NEA to also disclose summary minutes of the consultation meetings including an indication of how feedback was taken into account. Transmission line project (TBD) ESIA, and social planning studies NEA to disclose drafts and final documents in full (English versions) as well as Executive Summary (in Nepali) on website and in hard copy at culturally appropriate public locations accessible to affected communities. WB to disclose on Infoshop Draft reports: at minimum 2 weeks prior to holding consultations on the drafts reports: TBD. NEA to broadly consult draft ESIA and Social planning studies with international, national and local stakeholders and finalize studies in light of feedback received. Social planning studies to be developed through consultative process with target populations for each. Consultations with tribal peoples must constitute Free, Prior and Informed Consultation. B Basin plans for 3 pilot basins Draft and final plans to be disclosed on WECS digital platform (to be established through project) and linked to project website. TBD. Integrated planning process to be carried out in a highly participatory manner, involving stakeholders throughout. C SESA for Integrated Basin Planning WECS to disclose and final versions on WECS digital platform (to be established through project) and linked to project website. Hard copies to be made available to interested stakeholders. TBD. Initial estimate: draft in spring 2015; final in summer 2015. SESA to be carried out in a highly participatory manner, involving stakeholders throughout. At least one formal consultation will be held with stakeholders on the draft SESA. C Studies on key policy areas on environmental and social management and final studies will be disclosed by NEA and WECS on project website. TBD Stakeholder mapping will be done to identify relevant stakeholders to involve in the study process for each.
–the federal government/the local state government large catchment lies in China, consumptive/ diversion of water may affect UPHEP (riparian rights both U/S & D/S)? is no consumptive use of water at the UA catchment (within China). (INHURED) will be multiple activities and mobility of people/ migration (inbound and outbound). There is possibility of increased security risks/ crimes and impacts on local and indigenous people. A component is needed to manage this aspect. Suggestion taken. Agreed. (ISET are reviewing EIA for several projects. Two observations: (i) EIA documents are not accessible – please make project documents visible and easily accessible; (ii) waste management Act and Local Self Governance acts need to be reviewed in the ESIA.Community upliftment plan is also needed. web site already launched: http://www.nea.org.np/publications.html related acts & regulation be reviewed. development plan, which is to enhance benefits to all local communities, will be prepared in line with relevant WB Safeguard Policies. The final product will be disseminated in the NEA websites. Suggestion taken & Agreed. (ICIMOD) of strategic environment impact assessment before conducting ESIA & CIA. has done a detailed modeling of the hydrology of the project area, including impacts of GLOF, and impacts of any development in the region on flow regime. We would like to share our findings and is included as part of the Project. sharing of data by ICIMOD. Mr. Jie Tang also added that WB is supporting NEA for two activities of this project - preparation and design of bidding documents process, which will provide inputs into detailed engineering design.
reason for slow/no progress is NEA does none of the work itself. Why does NEA hire consultants to do the detailed engineering design for which initial feasibility study was conducted two decades ago? For microhydro, a single entity conducts design, construction, implementation etc. engineering and ESIA for Upper Arun need to be updated in the current regional nd country context, and need to be mover to the level of details ready for project implementation. Consultants will need to be hired to assist NEA in this work as stated above. (Mini & Micro Hydropower Association) the Nepali context, ESIA is more of a formality; it is not actually implemented. We need to focus on relevance and implementability rather than number of plans. Also, there should be coordination between plans: In the case of Bhotekoshi – plastics come in from Khasa and are collected/incinerated near the powerhouse – this is against Nepal’s waste management policy the Nepali context again, resettlement is done, but not in an organized, equitable manner. must ask to come up with a practical, equitable proposal on resettlement Under this project the ESIA and associated Action Plans will be part of the Hydropower and transmission line Projects to be implemented. proposed Project is designed for how resettlement process and benefit sharing could be improved. This project will require minimal resettlement, but the RAP is expected to be detailed, following international guidelines and implementable in a locally practicable manner. Stakeholder category #4 (Tourism Sector & Experts) Stakeholder comment NEA response Remarks / Additional actions / agreed follow-up (NESS) road appears to be on slope at the edge of the Makalu Barun National Park. The area is the road and the Upper Arun project will be built is part of the work to be reviewed by both consulting firms: one for engineering aspects and one Agreed to spoil destination.