Implementation will follow the following closely linking with activity planning, design and implementation steps. Step 1: Preliminary Environmental Information and Analysis Step 2: Environmental and Social Screening and Assessment Step 3: Environmental and Social Recommendation and Preparation of Project DPR Step 4: Environmental Clearance and social clearances Step 5: Social Management Plan Step 5: Site-Environmental Management Plan Step 6: Compliance and Final Monitoring The program steps and environmental and social steps are linked as described in the table below. Table 5: Project/grant program steps and environmental and social processing steps Project/grant program step Environmental Step Social Step Remarks Pre-feasibility and/or feasibility study (after Dzongkhag/Park Management selects the concept for further consideration) Collection of preliminary environmental information together with sub project pre-feasibility or feasibility field investigation. (by DEC) Collect religious monuments and structure information (Park Managers) Obtain relevant NoCs. Preliminary analysis of project's environmental risks and identification of probable mitigation / recommendations. Community involvement while developing the project(s). Collection of household information, number of families and land holding (Park Managers) Land ownership certification (Dzongkhag Land Record) Identify households without ownership certificate issued by RGOB Pre-feasibility and/or Feasibility Report contains environmental section in which environmental situation of project site/ immediate surroundings, potential risks to the project, and probable mitigations will be described. Report contains NoCs also. Selection of sub project pre-feasibility or feasibility report for preparing Project Report or detailed project report (DPR) Review the environmental information provided in the pre-feasibility or feasibility report, and carry out Initial Environmental Screening. Prepare environmental checklist based on the preliminary information and make the decision on the need for a detailed Environmental Assessment Stakeholders includes Dzongkhag and RNR officials, communities and gewog official, meeting and consultative meeting to be conducted by Gup and Park Managers Review of land holdings, census, property, livestock information in consultation with the Gewog Administrative Officer, Gup, Tshogpa and National Park management unit. Prepare social checklist based on the preliminary information and make the Initial Environmental screening will check: i) if the project is eligible, ii) if the project is exempted by Bhutan environmental laws from further environmental investigation, and iii) who is the Competent Authority for reviewing and issuing environmental clearance. Checklists format will be prepared by BTFEC and filled out
At least 2,500 hectares of alpine meadows brought under sustainable grazing management practice and reduced impact on adjacent forests Pilot rangeland (alpine meadow) with herders Positive environmental impact to the nearby/adjacent forest due to less or in the forest land May induce use of fertilizer, pesticides by the local communities May increase use of exotic or fodder species Possible forest to adjacent forest when burning the shrubs for next season as local practices May induce land degradation as mono culture will be practiced In some cases there may be increased encroachment of forest land due to success of sustainable grazing practices May lead to unproductive forest coverage due to disturbance of natural ecosystem Destruction of natural habitat due to cutting of slow growing trees for more alpine meadow grasslands for grazing There is likely to be positive impact to the socio-economic benefit to the community due to increased productivity There is likely to be increase in community yak grazing and improve the feed system for better yield of dairy products Demarcate and designate proper area to develop grazing land Avoid introduction of exotic grass seeds meadow burning during dry and windy seasons Use of pesticides, fertilizers should be not be permitted as per protected area guidelines and rules and regulations Introduce and employ proper collection, storage, and dispersal methods for FYM so that there is negligible waste and increased production of FYM per cattle Planning and implementing stages Park Office and local community Gewog Livestock Extension Agent, Dzongkhag Livestock Officer, Livestock Health Division, BHU, Public Health Division (DoH)
Production of FYM may demand farmers to keep large numbers of cattle thereby contributing to overgrazing At least 2,500 hectares of vulnerable agricultural land under sustainable community land management practice and reduced impact on adjacent Adoption of sustainable of forests and agricultural in non-core wildlife habitats and engage local communities as conservation stewards Introduction of vegetables may sometimes involve introduction of exotic species therefore disturbances to natural local ecosystem Mono-cultural agricultural can degradation of land/soil fertility and less resistance to pest and diseases Use of pesticides, fertilizer and herbicides in the high altitudes have negative impact Induce the use of exotic and genetically modified agricultural seeds Improved sustainable land management practices through informed decisions that will improve protection of critical and forest resources Reduced impacts to the adjacent forest Erosion of local communities value, customs and practices due introduction of new and possibly permanent agricultural practices as the local communities have always been nomadic culture Improved and diversified agricultural and forest products Exclude from the project any pesticides that are classified as class I,IIa, and IIb by WHO Develop Pest Management Plans to manage the use of pesticides within ecologically acceptable levels, as well as within health and safety standards Apply chemical pesticides at low limits and encourage farmers at lower altitude to use bio-digester as developed and tested by National Organic Programme - Encourage the farmers to use the seeds provided by druk seed corporation and agriculture extension agents Promote worm composting or vermiculture with specific skill development through farmers training Promote regeneration of degenerated forest lands outside of protected areas Planning and operation Local community, Gewog Park Office Gewog Agriculture Extension Agent, Dzongkhag Agriculture Officer, NPPC, RDC, Druk Seed Corporation
