Initial Environmental Examination of Rehabilitation/Upgrading Works in Silgadhi-Sanfegagar Road, Rehabilitation works in Tribhuvan Rajpath (Simbhanjyang Sector), Upgrading works in Gorusinghe-Sandhikharka Road and Harthok (Tansen)-Tamghas Road

Project Description

IEE of Rehabilitation/Upgrading Works in Silgadhi-Sanfebagar Road: The road is located in the mountainous region of Far-Western Development Region of Nepal and starts at Silgadhi, the administrative headquarters of Doti district and ends at Sanfebagar, a small settlement of Achham. The total length of the road is 67 km and the start point is connected to the Seti Raj Marg (Syaule-Silgaddhi, H15). The proposed road is Feeder Road constructed as gravel surface standard with all necessary drainage structures and was completed in 1997.

IEE of Rehabilitation Works in Tribhuwan Rajpath, Sim Bhanjyang Sector (18.70 km): Tribhuwan Rajpath is a National Highway, which is an important part of strategic road network connecting the capital city Kathmandu located at north to southern part of Nepal i.e. the Terai, in the kingdom of Nepal. The road passes through Bagmati and Narayani zone. The alignment of the proposed road to be rehabilitate starts from Simbhanjyang, km 54+600 (highest point of TRP 2488 m), descending south to Hetauda. The total length of the section is 18.7 km. The alignment passes through different landform ranging from moderate to steep slopes passing through three settlements viz Jhirgari, Aghor at km 63+550 and Mahabharat settlements fall in Namtar VDC whereas Simbhanjyang bazaar falls in Daman VDC.

IEE of Upgrading Works in Harthok (Tansen) – Tamghas Road: Tansen-Harthok-Tamghas road section 75 Km, is a Feeder road. This road starts Tansen, district headquarters of Palpa district and ends at Tamghas, district headquarters of Gulmi in western part of Nepal. The proposed project road, which is constructed as gravel surface lies in Palpa and Gulmi District. It is located in the Western development region of Nepal.

IEE of Upgrading Works in Gorusinge-Sandhikharka Road: Gorusinghe-Sandhikharka road section, 68.2 Km, is a Feeder road, The Gravel road starts at Mahendra Raj Marg at Gorusinghe in Kapilvastu district and ends at Sandhikharka, district headquarters of Arghakhanchi district in western part of Nepal. The proposed project Gorusinghe-Sandhikharka Road is located in the western development region of Nepal and lies in Kapilvastu and Arghakhanchi District. The alignment passes through Mahendrakot village Development Committee of Kapilvastu district and Thada, Sitaapur Narapai, Khanchikot, Adguri and Sandhikharka VDC of Arghakhanchi, district in Lumbini zone.

Assignment Description

Verify and predict the impact of upgrading graveled to bituminous surface on physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural I, aspect of the environment. • Examine the environmental implication of all the project activities • Assess alternative project designs and provide input into project design • Recommend preventive, curative and compensatory measures to minimize adverse environmental impacts and maximize positive and beneficial impacts • Prepare Environmental Management Action Plan • Prepare programmes for monitoring and evaluation • Recommendation to develop and strengthen environmental capacity in highway design and maintenance • Recommend whether the proposed road requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment an IEE would be just sufficient to address the environmental issues that may result due to the proposed works on this road and its environment. • Find out the positive or negative impacts on various environmental resources due to natural phenomenon and road-induced human activities during and after construction road project • Identify and recommend measures for minimizing environmental impacts from proposed construction by employing principles of II avoidance, mitigation, and controls • Assist and predict the impact on environmental implications of related project activities.