub 45 Uifawmaring Flemingia stricta Shrub 46 Zawngtenawhlung Mallotus roxburghianus Shrub 47 Laisua Licuala teltata Palm 48 Mitperh Calamus acanthospathus Palm 49 Raichhawk Daemonorops jenkinsianus Palm 50 Tairua Calamus guruba Palm 51 Tum Caryota urens Palm 52 Archangkawm Oroxylum indicum Tree 53 Banphar Anthocephalus chinensis Tree 54 Belphuar Trema orientalis Tree 55 Beltur Ostodes paniculata Tree 56 Bil Protium serratum Tree 57 Bungbutuairam Garunga pinnata Tree 58 Chhawntual Aporusa octandra Tree 59 Dangkha Garcinia anomala Tree 60 Fartuah Erythrina variegata Tree 61 Hmuifarial Syzygium claviflorum Tree 62 Hnahkhar Macaranga indica Tree 63 Hnahkiah Calicarpa arborea Tree 64 Hnahthap Ficus spp. Tree 65 Kangtek Albizzia procera Tree 66 Khaupui Sterculia villosa Tree 67 Khiangzo Schima khasiana Tree 68 Lungkhup Haldina cardifolia Tree 69 Mautak Melocanna baccifera Tree 70 Muk Cordia dichotoma Tree 71 Nauthak Litsea monopetala Tree 72 Nganawm Desmous dumosus Tree 73 Paitemaian Ficus hispida Tree 74 Pang Bombax insigne Tree 75 Phaktel Bridelia monoica Tree 161 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 76 Phunchawng Bombax ceiba Tree 77 Rawnal Dendrocalamuslongispathus Tree 78 Rawthing Bambusa tulda Tree 79 Sahatah Aglaia hiernii Tree 80 Sazutheipui Ficus hirta Tree 81 Sehsen Ficus rigida Tree 82 Sihneh Eurya cerasifolia Tree 83 Siksil Pterospermum acerifolium Tree 84 Tatkawng Artocarpus chaplasha Tree Local name Botanical name Character 85 Teak Tectona gradis Tree 86 Teipui Toona ciliata Tree 87 Thakthingsuak Cinnamomum bejolghota Tree 88 Theibal Ficus auriculata Tree 89 Theibate Ficus variegata Tree 90 Theihai Mangifera indica Tree 91 Theipui Ficus semicordata Tree 92 Theitit Ficus prostrate Tree 93 Thingkha Deris robusta Tree 94 Thingkhawilu Vitex peduncularis Tree 95 Thingthiang Olea salicifolia Tree 96 Thlado Lagerstroemia speciosa Tree 97 Thlanvawng Gmelina arborea Tree 98 Thlengreng Vitex heterophylla Tree 99 Tiar Saurauia punduana Tree 100 Tuiaram Garuga floribunda Tree 101 Tuaitit Bengawng Antidesma spp. Tree 102 Vaiza Hibiscus macrophyllus Tree 103 Vang Albizzia chinensis Tree 104 Vawmbal Drimycarpus racemosus Tree 105 Zairum Anogeisus accuminata Tree 106 Zihnghal Stereospernum colais Tree 107 Zuang Duabanga grandiflora Tree 108 Nganbawm, Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Tree 109 Thingpawnchhia, Glochidion khasicum Tree 110 Sunhlu, Emblica officinalis Tree 111 Vaube, Bauhinia variegata Tree 112 Phunchawng, Bombax ceiba Tree 113 Sihneh, Eurya cerasifolia Tree 114 Khiang, Schima wallichii Tree 162 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 115 Char, Terminalia myaocarpa Tree Figure-1 : IVI of tree species along the road 163 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Figure-2: IVI of shrub species along the road Figure 3: Distribution of vegetation type in the project area. List Faunal species Fauna : There is no unique faunal community within the core and buffer zone of the project area, except most common ones like toad, frog, crow, sparrow and myna, Loris, etc. Loris t. 164 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II tardigradus is found in wet lowland forests (Schulze and Meier 1995), tropical rain, swampy coastal and evergreen forests, and wet zone lowland forest up to 470 m (Molur et al. 2003). Loris t. tardigradus has only been observed to eat animal prey. Although they will eat fruit in a captive setting, they will always choose animal prey first. In addition to insects (including moths, stick insects, dragonflies, beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers), they lizards . Stream and River Marsh: The following organisms were observed to inhabit and use the marshy ecosystem as breeding place at marsh: Faunal Species Sl Identifying Common Name Scientific Name No Character/Colour 1 Algae Rodophyceae sp. brown 2 Green Algae Chlorphyceae sp. Dark Green 3 Dragon fly Macromia sp purple 4 Damsefly Enallagma sp. fluorescent blue 5 Dragon fly Macromia sp.), scarlet 6 Dragon fly Macromia sp. red small 7 Dragon fly Sympetrum corruptum Yellow 8 Tadpoles Rana sp Dark brown 9 Planktons Nektons, Neuston Dark green 10 Surface swimmers Brachionus s., etc Swimmers Community of Roadside water fall and streams : The following are observed: Sl Common name local name) no. 1 Daphnia sp. Tuitifiminu 2 Crab Chakai 165 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 3 Limnea sp. chengkawl, 4 fresh water fish Nghahrah 5 fresh water fish Nghadawl 6 fresh water fish Dawntial 7 Cyclop Tuitifiminu 8 Rana limnocharis Chungu 9 Blue Green algae (Common) Patek 10 Paleamon sp Kaikuang 11 Water bug Tui Chukchu 12 Rotifers (Brachionus sp.) tuitifiminu Spottings of birds made during the monitoring are listed below (Zoological names and local names given): Common./Local Sl Zoological Name Location Name No 1 Pycnonotidae sp Bulbul – Tlaiberh At various spot 2 Falco peregrinus falcon –Mute at Mualkawi forest 3 Pisttacula krameri - family of at Mualkawi tropical parrots, Vaki riverine forest 4 Drongo sp Vakul at various spots 5 Megalaima virens – Tawllawt at Zotlang biodiversity 6 Pycnonocus cafer Bulbul- Tlaiberh throughout the corridor 7 Megalaima franklinii Zo-tuklo Melbuk and various spots 8 Charcophaps indica Ram at various spots parva 166 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 9 - Various small birds feeding Vate throughout the corridor Some of the birds and animals reported to be spotted by visual observation during the visit, and through local informants are (local names given in parenthesis): Sl No Common/Local Name Zoological name 1 Wild cat (Sanghar) - Felis spp. 2 Partridges (Ram parva) - Columba sp. 3 Lizard - Laiking Caleotes vesicular 4 Squirrels (Thehlei) Callos ciurus macclellandi 5 Sazaw type Felis sp. 167 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure 5.2 : Ground water quality in the project area GW1 GW2 GW3 No. Parameters Zothlang Melbuk Zokhawthar 1 Odour (TON) Odourless Odourless Odourless 2 Colour (Hazen) 1 1 1 3 Taste Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable 4 Turbidity (NTU) 1.8 2.1 1.58 5 Total Dissolved Solid (mg/l) 445 380 352 6 pH 7.2 7.1 7.1 7 Alkalinity (mg/l) 225 200.0 45.0 8 Total Hardness (mg/l) 120 180 110 9 Residual Chlorine (mg/l) <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 10 Nitrate (mg/l) 58.2 40 25 11 Fluoride (mg/l) <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 12 Phenol (mg/l) <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 13 Total Nitrogen (mg/l) 60 41.8 26.8 14 Boron (mg/l) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 15 Chloride (mg/l) 159.1 28.93 38.57 16 Sulphate (mg/l) 63.33 20 16 17 Bi Carbonate (mg/l) 274.5 244 54.9 18 Cyanide (mg/l) <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 19 Calcium (mg/l) 88.18 84.17 24.05 20 Magnesium (mg/l) 91.2 40.8 12 21 Manganese (mg/l) <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 168 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II GW1 GW2 GW3 No. Parameters Zothlang Melbuk Zokhawthar 22 Zinc (mg/l) 0.12 0.34 0.03 23 Aluminium (mg/l) <0.006 <0.006 <0.006 24 Iron (mg/L) 0.35 0.58 0.57 25 Chromium (VI) (mg/l) <0.05 <0.05 <0.05 26 Copper (mg/l) 0.08 0.06 0.05 27 Mercury (mg/l) <0.001 <0.001 <0.001 28 Cadmium (mg/l) <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 29 Sodium (mg/l) 112.5 71.38 52.46 30 Arsenic (mg/l) <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 31 Lead (mg/l) <0.03 <0.03 <0.03 32 Total Coliform / 100 ml. <1,<10,<100 <1,<10,<100 <1,<10,<100 33 Fecal Coliform /100 ml. <1,<10,<100 <1,<10,<100 <1,<10,<100 <1 indicate No Colony developed in 1 ml. Sample. <10 ; <10 indicate No Colony developed in 0.1 ml. Sample ; <100 indicate No Colony developed in 0.01 ml. Sample 169 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure – 6.1 STAKE HOLDER CONSULTATIONON ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL SCREENING ON 30.8.2013 AT PIU, CONFERENCE HALL. PWD, MIZORAM PWD, Mizoram delivered the presentation on Environmental screening of Champai – Zokhwatar road. They explained about the project and findings based on screening exercise. During presentation salient feature of the existing road and proposed alignment was discussed. Environmental issues related to proposed road improvement, anticipated impacts on environment were discussed. Suggestion on environmental issues was discussed with the representatives of the different department participated in the consultation Discussion on screening presentation 1. PD informed that construction of bridge over river Tiau on Myanmar border is cancelled due to non-cooperation of Govt. of Myanmar. 2. Ms. P.C Lalmuanpui, AEE , Mizoram Pollution controlr Board inquired aboud the technical criteria of proposing re-alignments at different stretches. She also asked about the possibility of constructing elevated corridors in villages instead of realignment. She expressed her concern about the disposal of huge spoils and suggested to consult with villagers for identifying disposal sites. 3. Mr. Lalduhthlana, ACF, Environment and Forest Department , Govt. of Mizoram informed about the existence of a wild life sanctuary in Champai district . He suggested that PWD should write a letter to DFO to inform about the notified forest land. 4. The design consultant Mr. Dhananjoy Kumar informed that 24m width corridor is not possible in some areas. 5. Mr. Drona of World Bank suggested for due-diligence report of the suggested stone quarries during implementation of the project . The meeting ended with vote of thanks by PD, MSRP-II, PWD Mizoram. 170 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 171 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure 6.2 MINUTES OF MEETING ON WORKSHOP OF STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSULTATION ON ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK OF MSRP – II Venue : Conference Hall, Aijal club, Aizawl. Date & Time : Dt. 18.11.2013 at 0:00 PM to 3:00 PM Part –A: EMF meeting minute: Lalram Thanga, Principal Secretary, Chairman of the meeting welcomed all participants of stakeholders and thanked them for attending the meeting in spite of their busy schedules giving due importance to the meeting. He further emphasized his desire for open, frank and fruitful discussion with open mind to clear all doubts and problems arising for implementation of the proposed project. He highlighted briefly the background and importance of the proposed road under MSRP –II for improvement of Socio-Economic profile of Mizoram. He further stated the history of global issues of sustainable development of environment and worldwide World Bank’s achievement. Ms. Er. Laltlanthangi Ralte Assistant Engineer (Env) PIU gave PowerPoint Presentation of Draft Environmental Management Framework. This was followed by discussion of the topic. The summing of discussions is given below: Ms. Ethel Rothangpuii Dy. Director, Transport Department: asked on what scenario the proposed road was selected and name of the selected road. Engineer in Chief, PWD answered the queries. Ms. P.C. Lalmuanpuii, Assistant Executive Engineer, Mizoram Pollution Control Board: said that in the MSRP –I, there were many complaints about dust pollution. She asked how it is going to suppress dust generation during construction period in the MSRP –II Er. Samar Banerjee World Bank Consultant answered that generated dust will be suppressed by mixure of 2% NaCl with water through sprinkler. Lalmalsawma Jt. Secy, Finance Department: asked Chhumkhum – Chawngte road was already accorded Administrative Approval under NABARD funding, how it was going to do with this. Engineer in Chief, PWD answered that the proposal of Chhumkhum – Chawngte road under NABARD funding was only for single lane. However the proposal under World Bank is double 172 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II lane national Highway, if the proposal is going to be success, the proposal under NABARD funding will be cancelled. Dr. Alfred Malsawmsanga S.A, Mizoram Pollution Control Board: said about study of bio- diversity in Mizoram. It is very important to give prior important for preservation of wild animals living in Mizoram. He again mentioned that rehabilitation of dumping areas and road site plantation. Dr. Chawngsailova, General Secy. Mizoram Consumer Union: said that the road width of road, MSRP –I was not 7.0m and whether there is provision of crash barrier along the proposed road or not, as crash barrier is very important for road users. Engineer in Chief answered that the previous road constructed under World Bank funding was not conformed the National Highway Standard. However, the proposed road under MSRP –II was designed for Double Lane, National Highway. There is provision of crash barrier along the road in MRSP –II. Er. Lalzawmthanga, Executive Engineer, PIU said that in the Champhai to Zokhawthar road, there was Forest plantation area owned by Mualkawi village YMA of about 0.28 Hac. He asked that whether the village YMA is entitled to receive the compensatory fees of the area in spite of their wantedness. Duhthlana Assistant Conservator of Forest Department replied that the issue will be settled in Part –II. Samar Banerjee, World Bank Consultant: mentioned that National and state regulatory Laws and Acts should be followed during pre- construction, construction and post-construction. Framework of implementation arrangement should be made and this should be revised by the PWD official. Er. Lalramthanga Assistant Engineer PIU said that villagers of Phairuangkai village have LSC for their land but the area is within riverine forest area. Principal Secy. MPWD said that the riverine reserve forest area does not need to have LSC. The workshop was concluded by Engineer in Chief, Mizoram PWD with a vote of thanks. Part –B: SMF meeting minute: Lalram Thanga, Principal Secretary, PWD, Mizoram : Welcome the participants and highlighted basic importance of Social Management Framework then call upon Chuauhnuna, MCS, SLAO, PIU, PWD to give presentation on social Management Framework. 