Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project, India

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTANT SERVICES
SERVICES FIRMS SELECTION)

Project ID.: P151744 Cr.5838-

Cr.5838-IN
Assignment Title
Title: Conducting Environment Impact Assessment studies and Preparation of
Environment Management Plans
Plans for moderate to high risk activities under
World Bank funded HP Horticulture Development Project.

Reference No:
No PROC/HPHDP/C/PCU/EOI
PROC/HPHDP/C/PCU/EOI
The Government of Himachal Pradesh is implementing a World Bank funded
Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (HPHDP) and intends to apply part of
the proceeds for hiring experienced consultancy services for Conducting Environment
Impact Assessment
Assessment studies and Preparation of Environment Management Plans Plans for the
moderate to high risk activities as identified in the Environment and Social Management
Frame Work (ESMF) prepared by the project. The activities such as establishment of post-
harvest infrastructure, market yards, processing units, irrigation infrastructure and
effluent treatment plants/waste disposal, construction of approach roads to these facilities
etc. have potential of causing adverse impacts on environment. These subprojects require
assessment on case to case basis once selected and accordingly mitigation measures are to be
incorporated in the design stage by design consultant. The EMP should cover the construction and
operational phases of the sub-projects. In case of activities having low to moderate impact on
environment, the environmental guidelines (EGs) for undertaking scientific orchard management,
minor irrigation system, water management, demonstration orchards (PCDOs), PEQ of planting
material and village level Community Service Centers (CSCs), are to be incorporated in the design,
implementation and management of these activities. However, this classification of project
interventions in these two categories is subjective which may depend on new site specific issues or
information and detailed project activities not addressed in the ESMF of the Project.

1. The Project Director, Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project invites

eligible firms/ companies to indicate their interest for undertaking this assignment,
which includes the following:
1.1 To develop procedures, methodologies for Environment Management Plan for
implementation of moderate to high risk sub-projectbeing financed under the Project.
1.2 To conductsocio-environment base line survey for in-depth analysiss of adverse
environmental impacts.
1.3 Formulate activity specific detailed environment management plan (EMP) for moderate
to high risk project activities to be implemented at sub project level through exhaustive
consultations with all stake holders.
1.4 To assist PIUs and design team of service provider in planning, designing and
implementation of sub project activities having adverse impact on environment.
1.5 Develop monitoring protocols through an exhaustive consultation process for the
construction and operational phases of moderate to high risk project interventions,
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 specifying appropriate roles and responsibilities for the service provider and
implementing agencies for management&monitoring of environment and related
social issues at the sub-projects level.
1.6 Determine the training needs of institutions involved in the implantation of activities
having adverse impact on environment andprepare training module, training calendar
and impart trainings.
2. Interested firms should provide information demonstrating that they have the required
expertise and relevant experience to handle and accomplish the proposed assignment.
The short listing criteria are:

2.1 The firms core business being proposed in the area of assignment (submit company
profile).
2.2 Experience in carrying out similar assignments. Name, scope and cost of previous
comparable assignments undertaken in Public/Private/Government Sector and
particularly conducting EIA studies and preparation of EMP. For that the applicants
are requested to provide details of clients with their contact details (email, postal /
physical address etc.) and certificate of satisfactory performance of assigned job
from the client during the last five years.
2.3 Suitability of the qualifications and experience of the firms in related disciplines as
provided in the TOR and availability of key skills with the participating firm.
3. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Banks
Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits
& Grants] by World Bank Borrowers in January 2011, revised July 2014, setting forth the
World Banks policy on conflict of interest (www.worldbank.org).
4. Consultants may associate with other firms based in clients country in the form of a joint
venture to enhance their capacity to carry out the assignment.
5. The Consultant firm will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based
Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
6. Draft Terms of Reference and other related information can be downloaded from the
website www.hpmc.nic.inor
www.hpmc.nic.in www.devbusiness.com or can be obtained from the address
given below during office hours i.e. [1000 to 1700 hours]on any working day. Expressions
of interest must be delivered in a written form on the address below (in person, or by mail,
or by fax, or by e-mail) by22
by22.8.2017
22.8.2017
Project Director: Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Project
Attn: Sh. J.C. Sharma, Project Director

Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project

Dyerton Bizhub, Talland Bye Pass, Shimla -1
171001
Telephone: - 91-0177-2674465, Fax: 0177 2674936
Email : pdhphdp@gmail.com/hphdpsml@gmail.com

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 TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

FOR

HIRING CONSULTING FIRM FOR CONDUCTING ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT

STUDIES AND PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR MODERATE TO
HIGH RISK CATEGORIZED ACTIVITIES UNDER WORLD BANK FUNDED HP HORTICULTURE
DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has received financing from the World Bank toward the
cost of the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project (HPHDP) and the project
implementing entity of the Government i.e. Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development
Society (HPHDS) intends to apply part of the proceeds for conducting feasibility studies for
setting up modern flower market.

Issues of gaps and deficiencies in the horticulture sector in Himachal Pradesh are to be
addressed so as to transform this sector into more productive, efficient and profitable. Project
Development Objective (PDO) of HPHDP is to support small farmers and agro-entrepreneurs
in Himachal Pradesh to increase the productivity, quality and market access of selected
Horticulture commodities.

The Key Project Indicators (KPI) will be: (a) Productivity (in ton/ha) (i) of rejuvenated apple
orchards; and (ii) of new plantations of selected horticulture crops. (b) Percentage of Apple
Grades A, B and C. (c) Share of selected horticulture commodities sold through new
marketing channels for (i) Apple, and (ii) Tomato. (d) Direct project beneficiaries (number),
of which female beneficiaries (%).

The project will achieve the PDO by: (i) improving producers access to knowledge and
horticulture production technologies (including climate resilient technologies), and access to
financial services so that they are able to better respond to climate variability and emerging
market opportunities; (ii) promoting investments in agribusiness, fostering backward and
forward linkages in the value chains for horticulture products, piloting negotiable warehouse
receipts for horticulture commodities, and facilitating access to financial services for
agribusiness enterprises, including collectives such as producer companies; and (iii)
supporting the development of an improved platform for market-related information and
intelligence, developing new e-market channels outside of regulated markets, and improved
services provided by modernizing the promising traditional wholesale markets.

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OVERALL PROJECT STRUCTURE

The project comprises of four components:

Component A: Horticulture Production and Diversification: The objective of this component is
to enhance horticultural competitiveness at the farm level by supporting access to knowledge,
technology and finance in order to increase long term productivity and farm incomes in an
environment marked by changing market patterns and increased climate variability. This will
be achieved by: (i) enhancing producers access to disease free elite planting materials; (ii)
supporting sustainable intensification and diversification of horticultural production through
technology and knowledge transfer, including harvest, capture, collection, delivery and
distribution of water; (iii) strengthening applied research and development; and (iv)
enhancing access to and use of financial services by producers.

Component B: Value Addition and Agro- Agro-enterprise Development: The objective of this
component to improve value realization at the farm level, promote investments in
agribusiness, fostering backward and forward linkages in the value chains for horticulture
products, support supply chain infrastructure that prevents wastage and value erosion; and
enable secondary and tertiary processing that create higher value for the produce. This will
be achieved by: (i) building community/farm level marketing capacities and supporting them
through matching grants to acquire productive assets; (ii) establishing a modern supply chain
comprising pack-houses, controlled atmosphere (CA) stores, and processing facilities to be
operated under operational management arrangement with private partners; (iii) piloting
warehouse receipt systems linked to commodity exchanges; identifying, mobilizing and
supporting agro entrepreneurs; and (iv) co-financing investments and facilitating access
business advisory and to financial services for agribusiness enterprises, including collectives
such as producer companies

Component C: Market Development: The objective of this component is to provide an

improved platform for market-related information and intelligence, expand market access
through alternative marketing channels, enhance transparency in the price discovery process,
and improve market infrastructure. This will be achieved by: (i) supporting market
information and intelligence services; (ii) introducing of e-marketing platforms; and (iii)
upgrading wholesale markets.