At least 100,000 hectares of forest lands under sustainable management (reduced pressures) and providing supplementary income from ecotourism and use of NTFPs Provide supplementary income from community-based ecotourism and use of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) with value addition Indiscriminate unsustainable harvesting of cordyceps and other medicinal species, degradation of fragile alpine ecosystem, and destruction of alpine slow growing alpine vegetation for fuelwood Increased visitation beyond the carrying capacity of the PA and putting pressure on animal habits and behaviors Improper siting can lead to land degradation and loss of wildlife habitats and deterioration of scenery Development of tourism facilities such as accommodation, water supplies, restaurants and recreation facilities can involve sand mining, soil erosion and extensive paving Habitat degradation with air and pollution due to vehicles, solid waste and littering, trampling, tourism leisure activities, etc. Increased income Disruption of community relationship within different gewogs as a result of unclear gewog boundaries Out migration of people from community due to increased income Improved incomes to communities Physical impacts caused by tourism-related land clearing and construction, continuing tourist activities and long-term changes in local economies and ecologies Development of sustainable harvesting management plan based on scientific information, development and implementation of field friendly policy and regulation, enforcing people to use alternative energy sources such as solar and kerosene by cordyceps collectors Immediate boundary demarcation carried out and accordingly informing the gewog administration and local community - Improve and develop basic amenities in the villages to retain local rural communities Operation stage Local community, Gewog Park Office Gewog Forestry Extension Agent, Research Development Centers (RDCs), Dzongkhag Forestry Officer, Social Forestry Division, Territorial Forestry Division, Policy and Planning Division (MoAF), Land Commission Secretariat, Dzongkhag Land Record Officer, Dzongkhag Yargay Tsogdu (DYT)
Excessive harvesting of medicinal plants and other NTFPs leading to extinction Loss of future income from extinction due to overharvesting Conduct detail ecological study on the distribution and its availability, parts used and their status in IUCN red list, based on scientifically written management plan Planning and operation stage Local Community and Park Office Gewog Forestry Extension Agent, Research Development Centers (RDCs), Dzongkhag Forestry Officer, Social Forestry Division, Territorial Forestry Division, Indigenous Traditional Medicinal Services Destruction of vegetation through cutting of slow growing trees for firewood from promotion ecotourism activity Erosion of delicate vegetation through use of yaks and horses for transportation Erosion of Bhutanese culture and value systems in the rural areas Conflict of community over grazing land Strict adherence to the regulation passed by TAB for the use of firewood by trekkers and increasing use of LPG or kerosene by tour operators Encouraging and supporting the farmers residing along the trekking route to develop home stay facilities with minimum tourist guesthouse standards Planning and operation Local community, Gewog Park Office Tourism council of Bhutan, Dzongkhag Engineering Division, Nature, Recreation and Ecotourism Division (DoFPS), Department of Forest and Park Services Indiscriminate disposal of non-biodegradable waste along the tourist trails Erosion of Bhutanese culture and systems in the rural areas Increased auditing of waste at the entry and exit trekking point by park officials and promotion of livestock and vegetable products by farmers and organizing increased frequency of cleaning campaign by TCB Increased awareness education to the rural community on the importance of preserving native culture for future sustainability Planning and operation stage community, Gewog Park Office, Tourism Authority of Bhutan NRED (DoFPS), NEC, Department of Culture (MoHCA) Tourism Council of Bhutan
of tourism in the areas and development and implementation of stringent code of ethics to be followed by the visiting tourists /guests Improved management system Degeneration of forests as a result of harvesting of billets for mushroom spawning - Promote mushroom varieties that do not need billets for spawning Plan and employ appropriate silvicultural techniques, e.g coppicing for harvesting billets - Develop marketing strategy to improve the market access Planning and operation stage Gewog Local Community and Park Office Forestry Extension Agent, Research Development Centers (RDCs), Dzongkhag Forestry Officer, Social Forestry Division, Territorial Forestry Division, National Mushroom Centre Component 3: Mainstreamed conservation and sustainable forest and natural resources management approaches (developed under component 2) into national policies, strategies and plans and replication of such approaches elsewhere in Bhutan Procedures and guidelines for establishing sustainable resources management development and documented for at least 5 natural types (e.g. grazing, forestry, protected areas, water Development of guidelines for establishing sustainable resources management Better management of natural resources Inadequste community consultation in the development of guidelines that reduces ownership, impacts to the soci-economic of people The social issues should be consulted Extensive issue should be covered which involves, land holdings, socio-economic Inventories and qualitative traditional knowledge should be recorded to avoid any social conflict Loss of property and income generation Procedures and guidelines should on climate change issues, socio-economic of the local communities living within the parks Initial stage till the end of the program Department of forest, Wildlife Conservation Division, Park Management Units, Gewogs and Dzongkhag National Environment Commission Secretariat, Research Development Centers (RDCs), Dzongkhag Forestry Officer, Social Forestry Division, Territorial Forestry Division BTFEC, donor agencies