173 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Chuauhnuna. SLAO, PIU : Delivered presentation on social Management Framework. Lalram Thanga, Principal Secretary, PWD, Mizoram : Thanks Chuauhnuna, MCS, SLAO, PIU, PWD for his presentation on social Management Framework. He request the participants to share any idea if they have for better SMF. He highlighted the importance of Special Development for Primitive Tribal Group where PAP are Tribal. He also suggested that BPL family and widows may be treated as Vulnerable Group if they are among the PAP. Zonunmawia CEP : Said that where land is acquired by relevant LA process, it is always the Vulnerable Group who suffer the most. He suggested that care should be taken to make accurate assessment of the property losses by this group. Lalramthanga, Principal Secretary, PWD, Mizoram : Most of these Vulnerable Group are always the one who want their land to be acquired by the government because of compensation money. Chuauhnuna. SLAO, PIU : stated that in most of the case the land owner are not the victim but the beneficiary of LA process. Duhthlana, Assistant Conservator of Forest, E&F Dept : Said that in Table 3 – Entitlement Matrix (b) stated that “ If the compensation amount fixed by Special Committee is higher than that amount calculated from the rate fixed by the Collector, the amount fixed by the collector shall be paid by the collector as compensation and the remaining amount as assistance” , then if reverse is the case, what would be the solution ?. Chuauhnuna. SLAO, PIU: Assured that there should not be such case. Dr. Chawngsailova, General Secy. Mizoram Consumer Union: Mentioned that this is a high time for everybody to abstained from indulging in corruption in compensation and also request to formulate a method or system that appropriated compensation are paid to the rightful owner. And this should be the practice in World Bank Project. Chuauhnuna. , MCS, SLAO, PIU, PWD : Stated that to make assessment of compensation more accurate and to make the process more transparent, NGO like YMA, MUP etc are engaged to witness the measurement at site and also assured to all the participant that corrupt practice shall not be practice in LA process. Duhthlana, E&F Dept : From the Entitlement Matrix it appear that land holder by way of Periodic Patta also have to be compensated, will this have adverse effect on future Land 174 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Acquisition Process as this entitlement is not according to LA Act 1894. This can make precedence in the case of compensation. Chuauhnuna. , MCS, SLAO, PIU : mentioned that the poor villagers can’t always came to district headquarter to have their land pass issued or to engaged surveyor from revenue department, and that why most of villagers don’t have LSC. Assistance will be paid to them not the compensation. And caution will be taken not to make any precedence that could have adversely affected on future LA Process. Niraj World Bank Consultant: Social Management Framework should assured minimum social impact, resettlement and development of Indigenous People, Best alternatives alignment, Studies of best alternatives. Chuauhnuna. , MCS, SLAO, PIU : Asked the participant if they felt if the rate of compensation is too poor eg Rate for Fruit bearing Zawngtah is Rs 1000/- while the fruit it yield in a year can be up to Rs 10000/- . Lalram Thanga, Principal Secretary, PWD, Mizoram : This issue could be very controversial case. It is better that the rate adopt may be accepted as it is today. Lianchungnunga E in C, PWD : The classification of fruit bearing and non fruit bearing is too wide ranges. Compensated base on girth size for plant may be more appropriated. The workshop was concluded by Engineer in Chief, Mizoram PWD with a vote of thanks. 175 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 176 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 177 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 178 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 179 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 180 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure 6.3 CONSULTATION IN VILLAGES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL DISPOSAL SITES FOR DUMPING OF SPOIL IN CHAMPHAI – ZOKHAWTHAR ROAD Public consultations – Melbuk Village Date Place of Environmental Issues Response of PIU consultation raised by people 27.12.2013 Melbuk The village council The PIU team explained to the members still villagers about design criteria of mentioned their desire the proposed project and the that the proposed corresponding compensation alignment of C – Z involved. They seem to have should pass through understood the situation. their village. The proposed disposal site for dumping of construction debris was visited with the village VC members and NGOs. The local NGOs indicated that they want to renovate the existing playground by dumping excess earth to the playground. The existing football ground is located about 800 Km from the proposed alignment of 17.50 km. Permanent side-drain of the playground is about 225 m along the peripheral of the playground. For protection work, Gabion wall of 148.00m and retaining wall of 40 m length. The community market shed is proposed to construct along the alignment at 16.80 Km. the quantity of earth that can be dumped at the existing playgrounds is estimated at about 20126.00 m3. As per the local peoples’ suggestion, the water required for construction of road and labour camp will be harvested from the water point located at 16.900 Km which is 200 m from Melbuk village. It will be needed to construct one water tank closed to the camp site. Since the village NGOs does not have their own village land, a private land, owned by Mr T. Lalliana was proposed for the camp site. He who was briefing clearly no land acquisition will be acquired for use of workers’ camp site. The camp site was proposed at 100m away from the proposed alignment. The proposed camp site can accommodate the space for installation of construction equipments such as crushers, hot mix plants etc. 181 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Public consultations – Mualkawi Village Date Place of Environmental Issues Response of PIU consultation raised by people 28.12.2013 Mualkawi The village council The PIU team explained to the members still villagers about design criteria of mentioned their desire the proposed project and the that the proposed corresponding compensation alignment of C – Z involved. They seem to have should pass through understood the situation. their village. The proposed disposal site for dumping of construction debris was visited with the village NGOs. The local NGOs indicated that they want to renovate the existing two playgrounds by dumping excess earth to the playgrounds. The existing football grounds are located about 0.70 Km (Playground 1) and 0.90 Km (Playground 2) from 9.3 Km of the proposed alignment. Permanent side-drain of Playground 1 is about 125 m along the peripheral of the two playgrounds. For protection work, for the two playgrounds Gabion wall of 528 m and retaining wall of 45.00 m length. The site for community market shed is proposed at 7.6 Km was also finalised. The quantity of earth that can be dumped at the two playgrounds is estimated at about 32692 m3. As per the local peoples’ suggestion, the water required for construction of road and labour camp will be harvested from Dam Tuikhur which is 0.8 Km from the camp site. It was proposed to construct of one reservoir and a site for the same was also chosen from which water can be drawn by gravity to the work site and labour camp. The reservoir will be an asset to the villagers after the construction is