Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Badkapath Irrigation Project

Project Description

Badkapath Irrigation Project (BpIP) is aimed to provide assured year round irrigation to 4000 Ha agricultural area lying in the left bank of Rapti river and also protect the command area from erosion by Rapti river. Construction of a side intake, 30 km long main canal, Discharge capacity: 9 cumec, conveyance, cross drainage and distribution structures and command area protection works are the main structural components. Besides, canal road crossings, structures required for environmental protection measures and other command area development works will also form part of the project. BpIP is expected to significantly contribute to agriculture development and consequently result in improvement of socio-economic condition of people of the area.

The main objective of this Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study is to assess and predict the impacts of project activities on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural resource; examine the significance of the environmental implication; recommend preventive and curative measures, including benefits augmentation measures and environmental management plan; and provide information for decision-makers abut the environmental implication of the proposed project and associated costs. Total Project Cost US$ 20 million approx.

Assignment Description

The services provided by the Consultant included, among others, the following: • Collection, examination, review and analysis of existing Reports, Maps, Data and Design Drawings • Evaluation and Identification of Existing socio-economic and environmental constraints and issues and finding development constraints and potentials • Complete walkthrough survey, assessing important and sensitive environmental issues to be considered in the EIA Study. • Preparation of EIA Scoping Document and Terms of Reference and received approval from Ministry of Environment • Field Survey and Investigation for collecting baseline data regarding physical, biological and socio-economic & cultural environment. • Detailed physical, biological (especially forest data) and socio-economic and cultural environmental data were collected including social assessment, acquisition and resettlement. • Household survey was carried out to document wide range of socio-economic and demographic data of the area. • Data were analyzed, positive and negative impacts identified and predicted, appropriate site-specific mitigation measures developed. • Alternative analysis on different alignments on the detailed assessment on the technical feasibility, economic and environmentally viability. • Prepared environment monitoring and management plan for implementation. • Draft EIA Report prepared and submitted to the Client • Conduction of Public Hearing for the dissemination of the Report and collection of comments on the Report • Received comments from Client and prepared Draft Final EIA Report and submitted to Ministry of Environment • Approval of Final EIA Report from Ministry of Environment