A Requirement of EIA for launching of new project in Nepal

Babu Ram Rai

1. Introduction
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems have been evolved in the
developed countries that are applicable to EIA activities in Nepal for environmental
management. EIA has its own key processes that are directly pertinent to foster the
sustainable development as well in Nepal. The processes are scoping, impact identification,
impact prediction, mitigation, monitoring, and evaluation able to hinder environmental
impacts from various development activities. Those activities are the construction of road,
establishment of industry, preparation of hydropower, pipeline project, and other activities
rendering high environmental impact on the project area. If not apply an EIA on prior to
lunch any development works, friendly environment might be rampant on the earth.

Some decade ago, Arun-thar hydro-power project had been collapsed due to the
high propaganda of environmental issues. However, there are some other factors behind it
as well. So, there should be passive but not panic on the environmental impacts and issues
of development activities from developer, planner, and environmentalist. The EIA report of
Arun-thar hydro power project is reviewed and found adverse impact on the dense forest,
species, and agriculture land by the proposed project but not found better alternatives and
mitigation measures to minimize the impacts over the road and project site.

2. Issue Identification
Major issues are identified by Questionnaire survey, observation and focus group
discussion. These issues are environmental and socio-economic issue. These issues are
raised due to the construction of road and pipeline for petroleum products supply, and other
infrastructures development. Large scale of natural resources and energy are used in the
road construction as well as pipeline construction causing the environmental impacts are
the loss of farmland and biodiversity, changes in hydrology and drainage pattern, soil
erosion and sedimentation; water pollution; and changes in landscape and ecosystems.

Similarly, air pollution is also found due to the pressure of vehicles in the operation
phase of road construction and pipeline construction causing a disturbance to roadside
habitats and animals. One example about pipeline; Nepal Oil Corporation is going to
launch a pipeline project from Raxaul to Amleggunj for sustainable petroleum product
supply of which impacts is gradually increased over the pipeline project site. So, the
pipeline project requires EIA for better handling and accomplishing the project.

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3. Mitigation Measure
The proponent of the proposed project is responsible for the environmental impacts
over the project area. It manages the environmental pollution with required mitigation
measures using EMP as followings:

3.1 Ambient Air Quality Loss

The emission anticipated during construction period will include dispersing dust
due to excavation of soil, leveling of soil, use of DG sets, movement of heavy construction
equipments/vehicles, project site clearing and other activities. High volume of emission
causes Ambient Air Quality deterioration in the surrounding of the project. The project
should fix the receptors and devices. First, the project should settled the receptors over the
all direction to measure the parameters volume of pollutants that records help to make
better decision by the supreme body of the project.

3.2 Soil Contamination

Hazardous chemicals/oils during handling may lead to soil contamination. Top soil
will be eroded in the construction phase of the project due to the underground storage tank
installation for the LPG bottling project. Similarly, road and pipeline construction may play
major role to destroy the top soil. High quantity of oil using in operation phase causes soil
contamination. The proposed project should manage soil pollution by using modern
treatment plant to manage hazardous chemicals/oils before discharge to soil from the
proposed project. Samples of the soils are collected regularly and tested as well.

3.3 Noise Pollution

The proposed project will lead to volume of noise that may have significant impact
on the surrounding communities in terms of increase in noise levels and associated
disturbances during construction and operation phase of the proposed project. Some of the
activities which may increase level are noise generated from operation of pumps and
blower, noise generated from vehicular movement, noise generated from DG Set, etc.

However, the proposed project will manage noise pollution with Purchasing
advanced machines that may produce low noise level which makes environmentally sound
area. Measuring equipment for noise level will set in the proposed project site and the
health of all workers should be checked periodically. Sound proofing room might be
provided in the proposed project: for eg: slaughter house, and airports.

3.4 Water Contamination

The proposed project should manage the contamination of water with promoting
rain water harvesting as well as installing treatment plants. Rainwater from the landscape
area and hard cape area should be used to recharge the ground water sources through
recharge pit Provision of Storm water drainage system with adequate capacity, proper

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maintenance of storm water drainage. Waste water should not be joint to stream and land without
treatment.

3.5 Fire Fighting System

The pipeline project and LPG bottling plants should manage plenty of water to control
fire burning case in surrounding of the project area. Similarly, it should have equipment and
exposer whereas fire fighting system consisting of pump with motor, frame, valves, pump with
diesel engine, fire hydrant post, fire water monitors, fire extinguishers, fire warehouse real with
jet nozzles, sand bucket, Manual and electrically operated Siren, pipe lines etc. Moreover the
project should have trained manpower for handling various accidental cases.

4. Environmental Impacts & Monitoring

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) provides an essential link between
predicted impacts and mitigation measures during implementation and operational activities of
the proposed project. EMP outlines the mitigation, monitoring and institutional measures to be
taken during project implementation and operation to avoid or mitigate adverse environmental
impacts. The Monitoring covers on the environment like Air Environment, Noise Environment,
Water Environment, Land Environment, Biological Environment, Flora and Fauna, Socio-
economic environment, Health and Safety, Topography,Greenery, andRainwater harvesting.Only
two environmental issues among them are explained as follows:

(a) Biological Environment:

The pipeline project will affect the forest land, agriculture land, settlement, water shed,
and other man made things. Stream and living creatures might be polluted and collapsed
respectively due to the pipeline project. Some forest area in the project site, has found tiger, fox,
jackal, and deer are affected. However, EMP manages them with periodically record keeping and
solving the immediate raising and creating problems. For eg: Development of new plantation
with carefully selected plant species is of prime importance to reduce noise and air pollution as
well.

(b) Socio-economic environment:

EMP can manage socio-economic impacts from the pipeline project producing air and
water pollution which is generated in the both construction and operation phases. Similarly, the
pipeline project should step on impact minimization towards the settlements, schools, health
posts and others as well. The project should think positively providing social welfare programs
over affected areas. For eg.free health check up, scholarship for affected communities, supply of
drinking water, job opportunities, and better accessibility. Provision of compensation is also
another supporting part accomplishing the proposed project in success full manner.