over. Labour camp site was also finalised in consultation with the local people. The camp site was proposed at 0.9 Km from the proposed alignment. The proposed camp site can accommodate the space for installation of construction equipments such as crushers, hot mix plants etc. 182 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Public consultations : Zotlang Village Date Place of Environmental Issues Response of PIU consultation raised by people 28.12.2013 Zotlang The village people The PIU Team made a wanted to maintain the commitment that the approach existing approach road road will be maintained as good as to the camp site in the existing condition during and good condition during after construction work is over. and after project construction is over. The proposed disposal site for dumping of construction debris was visited with the village NGOs. From the local NGOs’ information, the existing playground was under renovation contract of NBCC Company. The NBCC people will need a huge quantity of earth debris for renovation of the playground. It may be necessary to have a discussion with the NBCC official for dumping of earth spoil. The existing football grounds are located along the alignment in between 2.6 to 2.8 Km. The site for community market shed is proposed along the alignment of 3.6 Km was also finalised. The quantity of earth that can be dumped at the playground is estimated at about 17640 m3. As per the local peoples’ suggestion, the camp site proposed was located at 1.2 Km from 3.6 Km chainage of the alignment. The water requirement for the camping may be harvested from the natural spring located in the vicinity of the camp site area. The proposed camp site can accommodate the space for installation of construction equipments such as crushers, hot mix plants etc. Since adequate dumping site was not found within premises of the villages located along the proposed alignment, the PIU team also had a discussion with the local NGOs of Ruantlang village. Ruantlang village is located adjacent to Zotlang village. As per the suggestion of the local NGOs, 8692.00 cu.m of the earth debris can be dumped at the existing playground with protection wall provision of retaining wall 20 m length and 138 m length of gabion wall. 183 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Public consultations : Zokhawthar Village Date Place of Environmental Issues Response of PIU consultation raised by people 28.12.2013 Zokhawthar Nil Nil The Zokhawthar village didnot has the village land. Their existing playground does not need renovation. They don’t have appropriate place for dumping of the earth debris. For labours’camp site, the NGOs of Zokhawthar suggested a site located within Nwe Hruaikawn village, which is 2.5 Km from Zokhawthar village. The PIU team visited recommended site with the local representatives of Zokhawthar and New Hruaikawn. Water requirement for the camp will be harvested from Lunglohtui, which is located at 0.7 Km from the camp site proposed. 184 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II List of participants in Melbuk 185 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 186 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II List of participants in Mualkwai 187 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II List of participants in Zotlang 188 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 189 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II List of participants in Zokhawthar 190 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure 9.1 (A) SUMMARY OF CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITY ON ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS (See EMP Table 3.1 for details)  The Contractor shall take full responsibility for the prevention of unhealthy or unsafe conditions and practices and for the promotion of healthy and safe working practices at the site e.g. safety equipment of "approved standard", suitable clothing, footwear, helmets, safety goggles, ear plugs, masks, gloves, etc, appropriate to the work being undertaken, as determined by the Contractor and by any additional requirements of the Client. If the Contractor fails to provide necessary clothing and equipment the Client shall be entitled to provide the same and recover the cost from the Contractor. Safety equipment and clothing issued to workmen shall be replaced free of charge when no longer serviceable.  The Contractor shall erect and maintain all necessary temporary fencing, barricades, barriers, signs and lights for the prevention of accidents or unsafe practices to the satisfaction of the Client. Signs shall include but not be limited to standard warning signs, danger signs, control signs and direction signs in addition to the safety notices specified elsewhere in this section. All such signs shall be clearly legible in both Nepali and English and the Contractor shall maintain them in a clean and legible condition for the duration of the works.  In the execution of the contract the Contractor shall take all practicable measures necessary to conserve and protect the environment on and in the vicinity of the Site. Particular topics for consideration include:  Avoidance of pollution (air, land, surface and ground water)  Preservation of flora and fauna  Avoidance of nuisance and hazard from noise and dust  Safe disposal of all wastes including excavated materials in safe/ designated sites with approved protection measures  The Contractor shall take all feasible steps to prevent pollution of the nearby river/pond by deleterious substances arising from the work. Unless otherwise specified, the cost of all measures needed to comply with this requirement shall be deemed to be included in the Contractor’s rates and prices.  As part of the Environmental Management, the Contractor shall implement necessary remedies to protect the surrounding environment.  The Contractor shall take all reasonable steps to minimise air pollution, whether from exhaust emissions, construction processes and materials, construction traffic or site 191 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II operations and shall document such arrangements. Safety of workers and commuters shall be the responsibility of the Contractor.  The Contractor shall at all times operate his equipment and vehicles so as to minimise exhaust emissions and in any case within the limits established by the government authority. If in the opinion of the Client the exhaust gas emissions of any of the Contractor’s equipment or vehicles are excessive, whether due to poor engine adjustment, low fuel quality, inefficient operating conditions or other rectifiable cause, the Client may instruct that such equipment or vehicles cease operation until adequate corrective actions have been carried out and the Contractor shall comply with such instruction immediately.  The Contractor shall assign a qualified person with additional responsibility of environmental safeguards to promote and maintain sound environmental management during the construction period. This person shall have authority to issue instructions including to the subcontractors, if any, and shall take precautionary measures to prevent environmental damage, including but not limited to the establishment of environmentally-sound working practices, pollution prevention systems and training of staff and labours, if necessary.  