PROJECT DESCRIPTION

LOCATION across river Giri about 1.5 km upstream of

Dadahu bridge on Dadahu-Sangra motor road in

district Sirmaur of Himachal Pradesh.

longitude 770-03’12” to 77039’10” E

latitude 30036’51” to 31015’23” N

Characterstics of dam 148m high rockfill dam with centrally inclined

impervious clay core dam at

an elevation of 778 m, full reservoir level at

elevation 766 m, 63 m wide chute

spillway on the left bank with crest level

elevation 755 m &discharge7067 cumecs

Total land requirement 1532.60ha out of whichforest land 955.82 ha private land576.78 ha

submerge land 1197.60 ha

Catchment area above dam site 2175 sq km

storage capacity 49800ha m

Power house capacity 2 X 20MW

Total cost of the project 3896.83 crores

RENUKA DAM PROJECT .

NEED OF THE PROJECT

supply of drinking water to National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi 1000 million litres everyday•powerhouse with installed capacity 2 x 20 MW in a 90% dependable year shall generate 296.80 GWH for H.P.

PERTINENT INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATIONName Scope and Objective

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, 1988

To provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and enhancing the quality of water

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, 1987

To provide for the prevention and control of air pollution

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, 1988

To consolidate acquisition of common property such as forests, halt India’s rapid deforestation and resulting environmental degradation

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, 1993 To protect wildlife

Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 To provide for the protection and improvement of environment

National Policy on R & R, 2003 Resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected people

EIA Notification 14th September 2006

Environmental Impact Assessment

•Though the project falls under category ‘B’ but has been classified

in category ‘A’ because the project lies within 10 KM from boundary

of Renukaji Wild Life Sanctuary ( notified under the Wildlife

(Protection) Act, 1972 ).

•A comprehensive EIA is required.

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

The study comprises of the five following stages: A. Determination of baseline conditions with respect to each of the Land Use,

Soil, Geology, Hydrology, Meteorology, Water Quality, Air and Noise Quality, Terrestrial Ecology, Aquatic Ecology and Public Health, Demography and Socio-Economics.

B. Identification of the different components of the project that would have an effect on one or several aspects of the environment

C. Estimation of the quantum and character of the polluting discharges of such components

D. Assessment of the impacts of such polluting discharges on the different aspects of the environment and

E. Formulation and recommendation of mitigation measures necessary to control the adverse environmental impacts to acceptable levels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT & BASELINE STUDIES

The area falling within 10 km radius of the proposed Renukaji dam project has been assessed and evaluated for the all existing environmental conditions.

CLIMATE•The climate is sub-tropical interspersed between cold weather, hot weather and southwest monsoon •Winds are generally moderate throughout the season and lie in the range of 1-19 km / hr .• The relative humidity of the area varies from 33 to 90%.

Windrose Diagram for Monsoon Season

Windrose Diagram for Post-Monsoon Season

SEISMICITYthe area of Renuka dam project falls within Zone IV. Therefore, suitable seismic factor in design of structure would be kept under consideration.SOIL CHARACTERSTICS•slightly acidic in nature having pH values from 6.35 to 6.90.•soil texture varies from coarse sandy loam to clay loam having predominantly Sand.•The soil near river terrace isgood for paddy cultivation.•SLOPE•The area has moderate slope(32%) and steep slope(38%) in majority.LAND USEthe catchment area is characterized by steep hills and deep valleys, the dominating classes are dense forest, open forest, waste land, agriculture & settlement patches and some degraded forest.ARCHAEOLOGICAL / RELEGIOUS / HISTORICAL MONUMENTSNo archaeological monument of national importance either lies in the project area or in its submergence area.

StationCode

Station Name

Location with respect to SiteDistance (Km) Direction

Description

S-1 Renuka 2.5 SE Agriculture land

S-2 Dhanoi 1.0 NE Forest land

S-3 Khalna 4.0 SW Forest land

S-4 Dabhuri 5.0 SW Agriculture land

S-5 Trimali 4.0 SE Agriculture land

S-6 Dhar 5.0 SE Agriculture land

Soil sampling sites

Soil Sampling Stations

Air Quality Assessment

•The number of sampling at each station was for two consecutive days. Thebaseline data of ambient air environment is generated for the mentionedparameters as given below:1. Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM)2. Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM)3. Sulphur dioxide (SO2)4 Nitrogen oxides (NOx)•The major sources of air pollutants in the project area are vehicular traffic,blasting (during road construction at present), dust arising from local and village road, forest fire and domestic fuel burning.

