The project’s potential impacts and their significance have been assessed using the methodology described in Section 7.2 above. A summary of these impacts and their significance is presented in Table 6.
Table 6: Potential Impacts and Their Significance Impact Phase Sensitivity Magnitude Significance Prior
to Mitigation Mitigation and Enhancement Measure Residual Significance Environmental impacts due to project siting:
Changes in physiography and landform All phases Mild Major Moderate adverse Development and implementation of a Landscape and Replanting Plan in the project footprint areas
Low adverse Change in land use (3,900 ha) t
Pre-construction, Construction
Severe Major High adverse Compensation and assistance to affected households and communities according to eligibility matrix of RAP
Implementation of landscaping and plantation plan
Low to moderate adverse Loss of natural vegetation and trees
Pre-construction, Construction
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Planting of native trees near resettlement villages and along roads
Promoting the use of alternatives to fuel wood
Afforestation and Forest Rejuvenation Plan
Low to Moderate Adverse Inundation of 33 mosques in affected villages
Pre-construction, Construction
Severe Medium High adverse Disassembling and rebuilding of five wooden mosques in new resettlement villages at higher elevations, as discussed and agreed with the communities.
Replacement of remaining 28 mosques with the new ones in resettlement villages.
Minimal
Impact of increased traffic and transportation on KKH
All phases Severe Medium High adverse Traffic Management Plan, including awareness raising and safety measures
Major Critical Realignment and construction of 62 km of new KKH at higher level
Minimal Loss of bridges and access roads connecting
villages on right bank
All phases Severe Major High adverse Building of a new suspension bridges over the reservoir and construction of new access roads along the right bank
Minimal Adverse impacts on natural habitat All phases Severe Major High adverse Study, selection and implementation of minimum two
community-led conservation activities in the DHP sub-catchment areas
Supporting and promoting conservation activities in Kaigah game reserve
Compensation of community for any losses from sales of hunting permits during construction stage
Moderate to high adverse
Social impacts due to Project Siting:
Change in land use (3,900 ha) Pre-construction and construction
Severe Major High adverse Prepare and implement RAP; temporary lease of land needed for construction facilities
Severe Major High adverse Compensation and assistance to affected households and communities according to eligibility matrix of Resettlement Action Plan
Moderate to high adverse
Relocation of shops/commercial establishments
Pre-construction,
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Compensation for lost assets and commercial enterprises
Assistance and livelihood restoration of affected persons
Low to moderate
Impact Phase Sensitivity Magnitude Significance Prior
to Mitigation Mitigation and Enhancement Measure Residual Significance
Construction according to RAP adverse
Loss of civic amenities
Pre-construction, Construction
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Rebuilding of civic amenities by project Minimal
Loss of 143 ha agricultural land and 280 ha grazing land
Pre-construction, Construction
Severe Medium Moderate adverse Compensation for lost land, crops and fruit trees and livelihood assistance according to RAP
Implementation of Income and Livelihood Restoration Plan and Area Development and Community Support Program
Moderate to high adverse
Increased pressure on high altitude forests and grazing areas
All phases Mild Medium Moderate adverse Forest management plan, including forest rejuvenation Moderate adverse Impacts of construction of 132 kV power supply
line for project and colony
Pre-construction Construction
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Compensation of owners of land
Avoiding residential and agricultural areas and dense forest
Reduction of health hazards for community and workers
Minimal
Generation of sustainable employment Construction and Operation
Mild Medium Moderate beneficial Fixed quota for local workers and technicians
Vocational training; monitoring of labor rights, workforce composition, working and living conditions
High beneficial Increased economic activity All phases Mild Medium Moderate beneficial Establishment of new businesses and commercial enterprises;
local employment
Moderate beneficial Environmental Impacts during Construction:
Increased traffic on KKH and local access roads Construction Severe Medium High adverse Traffic Management Plan, including awareness raising and safety measures
Low adverse Impacts on Kaigah Community-managed Game
Reserve
Construction Severe Medium High adverse Monitoring of noise levels during the quarry operation
Reduction of duration, timing and strength of blasting operations and vibrations according to internationally recognized standards
Use of Kaigah quarry only for borrowing material for dam construction and construction of the new KKH section (limited period)
Control of access to the reserve area for workers and public in cooperation with the community
Awareness raising of workers, employees and general public regarding the importance of this area
Moderate adverse
Impact on river habitat due to construction activities and drying of river section between two coffer dams
Construction Mild Medium Moderate adverse Control of waste water and sediment releases to river
Water quality management protocols in ECPs
Studies to improve aquatic baseline data; monitoring
Low adverse
Fish entrainment and mortality Construction and Operation
Mild Minor Low adverse Protection measures at inlets of tunnels to deter movement of fish
Low adverse Potential risk air, noise, soil and water pollution
by construction works