The Contractor shall make all necessary arrangements to prevent damage to agricultural land.  The Contractor shall minimise waste generation and implement waste management procedure along with re-use and recycle the waste. 192 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Annexure 9.1 (B) CONTRACT CLAUSES RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES OF THE PROJECT As per General Conditions of Contract (GCC) (FIDIC 4th edition 1987, reprint in 1992 with amendments ) As per GCC following clauses are applicable to the above: Clause 11.1: Inspection of Site Clause 13.1: Work to be in accordance with contract Clause 14.1: Programme to be submitted Clause 16.1: Contractor’s employees Clause 16.2: Engineer at liberty to object Clause 19.1: Safety, Security and Protection of the Environment Clause 19.2: Employer’s Responsibilities Clause 26.1: Compliance with Statutes, Regulations Clause 27.1: Fossils Clause 29.1: Interference with traffic and adjoining properties Clause 30.1: Avoidance of damage to roads Clause 30.4: Waterborne traffic Clause 32.1: Contractor to keep site clear Clause 33.1: Clearance of site on completion Clause 39.1: Removal of Improper work, Material or Plant Clause 39.2: Default of contractor in compliance Clause 40.1: Suspension of work Clause 40.2: Engineer’s determination following suspension 193 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Clause 49.4: Contractor’s failure in carry out instructions Clause 64.1: Urgent Remedial Work As per Technical Specification of the contract As per Technical Specification of the contract following clause and sub clauses are related to Environment, Health and Safety issues of the project: Sanitation The Contractor shall provide adequate water-borne sanitation and refuse collection and disposal, complying with the Laws of India and all local By-Laws, and to the satisfaction of the Engineer, for all offices, laboratories, workshops, houses, huts, camps, etc erected by the contractor and maintained in his care should a standby generator be considered necessary the contractor must provide same. Water supply The Contractor shall provide potable water, complying with the Laws of India and all local By- Laws, and to the satisfaction of the Engineer, for all offices, laboratories, workshops, houses, huts, camps, etc erected by the contractor and maintained in his care. 194 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II 1. Traffic and diversions The Contractor shall at all times maintain the traffic flow along existing roads, rivers and canals and take all necessary measures for the safety of traffic, pedestrians and workers. The Contractor shall provide, erect, operate and maintain signs, markings, lights, barricades and traffic control equipment in accordance with the India Road Transport Authority’s Traffic Signs Manual, unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall provide and maintain all detours, temporary roads, temporary bridges, necessary barricades, warning lights and signs as well as other equipment at all hours during the day or night. The Engineer’s approval of plan and section drawings of proposed detours, tempora ry roads and temporary bridges shall be obtained by the contractor before any work is commenced. Where the work site taken up part of the road only and the full width of the road can be restored for night time traffic, the Engineer may give permission for control of the traffic through the works area by use of flagmen or electronically controlled mobile traffic lights, without the need for construction of bypass roads, but the Engineer’s approval will only be given if, and while, the Contractor demonstrates that sufficient resources are applied and maintained for this purpose. Where construction interferes with the existing roads, track and footpaths, other than as noted above, provision shall be made to a similar standard that existed prior to the works for the free movement of traffic and pedestrians. The Contractor shall take all necessary steps to avoid or minimize delays and inconvenience to road users during the course of the works. Notwithstanding the above any diversion of the National Highways shall comply to at least the minimum standard stated as following:  Minimum carriageway width of 7.3 metres  Minimum horizontal radius of 25 metres  Maximum gradient of 1 in 33  The construction shall be sufficient for the smooth uninterrupted passage of all traffic and have a bituminous surface. The Contractor shall supply all temporary signs, lights and other equipment, to the approval of the Engineer, to ensure smooth and safe flows of traffic. Also the Contractor shall take all reasonable precautions to prevent damage to vehicles from construction equipment or materials and shall be responsible for any claims arising from such damage. The Contractor shall in due time and at least 30 (thirty) days before any diversion, interruption or impediment to traffic takes place, submit a detailed stage progremme for the Engineer’s approval. The programme shall show all arrangements necessary to ensure a smooth traffic flow. Upon completion of the Works, all temporary roads, temporary bridges, barricades, signs and other equipment shall be completely removed, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Engineer. From the date of Commencement of the Contract to the date of the Completion or Partial Completion Certificate the Contractor shall also be responsible for maintenance of, and repair of damage, to all existing features, 195 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II constructions, structures, pavements etc which come within the limits of the site irrespective of he cause of the damage, unless that cause is determined to be an accepted risk and the repairs are determined to be a compensation event. If in the opinion of the Engineer the Contractor has failed to properly repair or maintain existing or temporary construction, or provide sufficient or appropriate warning signs, lights, barricades etc. he shall instruct the Contractor, in writing, to provide such sign as he considers appropriate for protection of traffic, pedestrians, employees and the works. If the Contractor fails to respond within the time given by the Engineer, the Engineer may suspend works which interfere with traffic until such time as the Contractor provides sufficient signs etc. as the Engineer has directed, or the Engineer may arrange to provide the required signs etc. at cost to the Contractor, these costs being deducted from monies due to the Contractor under the Contractor. These costs will include any costs for missing or stolen items not returned to the Engineer at the completion of works or when replaced by the Contractor. CONTRACTOR’S GENERAL OBLIGATIONS Site Establishment, Maintenance and Demobilisation The Contractor is to allow for the provision, maintenance and removal at the end of the Contract of all offices, stores, covered workshops, canteens, toilet facilities, accommodation and camps etc. for his own use, required to execute the Works in accordance with the Contract Documents. In addition, the Contractor is to allow for complying with his