Component D: Project Management,

Management, Monitoring and Learning: This component will ensure the
effective implementation of the project activities and monitor and evaluate project
implementation progress, outputs and outcomes, building on implementation experience.
This component will support: (i) establishment and operations of Project Coordination Unit
(PCU), which will oversee and coordinate activities of the implementing agencies of the
project; (ii) establishment and operations of Project Implementation Units in the respective

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implementing agencies; and (iii) setting up of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for
the project, including a project management information system and contracting an external
M&E agency to monitor project activities and impact. The component will also finance
dedicated staffing for the project activities that are attributable to the outcomes of the project,
consultancies, training and related material, office equipment, and operational costs

BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Project interventions are categorized on the basis of environmental impacts i.e. low-
moderate and moderate- high impacts. In case of low- moderate impact project activities
(water harvesting and distribution, irrigation systems, post entry quarantine (PEQ), demonstration
nurseries ;application, use and storage of pesticides and fertilizers; pest and disease surveillance,
Community Service Centre at selected level, management of pollinators, operation of Farmer Producer
Organizations (FPOs) and interventions related to climate change resilience, storage & marketing of
Produce etc.) which are not expected to cause any significant impact; the mitigation measures
as suggested in the ESMF are to be adopted to improve the environmental and social
performance of the project.

On the contrary, in case of moderate-major impact activities (like provisions of post-

harvest infrastructure, pack houses, market yards and agro- processing etc. and activities
likely to be associated with road construction, installation of machinery and waste disposal
etc.),Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) and preparation of Environment Management
Plan (EMP) are required. There may be number of other issues that might emerge during the
course of environment impact assessment which need to examined in the EMP. Present
assignment is confined to the EIA studies and preparation of EMP for the above said moderate
to major impacts activities and/or unforeseen activities falling under the high risk category
during the process of Project intervention.

OBJECTIVE OF PRESENT ASSIGNMENT

Develop a realistic environmental management plan and framework to address

environmental issues arising w.r.t. moderate-major impact activities during planning,
design, and construction and operation phase of these sub- projects.
To address safeguard issues andprovide adequate guidance and management framework
for subprojects triggering social and environmental issues.

Scope of work for Environment

Environment & Social Analysis for High Risk Sub-
Sub-Projects

It is proposed to hire suitable consulting firm for EIA and EMP of moderate to high risk
activities to be undertaken under the HPHDP. The EIA should be based on sub-project based
Detailed Project Report (DPR). Such DPR will identify and evaluate potential environmental
impacts for the proposed activities, evaluate alternatives and design mitigation measures. The

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consulting firm exclusively hired for the purpose will prepare EIA and EMP reports in
consultation with stakeholders and identify key issues and risks associated with
implementation of sub project level activities especially by PIU Horticulture, HPMC and State
Agriculture Marketing Board. The preparation of the EIA will be done in coordination with
domain experts of PCU and stakeholders.

The EIA/EMP should encompass- description of the study area, description of the
subproject, discussions with stakeholders and evaluation of alternatives suggested,
environment description, legal and regulatory framework of the Govt, identification of
potential impacts of proposed sub-projects, including cumulative impacts, development of
mitigation measures and a monitoring plan, including estimates of costs and responsibility for
implementation and monitoring. The Contents of EIA/EMP should comprise of the following:

1.. Executive Summary

Project Description.
Significant risks/ issues.
Stakeholder engagement.
Mitigation..
2.. Introduction
Project overview & Justification.
Environment & Social Impact Assessment Process.

3.. Project Description

Project location & site map.
Description of Project activities with associated environmental and social issues.
Identification of stakeholders / beneficiaries.
Supply chain.