Construction Medium Medium Moderate adverse Pollution Prevention Plans to be prepared by Contractor
ECP plan by Contractor
Minimal Risk of pollution from solid waste and waste
effluents
Construction Mild Medium Moderate adverse Waste Disposal and Effluent Management Plan
ECP by Contractor
Minimal
Impact Phase Sensitivity Magnitude Significance Prior
to Mitigation Mitigation and Enhancement Measure Residual Significance Loss of land in disposal areas Construction Low Minor Minimal Re-use plan for rock material
Disposal Area Management and Restoration Plan
Minimal Impacts of noise and dust from construction,
traffic and use of explosives
Construction Severe Medium High adverse No blasting during night time
Awareness raising and grievance mechanism
Minimal Increased risk of landslides Construction
and Operation
Severe Medium High adverse Permanent monitoring in construction areas
Preventive measures in high alert areas
Emergency Preparedness Plan
All phases Mild Minor Moderate adverse Use of non-wood fuel for cooking and heating
Improvements to community forestry management
Code of conduct for workers and employees
Awareness raising for workers and protection of flora and fauna
Moderate adverse
Risk of water pollution of storage tanks in reservoir area
Construction Mild Minor Low adverse Removal of oil tanks and other potential sources of pollution from reservoir area
Minimal Shortages in local water supply and sanitation in
residential areas
Construction Mild Medium Moderate adverse Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Plan to be prepared by Contractor independent from local domestic services
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Landscaping plan; establishing nurseries
Plantation of trees conditions and health risks for workforce
Construction and Operation
Severe Medium High adverse Traffic Management Plan addressing general access
Safety and security actions and procedures to protect local community
Occupational Health and Safety Plan to be implemented
Emergency Preparedness Plan; Contractor follows IFC Performance; Standards on Labor and Working Conditions;
Safety training for workers
Severe Major High adverse Awareness campaign
Development of Migration Management Plan
Grievance mechanisms to address complaints
Minimal
Conflict due to inpparopriate behavior by workers
Construction and Operation
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Awareness campaign; Code of conduct for workers
Grievance mechanism
Minimal Reduced safety and health risks by interaction of
workforce with local residents
Construction and Operation
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Public Health Action Plan
Safeguards and awareness raising against communicable diseases
Minimal
Increased load on local services and supplies Construction Mild Medium Moderate adverse Contractor to procure camp supplies in a manner not affecting availability of essential commodities
Minimal Environmental impacts during Operation and Maintenance:
Impact on 571 ha of aquatic habitat along Indus and its tributaries in reservoir area
Operation Mild Medium Moderate adverse Developing of fish hatchery with native snow carps for stocking fish in the affected tributaries and reservoir
Monitoring of spawning areas
Low to moderate adverse
Impact Phase Sensitivity Magnitude Significance Prior
to Mitigation Mitigation and Enhancement Measure Residual Significance
Monitoring programs Impacts of first filling of reservoir on safety of
people and livestock and stability of slopes
Operation Severe Major High adverse Awareness campaign and warning signs
Slow rate (1 m/day)
Permanent monitoring of slopes
Minimal
Barrier effect to fish migration Operation Mild Medium Moderate adverse Compensatory fish hatchery
Study of fish migration; establishment of baseline data
Low to moderate adverse Reduced water flows between dam and tailrace
(4.4 km) during low flow season
Operation Very Severe
Major Critical Release of 20 m3/s of environmental flow from dam and 222 m3/s from tail race
Downstream monitoring and adjustment of flows if required
Moderate to high adverse Impact on downstream and aquatic habitats and
fish due to changes in water flows and quality (temperature, DO, sedimentation)
Operation Mild Medium Moderate adverse Monitoring of downstream water quality and aquatic habitats Low to moderate adverse Impact of sedimentation on reservoir area Operation Severe Medium High adverse Yearly flushing after 10-15 years of operation
Reduction after completion of DB dam
Low adverse
Impact of daily reservoir operations during base-load operation
Operation Mild Moderate Moderate adverse Fish Conservation and Management Plan
Monitoring and study
Low adverse Impact on downstream fish and fisheries during
flushing operation
Operation Severe Major High adverse Flushing during high flow season (not in low flow/winter)
Development of ramp down criteria (5-10 cm/hr)
Monitoring dissolved oxygen and temperature in reservoir and de-stratification or simultaneous release of water from LLOs and spillways if required
Downstream monitoring of fish, habitats and sediments
Moderate to high adverse
Impact on downstream fish and fisheries due to changes in hydrological flows due to peaking operations
Operation (Post DB)
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Continuous operation of one turbine
Using remaining flow for peak operation
Low adverse
Risk of bird collision and electrocution with transmission cables
Construction and Operation
Mild Medium Moderate adverse Carrying out of avian risk assessment
Maintaining 1.5 meter spacing between energized
components and grounded hardware; covering energized parts and hardware
Installing visibility enhancement objects such as marker balls, bird deterrents, or diverters
Low adverse
Social impacts during Operation and Maintenance:
Creation of large number of employment opportunities through reservoir fisheries
Operation Severe Major High beneficial Fish Conservation and Management Plan
Employment of local people
Beneficial