Change in physiography: The character of the Indus River and its valley bottom will change from a fast flowing uncontrolled sediment-laden river with steep rocky slopes into a narrow controlled water reservoir (average width 365 m), extending about 73 km upstream at fsl (see Figure 4). The reservoir will penetrate several km inland in lateral valleys of tributaries and nullahs (small streams) and is expected to develop similar aquatic and terrestrial natural habitats as now can be found at the confluence of snow-fed small streams with the Indus. Farm lands on terraces along these minor streams, including small hamlets up to a level of 957 m, will be flooded by the reservoir. The reservoir will have a depth between 100 and 175 m near the dam. Reservoir storage volume is expected to decrease by 80 percent due to rapid sedimentation about 15 years after commissioning of the Dasu dam. Hence flushing will be carried out every year after the 15th year for releasing sediments from the reservoir. If however DB dam is commissioned by that time, sedimentation inflow into the Dasu reservoir will be reduced and flushing of Dasu will not be required for another 35 years. Downstream of the main structure the topography of the lower slopes of the valley will drastically change through excavation and blasting in order to create level terraces (154 ha) to establish construction yards, offices, camps, housing and disposal areas for the project.
Change in land use: Land use on about 3,900 ha will change as a consequence of the project (to be replaced by project infrastructure, resettlement villages, reservoir and KKH). Natural and semi-natural habitats in this area mainly consist of steep rocky slopes covered with Artemissia and low scrub vegetation (2,380 ha), river and nullahs (1067 ha), forest patches and tree clumps (50 ha) and exposed riverine sand areas (139 ha). Around 425 ha of farmland on terraces, grazing areas and some orchards will be flooded and disappear into the reservoir.
The total area covered by the reservoir is about 2,400 ha. The loss of natural and semi-natural habitats, both with limited biodiversity, is relatively minor and will be partly compensated by the natural development of a lacustrine and partly wetland environment with potential for fisheries and some tourism development. There are no critical habitats directly influenced by the project. The loss of farmland will be compensated under the resettlement framework and where available alternative new agricultural lands will be reclaimed at higher altitudes. Compensation for lost assets of affected households and persons has been indicated in a detailed eligibility matrix that is part of the RAP. Livelihood restoration (short-term and long-term) for those affected by loss of land is a major issue.
Loss of natural vegetation and trees: For the project some 21,000 trees will have to be cut, including 2,982 fruit and medicinal trees, most of them growing in the villages and along roads. Trees should be cut prior to the flooding of the reservoir area. Small bushes and other vegetation can be left to be inundated. Loss of trees and natural vegetation will have an effect on the collection of firewood. Selling of fire wood is an important source of income for the population of the project area and a common practice along the KKH both in winter season (heating and cooking) and summer (cooking). People will move to higher places in order to collect firewood. It is expected that the project will attract about 7,000 in-migrants. This influx will create a huge demand for firewood due to increased energy requirements for cooking and heating during winter. This is expected to increase the pressure on forest resources at higher altitudes. These areas, often covered by Himalayan temperate forests and Alpine forests, are already under severe stress. Mitigation of the loss of trees is included in the eligibility framework laid out in the RAP, and will also be compensated by planting trees (at a rate of 5:1) near the new resettlement sites, in the WAPDA colony, and along roads. The project will also support the local government to establish a market for the supply of non-timber fuels such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking and heating in order to reduce the pressure on firewood. At higher altitudes a project plan for afforestation and rejuvenation of forest will be prepared and implemented for the conservation and sustainable development of forest ecosystems in compliance with World Bank OP 4.36 on Forests. According to WWF-Pakistan this can only be done after an updated GIS forest inventory of Kohistan has been carried out. Such an inventory should be included in a forest and wildlife management study, which should be implemented during the construction phase of the project (see also section 7.5 under increased pressure on high altitude forests).
Impacts on natural habitat: The DHP reservoir will cover about 2,400 ha, which includes permanent flooding of about 1,800 ha of natural terrestrial habitat. Most of the affected terrestrial habitat is covered with barren rocks and slopes with little vegetation. Based on analysis of satellite imagery and field surveys, the affected land is mostly covered by barren slopes/rocks (61 percent), followed by river/nullahs (27 percent), grazing land/pasture (6 percent), exposed sand (3.5 percent), vegetation cover (1.3 percent), cultivated land (0.92 percent), and houses (0.13 percent). The key impact would include loss of about 82 ha of natural habitat from the Kaigah Community Game Reserve (including the area affected by KKH relocation).