4.. Environment & Social Baseline

Current state of environment conditions in the project site area.
Potential future changes for seen as a result of the planned activities.
Impact Assessment
Significant environmental & Social Impacts.
Ranking of risks / impacts by significance.
Alternatives to the sub-project to avoid/ minimize high risk impacts.
Assessment of impacts beyond the project area of influence.
Review of applicable legislations.
5.. Stakeholder consultation.
Scoping.
Consultations on signification risks/impacts.
Mitigation consultations.
Grievance Redressal mechanism.

6.. Mitigation
Discussion of mitigation opportunities (High- low).
Indicators to monitor mitigation effectiveness.

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 Robust environment Management Plan for the construction and operational phases
of moderate-high risk project interventions.

7. Institutional arrangement, capacity building and technical assistance needed for successful
implementation of environment management plan.

8. Monitoring protocols for the implementation of environment management plan.

Competencies required for carrying out the present assignment:

1. The Firm should have at least 10 years of experience in conducting environment

impact assessment relevant to the present assignment, preparation of environment
management plan (EMP).

2. The consulting firm should have undertaken EIA studies and developed environment
management plans of at least two projects similar to the proposed assignment as
mentioned in the Scope of work preferably in Government Sector during the last seven
years.

3. Firms responding to the EOI are expected to demonstrate experience of undertaking

similar assignments in the past.
4. Preference will be given to the firms who have experience in conducting EIA relevant
to present assignment and preparing EMP for least two similar assignments funded by
multilateral funding agencies in India particularly in sub-tropical to temperate regions.

TEAM REQUIREMENT (suggestive)

The Consultant Firm will be responsible to provide a professional team of consultants with relevant
education qualification, skills and requisite experience. Competencies of domain experts are
summarized as under:
Competencies required for carrying out the Assignment:
Assignment:
S.N Post Qualification & Experience Responsibility
/Designation
1 Environmental B.Sc. Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry or Support design team in
Specialist equivalent with Masters Degree in Environmental assessing potential
Sciences or B. Tech in Environmental Sciences or environmental risks
equivalent from a recognized university. associated with the
proposed activity.
Certified training on EIA (Environmental Impact
Develop methodologies for
Assessment).
environmental planning,
implementing and
Familiarity with environmental (and related)
monitoring of moderate to
policies and Acts related to the project and previous
high risk sub-projects.
experience of working in externally aided projects
Develop sub-project
in hilly areas.
based environment base
10 years of professional experience in the line, analyze and
conducting EIA studies and preparation of EMP conceptualize
relevant to present assignment. environmental risks.
Develop environment
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 impact assessment
report and prepare a
Participatory
Environment
Management Plan.
Develop mechanism for
institutional arrangements,
including training, capacity
building and technical
assistance needed to
successful implementation
of EMP.
Submit sub-project based
monthly report to
PIU/PCU.
2 Social Specialist M.A. (Sociology/Social Work/Rural Development or Develop sub-project
equivalent from a recognized university. based socio-
Certified training on Gender Issues economicbase line,
analyze and
Familiarity with gender issues/ policies and Acts
conceptualize Social
related to the project and previous experience of
working in externally aided projects in hilly areas. risks.
Devise mechanism for the
10 years of professional experience in social impact effective monitoring of
screening, implementation of social engagement Social Management Frame
strategies and addressing social issues relevant to Work before and during
present assignment. the implementation of the
project activities.

To ensure implementation
of Citizen engagement
Strategy that includes
actions related to
participatory planning and
implementation for
common service centres,
use of ICT in beneficiary
feedback, information
dissemination, technical
advice, monitoring
beneficiary satisfaction and
grievance redressal.

To ensure social impact

screening for post harvest
infrastructure and
Common service Centres.

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It will be desirable to have people with good communication skills and knowledge of local language
and experience of working in project(s) assisted by any international/national organization and/or
any an International/National NGO institution and / or experience of working in private/public sector.

