Environmental Aspects
Environmental considerations have been an integral element of the decision-making process of the MWSIP from the project planning phase right through to the operational stage, to ensure sustainability of the development delivered through the Program. The three Project components under MWSIP are associated with environmentally sensitive areas, and are hence identified as “Prescribed Projects” requiring Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) under the provisions of the National Environmental Act. Adhering to National Environmental Laws and Regulations, as well as complying with ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) ensures that possible project alternatives and mitigatory measures have been considered with the aim of minimizing the environmental impacts. These impacts are assessed by a team of experienced professionals at each stage of the project preparatory work and during the implementation period.
Thus the three construction Projects under the MWSIP are featured with environmentally friendly designs as well as construction methodologies and procedures with additional “environmental protection” ensured by producing an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), which is a plan for mitigating all anticipated impacts during the project construction and operational stages. Specific mitigation measures with details of location, time and the agency responsible for implementation are given in the EMP. A large proportion of potential adverse impacts are confined to the construction phases and they can be minimized and mitigated with appropriate and timely interventions, and with adequate supervision and monitoring by the Project proponent and other stakeholders.
Safeguard Unit/Cell
The Safeguard Unit/Cell consists of experienced national and international environmental and social - resettlement specialists attached to the PMU, PIUs and PMDSC.
EIA, IEE & EMPs
The unavoidable remaining potential environmental impacts at the early design stage of three construction Projects have been thoroughly evaluated through undertaking two separate Environment Impact Assessments (EIAs) for the NWPC and UECP and an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) for the MLBCR, as well as preparing three separate EMPs. Conditional approvals have been granted by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) in consultation with a Technical Committee, which comprises key Government Authorities and national-level subject specialists.
Impacts on physical resources, human settlements and land use, biodiversity and natural resources, community health and safety, and occupational safety and archaeological/historical resources (have been identified as the key elements during the EIA/IEE studies) as well as potential impacts on the wild life and forest resources caused by the proposed project interventions. A Project Safeguard Unit is fully engaged in fulfilling those conditions prior to starting construction activities.
Further design changes and alternatives have been considered by both national and international consultants to avoid or minimize significant impacts, and the EIA/IEE reports are updated accordingly, with necessary amendments - including to the EMPs - based on these modifications so as to guide the contractors to comply with updated EMP requirements as per national environmental regulations.
The updated EMPs and the amendments are reassessed by the CEA and ADB, and an Environmental Monitoring Committee (EMC) is formed by the CEA or each project, which acts as the regulatory body to ensure the EMP’s implementation.
Implementation of the EMPs will be monitored internally by the PMDSC - PMU and PIUs, and safeguard monitoring will be reported periodically by the PMU to the CEA and ADB.
Key Environmental Tasks
The key environmental tasks to be carried out under the MWSIP are:
01) Updating the EIAs and IEE and corresponding EMPs based on the final detailed designs.
02) Preparing a Strategic Environmental Analysis (SEA)
03) Training and building capacity on environmental management, supervision, reporting and monitoring of the implementation of EMPs.
04) Orienting contractors on implementing the EMPs.
05) Operating the “Grievance Redress Mechanism” to address environmental and other complaints.
06) Operate a rigorous environmental monitoring regime to ensure EMP implementation & ensure due mitigation of any unforeseen impacts during the implementation of the Projects.
07) Preparation of a “Wildlife Management Plan” for NWPC & UECP through an agency with appropriate expertise to mitigate effects on wild life and find a viable solution on the human-elephant conflict (HEC) and implementation.