Figure 4: Reservoir Area
The game reserve is bordered by the KKH and located at a short distance from the proposed quarry site. In the area limited hunting of Markhor (one license only) is allowed by the KP wildlife department. With the proceeds of the yearly auction of hunting rights a number of community development activities are financed, including construction of a few hunting lodges. About 1.6 percent of the 5,000 ha area of the game reserve will be permanently affected by the project due to reservoir submergence and KKH realignment. The permanently affected area is located on the lower elevations of the reserve, which is mainly inhabited by the community of Kaigah village and consists of residential areas, some agricultural fields, grazing areas, and also an existing quarry site. The rest of the area will be temporarily affected by noise from construction activities. (construction related impacts are discussed later in this chapter). In addition, there will be loss of about 160 ha natural habitat along the tributaries and about 1,550 ha of other natural terrestrial habitat with low biodiversity, consisting mainly of gravelly and rocky mountain slopes, often sparsely vegetated. Other natural habitats that may be indirectly affected by the project (through resettlement of people) are the forests and grazing areas mostly located at higher altitudes (>2,000 masl) as discussed above. To mitigate the potential impacts on these areas, the project will support the identification and development of two compensation areas (offsets) for conservation of natural habitat and wildlife, in compliance with World Bank OP 4.04.
Impacts on PCRs in project area: A total of 33 mosques (five of them are of wooden structure) together with houses and other structures in the affected villages will be flooded by the reservoir. In consultation with the local community it was agreed that the affected wooden mosques will be disassembled, transported and reassembled in the resettlement villages at higher elevations. The remaining 28 mosques will be replaced with new ones in the resettlement villages. Also 16 graveyards spread over the valley will be submerged by the reservoir. Alternative proposals for mitigation were discussed with the various communities. Most preferred to leave the graves at the place of burial. Other cultural resources that will not be submerged but should be protected against adverse impacts from the project are the burial ground in Seo, which is near the disposal areas and the cluster of petroglyphs (rock carvings) near Shatial, which is part of a much larger field of 50,000 rock carvings extending from Shatial over more than 100 km towards the bridge of Raikot. This is one of the largest fields of rock art in the world, with carvings dating from the Stone Age (9th millennium BCE) to the Buddhist period. The project will support the KP Archaeological Department in procuring the land where the rock carvings of Shatial are located, providing proper fencing and protection of the carvings and developing tourist facilities at the site. Also support for documentation will be provided, In case of any chance finds discovered during construction activities, the works will be stopped in the area and the Archaeological Department will be informed. Provisions for this will be included in the contracts and a qualified archeologist will be on standby during the construction period. Furthermore, an archaeological survey will be carried out by an archaeologist engaged by WAPDA before the commencement of construction activities in the project area to identify any PCR sites/artifacts.
Impacts due to increased traffic and transportation: During the design stage and during mobilization of the Contractor, traffic along KKH and in Dasu-Komila town will increase and this will only grow when construction starts. This will lead to congestion at certain places like the main street, central markets and bus stops. Apart from congestion there will be increased air pollution and noise at these places. This may result in friction with shopkeepers, hotel/restaurant owners and the general public. Road safety will decrease and risk of accidents will increase. In order to be prepared for this situation a Traffic Management Plan will be prepared by the PMU in cooperation with the Contractors and the local authorities. This plan should include a proposal for a by-pass road along the main markets of Dasu-Komila. In total about 13 km of by-pass roads are foreseen.
Inundation of 52 km of KKH: Around 52 km of the KKH will be submerged by the reservoir. This part of the road lies between Dasu and Shatial. A new alignment will be constructed at a higher level on the left bank of the Indus. A total of 65 km of highway will be constructed, including 10 km of road downstream of the dam and a link road 3 km long. Eight new bridges on the KKH will have to be built to cross nullahs and small streams. About 45 ha of land will be acquired for road construction purposes.
Loss of access to villages: Two suspension bridges over the Indus connecting both river banks and some secondary access roads on the right bank will be lost. As compensation for these losses a new suspension bridge near Kandia and a total of 35 km of new access roads, from Komila to Kandia bridge, will have to be built, all at a higher level on the right bank of the Indus. A new jeepable track of 18 km along the right bank north of Kandia bridge will provide access to the villages on the right bank. All new settlement sites should be provided with good access roads. Other existing facilities for pedestrians to cross the river, such as foot bridges and cable cars should be replaced by appropriate alternatives.