obligations for safety, security and protection of the environment described in the Contract Documents and in particular in General Conditions of Contract Clause-19.1. No separate payment will be made for this work done under this item, all these activities shall be deemed to be the General Obligations of the Contractor included in his rates Compliance with the General Conditions of Contract and Special Conditions of Contract The Contractor will comply completely with the requirements of the General Conditions of Contract as amended by the Special Conditions of Contract and he is to ensure that all such items not identified elsewhere are covered by in the unit rate work items. No separate payment will be made for this work done under this item, all these activities shall be deemed to be the General Obligations of the Contractor included in his rates Sign Boards The Contractor shall supply, erect, maintain and remove on completion project sign boards at each public entrance to the site giving brief details of the project in English and Bengali, including but not limited to, the names of the Donor, Contractor, Employer and Consultant. The wording, colours and style of the signs and size of lettering and the like shall be to the approval of the Engineer. There will be no separate payment for this work performed by the Contractor. This work shall be considered a part of the general obligations of the Contractor and incidental to his work. 196 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Disposal of Material outside the Right of Way The Contractor shall make his own arrangements for the disposal of materials outside the right of way and he shall be responsible for all costs involved. When any material is to be disposed of outside the right of way, the Contractor shall obtain a written permit from the property owner on whose property the disposal is to be made. The permit shall designate the disposal location. The Contractor shall obtain the Engineer’s approval before proceeding. When material is disposed of as provided above and the disposal location is visible , the Contractor shall dispose of the material in a neat and uniform manner complying with the requirements of the environment statutory laws/regulation all to the satisfactions of the Engineer. No extra payment would be made for services required under this Clause and the same shall be deemed to have been included in the general obligation of the Contractor. Storage of Material Materials shall be stored in such a manner as to ensure preservation of their specific quality and suitability for use in the Works. Stored materials shall be located so that they are readily available for use and can be easily inspected by the Engineer. Private property shall not be used for storage purposes without the written permission of the owner or lessee. Storage sites shall be free of vegetation and debris, free draining and if necessary shall be elevated. Material placed directly on the ground shall not be used in the Works unless the site has been prepared and surfaced with a 10 (ten) centimeter layer of sand or gravel to the satisfaction of the Engineer. Stockpiled material shall be stored in such a manner as to prevent segregation and excessive moisture content. The maximum height of stockpiles shall be limited to five metres. Stockpiling of the various aggregates to be used for asphalt concrete, bituminous surface treatment, penetration macadam or concrete will be permitted only in separate stockpiles for each nominal size of aggregate. These shall be separated to prevent mixing of materials. Aggregate stockpiles for base course and sub-base shall be protected from rain to prevent saturation of the aggregates which would result in a reduction in the quality of the placed material or adversely affect the placement of the material. Protection of Public Service Facilities Immediately on receipt of the notice to commence the works, the Contractor shall make a survey to identify all surface and under ground Electric/Telephone poles, service lines viz gas/fuel pipe, water line, survey Bench Marks (BM) and other facilities etc. likely to impede/obstruct his works and shall submit a survey and chainage wise list of these obstructions to the Engineer. Any services affected by the Works shall be temporarily supported by the Contractor who shall also take all measures reasonably required by the various bodies to protect their services and property during the progress of the works. 197 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II No separate payment shall be made for the survey, identification and any temporary support or protection of services, as it will be deemed to be under the general obligation of the Contractor. As directed by the Engineer, the Contractor will arrange for the relocation and/or removal of public services by the appropriate authority. Work Programme The programme required by Clause-14.1 of the General Conditions of Contract shall be updated monthly, unless agreed otherwise with the Engineer, and shall be in the form of a bar chart and time/location chart, covering all the main items of work, showing their interrelation with and interdependence on other items of work, and be laid out in a format which will permit progress of the various items to be indicated on it throughout the execution of the work. It shall be supported by a critical path network in form capable of being updated, showing all requisite operations, earliest and latest start and finish dates, durations, float and critical activities. The work programme should include implementation of environment Health and safety issues. Health and Safety The Contractor shall in addition to complying with the specific requirements of the General Conditions and with the national standards of the Government of India in respect of health and safety, observe and maintain standards, towards all of his employees, not less than those laid down in India Standards and by his own national standards or statutory regulations. He should take all reasonable steps including training and safety drill to ensure the safety of all persons on the site, whether in his employ or not. Safety is paramount. The contractor shall provide all appropriate protective clothing and equipment (PPE) for the work to be done and ensure its proper use. Where required safety nets, belts, belts harnesses and life belts and rescue boats shall be provided. All safety and rescue equipment shall be fully maintained and available for use at all times. The contractor shall provide and maintain in prominent and well-marked positions all necessary first aid equipment, medical supplies and other facilities. A sufficient number or trained personnel shall be available at all times to render first aid. A suitably equipped room shall be made available with beds and stretchers for emergency medical treatment, and a planned system for removal to hospital for authorized persons requiring further treatment shall be provided by the contractor. The contractor shall report to the Engineer promptly and in writing particulars of any accident or unusual or unforeseen the occurrences on the site, whether likely to affect progress of the work or not. No payment would be made for services under this Clause as