•“Respirable Dust Sampler Envirotech Model APM 460 BL” was used for air

monitoring.OBSERVATIONS•Ambient Air Quality Status with respect to RSPM ,SPM ,SO2 NOX were within theNational Ambient Air Quality Standards for 24 hrs monitoring.• However,the air quality will be affected during construction period.• The concentration obnoxious gases and dust emission, will be cleared on daily basis as the area is located in a valley and the gush of strong winds during morning and evening hours is a common phenomenon.

Sound Level Measurement•The sound level was measured by using sound level meter (RS 232 digitalInstrument) at 6 different locations. •Maximum and minimum level of sound was recorded for the particular site and then average was calculated which gave the final readings.•The noise levels in the study area were well within the permissible standards.Water Quality•Over a stretch of 35 km length on river Giri and its tributaries nine sites wereselected for water sampling.•The sampling was carried out for about a year time keeping the frequency of observation once in 30 days timeOBSERVATIONSThe water quality results shows that all the parameters are within the permissible limit of Drinking Water Standards (IS: 10500), except the bacteriological parameters. The discharge in the river is more in monsoon season and the water quality is also better as compare to post monsoon season.

Parameters InstrumentationAmbient temperature Digital thermometerTransparency Seehi dise methodWater velocity EMCON digital current meterTurbidity NephelometerTotal Dissolved Solids Titration methodpH Digital pH meter (HANNA)Alkalinity, Acidity, Chlorides,Silicates, DO, Free CO2, Zn, Si, Fe,Nutrients (Phosphorus, Sulphates) Aquamerck / Aquaquant kitsTotal Ca and Mg Hardness – EDTA Titrametric methodsInorganic phosphates Colorimetric MethodsBOD TitrationE-Coli and Total Coliform Macconkey broth

AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTData on existing aquatic environmental conditions includes• Biological characteristics of river water• Estimation of coliform organisms• Present status of fish fauna: Identification of fish species• Their migratory pattern, feeding and breeding groundsOBSERVATIONSthe proposed dam will have major impact on the endemic fishes,which play a major role in maintaining the aquatic ecosystem and contribute tothe livelihood opportunities for the local inhabitants.BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENTFloral Study•The study area in the Giri river Valley was divided into submergence and influence zones.•The plant species were identified with the help of Botany Division, FRI,Dehradun & local inhabitants. Floral studies were carried out 1. To make an inventory/checklist of plants found in the study area.2. To analyze the existing vegetation under submergence and influence zones of the project.3. To know the density (trees/unit area) of each of the woody species undersubmergence and influence zones of the project.

Faunal StudyTerrestrial fauna The terrestrial fauna of important animal groups such as butterflies (insects),birds, mammals and reptiles was evaluated during a week long post monsoonsurvey (Ocotber’2007) in 5 km radius of the impact zone. Terrestrial fauna was evaluated1. To prepare an inventory of the terrestrial fauna present in the study area.2. To assess present status of the terrestrial fauna present in the study area3. To assess the impacts of the proposed dam on the terrestrial fauna. OBSERVATIONSRenuka Sanctuary and Kashoga Reserve forest support high species richness and diversity of birds. Thus, these sites are most crucial for the conserving the bird diversity of the area and should be protected during the course of dam construction and thereafter.Aquatic Fauna•Evaluation of Phytobenthos and Plankton•Evaluation of Benthic Macro-Invertebrates •Evaluation of Fish Fauna•OBSERVATIONS•decline of migratory species. The dam prevents migration betweenfeeding and breeding zones.•Loss of habitat•Change in Water temperature and water quality changes and discharge fluctuations

Site ISite II

Site III

Site IV

Map showing the terrestrial fauna study sites in the Impact zone of dam

SOCIOECONOMIC STUDYThe data were collected in two stages-• The first stage involved a rapid assessment of the study area in order to obtain an overall perspective of the villages of District Sirmaur that were located in the submergence zone. •The second stage of data collection was done in the villages, which are going to be directly affected by acquisition of landSecondary information was collected from different government and nongovernment offices. In order to gather information on public perception of the proposed project the attitude survey was carried, which depicts the prevailing awareness and acceptance about the project

OBSERVATIONS•Agriculture was the main occupation of the project affected peopleAttitude of affected families of Renuka Dam Project

Questions Yes (%) No (%)

Do you know about the Project to be constructed inthe area?