Deliverables:
Sr. Task Time line
No
1. To prepare the inception report on moderate to substantial 2 Months
environmental impacts associated with implementation of
sub project activities.
2. To undertake sub-project based socio-environment base line 6 months
survey through exhaustive consultationn process involving
all stakeholders and key players.
3. To prepare participatory &project specific EIA and EMP for 1st Year of assignment
moderate to high environmental risk activities with adequate
mitigation measures and assist the design team to integrate
the environmental management plan in the sub-project
based DPR and tendering process.
4. To assist the PIU/PCU and design team for environmental 1st to 3rd year of
planning,implementation and monitoring of moderate to high assignment
risk sub-projects being financed under the Project.
5. Develop mechanism for monitoring of EMP in construction 1 month
and operational phase of sub-project in accordance with the
environment management frame work.
6. Training needs assessment of the sub-project level agencies 1st to 3rd year of
and preparation of training module and imparttraining on assignment
environmental mitigation.
7. Submit monthly report to PIU/PCU w.r.t. construction phase 1st to 3rd year of
and compliance of environment management plan. assignment

PROPOSED IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

Firm is required to work in close association with Project Coordination Unit (PCU), PIUs, ABPF, FPOs
and experts design team and the assignment requires extensive field visits. The Head Quarters of the
firm will be located in Shimla.

REPORTING AND PERFORMANCE REVIEW

1. The Firm will report to the Project Director of HPHDP. The work and performance of
the consultants shall be reviewed by the project director on a periodic basis.

2. Monthly meeting at the Project Coordination Units (PIUs) would be organized under
the Chairmanship of Project Director in which Consultancy Firm shall have to make
presentation of the progress made as well as the constraints in undertaking the
assignment. In such meetings strategy would be formulated to address the constraints
and the Consultancy firms would have to work as per strategy to tackle the constraints.

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Dispute Redr
Redressal: Dispute if any arising out of the disagreements between the parties shall
be first addressed at the level of the Project Director, HPHDP and in case any party remaining
unsatisfied with the decision, the same shall be referred to arbitrator to be appointed by the
Government of Himachal Pradesh with jurisdiction in Shimla.

Conflict of Interest
The Consultantis required providing professional, objective, and impartial advice, at all
times holding the Clients interests paramount, strictly avoiding conflicts with other
assignments or its own corporate interests, and acting without any consideration for future
work. The Consultant has an obligation to disclose to the Client any situation of actual or
potential conflict that impacts its capacity to serve the best interest of its Client. Failure to
disclose such situations may lead to the disqualification of the Consultant or the termination of
its Contract and/or sanctions by the Bank. Without limitation on the generality of the
foregoing, the Consultant shall not be hired under the circumstances set forth below:

a. Conflicting activities (i) Conflict between consulting activities and procurement of

goods, works or non-consulting services: a firm that has been engaged by the Client to provide
goods, works, or non-consulting services for a project, or any of its affiliates, shall be
disqualified from providing consulting services resulting from or directly related to those
goods, works, or non-consulting services. Conversely, a firm hired to provide consulting
services for the preparation or implementation of a project, or any of its Affiliates, shall be
disqualified from subsequently providing goods or works or non-consulting services resulting
from or directly related to the consulting services for such preparation or implementation.

b. Conflicting assignments (ii) Conflict among consulting assignments: a Consultant

(including its Experts and Sub-consultants) or any of its Affiliates shall not be hired for any
assignment that, by its nature, may be in conflict with another assignment of the Consultant for
the same or for another Client.

c. Conflicting relationships (iii) Relationship with the Clients staff: a Consultant (including
its Experts and Sub-consultants) that has a close business or family relationship with a
professional staff of the Borrower (or of the Client, or of implementing agency, or of a
recipient of a part of the Banks financing)who are directly or indirectly involved in any part of
(i) the preparation of the Terms of Reference for the assignment, (ii) the selection process for
the Contract, or (iii) the supervision of the Contract, may not be awarded a Contract, unless the
conflict stemming from this relationship has been resolved in a manner acceptable to the Bank
throughout the selection process and the execution of the Contract.

TIME FRAME
As per the Project Implementation Plan, total period of assignment is three years (PY 3rdto PY
5th year).

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