the same shall be deemed to have been included in the general obligation of the Contractor. Safety Relating to Temporary Structures 198 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II The contractor must submit complete design calculations plans and technical details of all proposed temporary structures for the engineers prior approval before their construction commences. The engineer’s approval will not relieve the contractor of any contractual liabilities. The contractor must also ensure that all necessary safety regulations and precautions must be complied with during the erection, use and dismantling of temporary structures. No separate payment will be made for temporary structures which are not scheduled in the Bill of Quantities. They will have been deemed to have been included in the rate items listed in the Bill of Quantities. Environmental Requirement The Contractor shall comply, in addition to the specific requirements of the General Conditions and other parts of this Specification, with the requirements of the Environmental Monitoring guideline prepared in accordance with the requirement of Statutes/Law of India, DoE and Environmental Guidelines and International Standards. In respect of controlling damage to the environment and controlling pollution the Contractor shall be bound to follow the regulation/law of India and any statutory bodies or the requirement of such laws of his own home country whichever is more stringent. The Contractor is expected to prepare a Environmental Action Plan to achieve the objectives of their Environmental Implementation Schedule in line with the requirement of EMAP of the Employer. (1) Specific Environmental Concerns The specific environmental concerns are:  Emissions to air (dust, smoke etc.)  Emissions to land (solid and liquid domestic & industrial waste etc.)  Emission to water (dredge spoil, surface & foul water drainage etc.)  Noise and visual pollution These are now discussed one by one while it will be indicated to which particular contract they are applicable. (2) Emissions to Air  Generation of dust The spread of wind blown soil particles derived from unpaved haulage and access roads, reclaimed areas and stockpiles of soil, and dust from rock handling may cause a problem during the dry season if strong winds prevail. Such dust may cause health risks for the labourers and for the population living nearby. As part of his obligation to minimize disturbance to other users. The Contractor is required to water unpaved roads under dry weather conditions and impose speed limits on access and haulage roads. The nature of a major earthworks operation inevitably gives rise to a dust nuisance the effects of which are to be minimized as far as practicable by watering and route and speed control of vehicles. The dust nuisance from the Contractor’s crushing plant is to be controlled by the use of water sprays.  Air pollution Exhaust emissions caused by the use of vehicles, machinery and other engine driven equipment used by 199 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II the contractors should not exceed the exhaust emission standards as set forward in the tables below, which are based on the India emission standards for gaseous exhausts – Bharat stage III and IV The ambient air quality in and around the work site should meet the standard values for ambient air quality described in National Ambient Air Quality standards for different categories of environments (NAAQS 2009) Garbage separation - All chemical products must be collected separately from the “normal garbage” - Used oil must be collected into “used oil” drums. - Used batteries must be collected in “used batteries” storage for recycling - Used oil fuel filters must be collected in a leakage free drum Garbage collecting system: The location of the garbage containers will be set out in the plan of the working area and camp area. The garbage from any vessels will be brought ashore. Garbage discharge: The garbage will be brought to a dedicated area approved for disposal by the Engineer. Other environmental procedures:- - Building/construction material must be ordered from the stores in the exact amounts needed, if possible in the right size, to minimize wastage. - All material must be stored in the correct way. - Leftover material (usable) must be re-used or recycled. - Discharging or charging of chemicals shall take place above a “leakage bin” - Cleaning of tools (painting) shall take place in a bin, suitable for handling solvents. - Causing nuisance shall be kept to a minimum - The working area must be kept clean and tidy - Effective maintenance of equipment is demanded. (3) Emission to water The Engineer is required to approve all work method associated with the excavating of soil below water level and subsequent disposal. Locations for disposal of soil excavated from below water level in order of preference are: (1) Disposal on land through hydraulic fill; (2) Disposal on char land if not occupied for agriculture; Unless approved otherwise, dredged material shall be deposited on land.  Land disposal - Test have revealed the presence of any toxic or polluting substance in the river bed material. - the bunds or embankments for the hydraulic fill are to be of such quality that no spills or breaches occur, damaging neighboring land; - to prevent water logging of agricultural areas in the flood plains surrounding hydraulic fill areas, drains shall be constructed around the embankments to evacuate water by gravity to the river; 200 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Aquate disposal - The concentration of suspended sediment in the effluent from the excavation works, discharged into natural or existing water courses shall never exceed 4,000 ppm. - Disposal of dredged material shall only take place on char land if not occupied for agricultural purposes or in the major river channel minimizing the impact on riverine transport and on aquatic (organisms living in or at the river bottom); Disposal of excavated earth and bentonite slurry The contractor shall ensure that no excavated earth / bentonite slurry will be thrown / disposed off in to the river. Noise and Visual Pollution  Visual pollution The contractor shall ensure all temporary works are kept neat and tidy and the site cleaned regularly.  