100.00 00.00

Are you in favour of Project? 4.38 95.62

S. No. Reasons to be in against Views of PAP (%)

1 Loss of Fertile Agriculture Land

95.62

2 Deprived of fuel and fodder

91.34

3 Losing their ancestral place

67.13

4 No problem 4.38

Views of PAP (%) of Renuka Dam Project

S.No. Reason for supporting Renuka DamProject

Views of PAP (%)

1 Underdevelopment 91.04 91.04

2 Employment opportunities 18.32

18.32

3 Others 7.64 7.64

IDENTIFICATION, PREDICTION AND EVALUATION OF IMPACTS

IMPACTS ON LAND ENVIRONMENT• Change in land-use due to submergence and construction of the project.• Alteration of terrain due to construction of approach and access roads.•Localized increase in erosion due to excavation of tunnel, powerhouse and other appurtenant components.• Generation of solid waste due to construction and deployment of constructionworkforce.Impacts on the Microclimate of the Area

• Localized fall off temperature in and around reservoir.• Localized increase in humidity and evapo-transpiration.• Localized decrease in aridity around reservoir.

Change in Land use / Land cover Construction Phase•The change in land use will be from riverine environment to lacustrineenvironment and the change in land cover will also be from agriculture/forest land cover to reservoir area.(permanent change)•The unutilized muck may bring change in landscape of the dumping yard.Operational Phaseno significant change on land use is expected.

Mitigation measuresthe land cover will improve, due to implementation of landscape restoration and catchment area treatment works.Soil Erosion and SiltationConstruction Phase• Soil erosion due to excavation for different components of the project,construction of roads and dumping of muck into disposal yards will acceleratesoil erosion during the construction period.Operational PhaseNo significant impactMitigation measureslandscape restoration work& reservoir rim treatment would be implemented that will restore erosion.

IMPACTS ON AIR AND NOISE ENVIRONMENTConstruction Phase• Temporary changes in air quality and noise levels during construction phase are expectedOperation Phase• The ambient air quality during the operation phase is not expected todeteriorate.• Noise level in power house is also not expected to increase as the powerhouseis underground.Mitigation measuresDuring construction phase, monitoring of parameters required to be carried outIMPACTS ON WATER ENVIRONMENT•water quality downstream of dam shall improve.Construction Phase•The sewage generated at the labour camps and other residential areas mayalso bring considerable pollutants to river sections•The muck disposal yards, quarry areas would be the areas of concerns forleaching of sediments during rains.Operation Phasethe water environment in general will not deteriorate as the reservoir of the project will be continuously operated or used for power generation.

IMPACTS ON FLORA AND FAUNA OF PROJECT AREAImpact on Flora (Plant Biodiversity) 1. Degradation/destruction of Northern Tropical Dry deciduous Forests2. Impacts in the submergible area-there will be a sudden shift in the

population density of the species, which certainly will have some impact on the ecology of the region.

3. Loss of threatened/ economically important species4. Invasion of the habitat by exotic and Invasive speciesImpacts on Fauna1. more loss to aquatic environment than the terrestrial one.2. Terrestrial wildlife change in their route in search of their food etc.aquatic communities present in the submergence areas are going to vanish.

Mitigation measures• The area downward from dam site, the backwater formed from itstributaries is going to support the present aquatic fauna to some extent.•Provision of fish ladderIMPACTS ON THE SOCIOECONOMICS1. About 1281 ha land of 32 villages will either be submerged or acquired forproject construction. Out of the 32 villages, the people from 24 villages willlose their individual land. 2. Most of PAFs are going to be displaced so they should be placed in thearea nearer to their existing location with development of proper facilities, training and financial assistance to earn their living.