Noise pollution The Contractor, in planning his works must recognize the distinction between noise pollution as experienced by the villagers living around the works and noise hazards to the labour working on the construction sites In the case of villagers the main forms of noise pollution will be: - pile driving - crushing plant - generators - haulage and compaction equipment - earth and rock moving equipment is of consideration. These activities should be confined to day time operation and not after 10pm. In the case of Contractors labour the impact of noise pollution on operators and adjacent personnel could be much more of a problem: Ear protectors shall be used in any environment where the noise may exceed the level of 80 dB(A). Notice boards must be placed in areas where the noise exceeds this level and where ear protectors must be worn. Noise levels should be measured if any doubt exists. Spot checks shall be made by Engineer with the assistance of Department of Environment to verify whether ear protectors (a) are provided by the various contractor and (b) are in fact used by the labour working in the noisy area. No payment will be made for services under this Clause as the same shall be deemed to have been included in the general obligation of the Contractor. Security The contractor’s responsibility for the security and safe working environment of the site commences from 201 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II the time possession is given to him by the Employer. As soon as possible after possession has been given, the boundary of the site shall be marked out, and the contractor shall submit to the Engineer for approval his proposals for maintaining the boundary and the security within the site. The contractor’s proposals shall include a security control system which shall consist of sufficient equipment and personnel to prevent unauthorized access and which can meet the prevailing circumstances to ensure the safety and security of persons and property on the site. The contractor shall erect and maintain at his own expense suitable and approved temporary fencing and gates to enclose certain areas of the works being carried out, the office and accommodation compounds, and other areas of land as may be necessary to implement his obligations under the contract or as directed by the Engineer. All authorized persons shall be registered by the Engineer and this register shall be provided and maintained by the contractor. No payment will be made for services under this Clause as the same shall be deemed to have been included in the general obligation of the Contractor. Cleaning (1) Description During the period of construction activity the contractor shall maintain the Works free from accumulations of waste, debris, and rubbish, caused by the constructions. At the completion of the works all waste and surplus materials, rubbish, tools, equipment and machinery shall be removed, all sight- exposed surfaces shall be cleaned and the project left in a condition ready for occupancy to the satisfaction of the Engineer. (2) During Construction  Execute regular cleaning to ensure that the site works, structures, temporaries, offices and accommodation quarters, are maintained free from accumulations of waste materials, rubbish, and other debris resulting from the site work operations and maintain the site in neat and orderly condition free from environmental hazards at all times.  Ensure that the drainage system is maintained free of debris and loose material and is in an operational condition at all times.  Ensure that grass growing on the existing or newly constructed berms and side slopes is regularly trimmed and maintained.  When required, spray dry materials and rubbish with water to prevent blowing dust or sand.  Ensure that traffic signs and the like are regularly cleaned free of dirt and other materials.  Provide on-site drum containers for the collection of waste materials, debris and rubbish awaiting removal from site.  Dispose of waste material, debris and rubbish at designed dumping areas and in accordance with National ordinance and pollution laws. 202 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II  Do not bury rubbish and waste material on the project site without the approval of the Engineer.  Do not dispose of volatile wastes such as mineral spirits, oil, or paint thinners in storm or sanitary drains or in places not approved by the Engineer or Statutory Authority having jurisdiction in such mattress.  Do not dispose of wastes into streams or waterways.  Should it come to the Contractor’s attention that the side drainage ditches or other parts or the drainage system are being used, whether by the Contractor’s employees or by others for the disposal of anything other than surface water he shall immediately report the circumstances to the Engineer and shall take action as directed by the Engineer to prevent any further pollution from occurring. (3) Final Clearing  At the completion of the Works the site shall be left clean and ready for use by the Employer. The Contractor shall also restore to original condition those portions of the site not designated for alternation by the Contract Documents.  At the time of final cleaning, all pavements, curbs, and structures shall be inspected for physical damage before final sweeping. Paved areas of the site and all public paved areas directly adjacent to the site shall be broomed clean. Other surfaces shall be raked clean and all resultant debris shall be completely removed. (4) Basis of Payment No separate payment will be made for the Contractor’s cleaning operations executed in accordance with this Clause of the specifications, the cost of this work being deemed to be included in the various lump sum pay items or unit rates of the tender for routine maintenance operations as specified in other Clauses of these Specifications. Use of fire wood The contractor shall ensure that in contractor’s camp no fire wood will be used for cooking or any other purposes. Signages All signs shall be erected vertically in positions with proper orientation with respect to traffic flow movement as shown on the drawing or as directed by the Engineer. Actual place of installation of signs will be decided by the Engineer depending on actual site condition. The type of sign to be used and its location shall be as shown on the drawing with respect to their type which has been catagorised as: - Warning Sign - Regulatory Sign - Advance Direction Sign - Destination Sign - Direction sign - Place identification sign. 203 EIA of Champhai-Zokhawthar Road Mizoram State road Project –II Post lengths shown on the drawing are for tendering purposes only. When progress of the work permits, the Engineer will authorise the location of each sign, with the station and offset distance from the edge of pavement. The contractor shall be responsible for the determination of post lengths to provide the vertical clearance shown on the drawing. At least 60 (sixty) days before the erection of any sign the contractor shall supply detailed drawings, specifications and a sample sign for the Engineer's approval. Once approved the signs supplied & erected shall be equal to or better than the sample and shall conform to the drawings and specifications approved. As per Special Condition of Contract (Conditions of Particular Application, COPA) As per Special Condition of Contract (Conditions of Particular Application, COPA) following clause and sub clauses are related to Environment, Health and Safety issues of the project: Sub - clause: 19.1: Safety, Security, and Protection of Environment Sub - clause: 34.1: Engagement of Staff and Labour Sub - clause: 34.2: Statement of Labour Used Sub - clause: 34.3: Labour welfare Sub - clause: 34.4: Living Accommodation Sub - clause: 34.5: Provision for Labour Sub - clause: 34.6: Behavior of Labour Force Sub - clause: 34.7: Fair Wages Sub - clause: 34.8: First Aid Facilities Sub - clause: 34.9: Action in the event of epidemics Clause: 73: Contractor’s Temporary Moorings Clause: 74: Life Saving Appliances and First Aid Equipments Clause: 78: Use of Explosives Clause: 79: Noise and Disturbance/ Pollution Clause: 79.2: Land of the law and reasonable precaution 204