and land management) Inventories of 5 natural types of landscapes such as grazing area, type of forestry, water and land management should be made to avoid future interventions Capacity building of the local communities through training Substitute lost or cash compensation as per the Land Act of Bhutan 2007. Resettlement allowance in cash equivalent to the difference between compensation as per the Land Act of Bhutan 2007. and full replacement value as per current values in the same vicinity, plus value of all land transaction fees and charges. - Allotment of replacement land for families who become landless after acquisition as per provisions of the Land Act of Bhutan 2007 Biodiversity and sustainable natural resource management consideration incorporation into revision of at least 5 existing NRM sector policies, strategies and Improvements to NRM sector policies, strategies and Better management of natural resources Capacity building of the local communities through training Capacity building of the local park management and implementers Initial stage till the end of the program and annually Department of forest, Wildlife Conservation Division, Park Management Units, Gewogs and Dzongkhag National Environment Commission Secretariat, Research Development Centers (RDCs), Dzongkhag Forestry Officer, Social Forestry Division, Territorial Forestry Division BTFEC, donor agencies representative
Impact Potential Significance Location Mitigation Measures Frequency of Interventions Implementing Responsibility Monitoring Responsibility Poor design impacting structural integrity and safety of infrastructure such as physical trauma associated with failure of structures, fires, injuries due to falls or contact of machinery, respiratory distress from dust, fumes and noxious odours and exposure to hazardous materials High Project site Incorporate as appropriate the following during planning, siting and design phases: Inclusion of buffer strips or physical separations around project Incorporation of siting and safety engineering criteria to prevent failures due natural and/or risks (such as wind, flooding, landslides, fires, etc. Application of locally regulated building codes to ensure structural integrity Certification of designing and constructing infrastructure, the applicability and appropriateness of structural criteria During design stage Design engineer Improper disposal of debris during site clearing blocking drains and waterways and contaminating water High Construction area and disposal sites Regular removal of debris generated to an approved disposal site If demolished material contains hazardous disposal should be carried out as per the guidelines provided the RGOB All structures demolished should be removed, and debris recycled or disposed of in authorized by the appropriate authority At least once a week; all debris generated as part of site clearing including demolition of buildings should be done before construction activities commence Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of local stakeholders Improper storing and lengthy stockpiled period of gravel/soil washing off to low-lying areas and sea Moderate Construction area All materials should be stored in a manner to minimize erosion. Silt traps shall be placed where appropriate to minimize sedimentation of nearby waterways. At the stage of construction planning Contractor Supervising Officer
Reduce the length of stockpiling through proper planning of construction stages. Storm water congestion on site can creating inconveniences to the community and construction work due to water stagnation; this can also cause vector-borne diseases Moderate Construction area Drainage paths should be cut at the early stages of the construction work to divert the storm water out Ensure water is not stagnated on the construction area at all times Eliminate any possible breeding habitats Early stages of site preparation Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of stakeholders Overexploitation of water for construction and labour camps High Construction site should be obtained with a consent from the relevant authority Water use at site should be monitored to manage possible over use and improper use Consent to be taken by the time of mobilization Water usage to be monitored daily Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of local stakeholders Waste water generated during construction and from labour camps can also contaminate water sources Moderate Construction areas and the vicinity Divert the waste water to an existing sewage systems with the approval of the relevant authority Treat water generated through construction activities, particularly water mixed with paint and similar hazardous material To be set up at the early stages of mobilization During the times when hazardous material are in use Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of local stakeholders The use of machines working with fuel, oils and lubricants on work sites maybe a source of water contamination risks by infiltration Moderate Construction areas and the vicinity All machines should good conditions without any possible leaks Handling of fuel, oils and lubricants for the machines should be done on designated workshops/ fuel located in the vicinity of the site At all Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of stakeholders Accidental spillage of oil and chemicals impacting groundwater and uncontrolled site runoff to nearby coastal Moderate Construction areas and the vicinity Plan should be in place to respond to such accidents At the stage of construction planning Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of
waters impacting water quality due to suspended solids and other contaminants. stakeholders Various types of waste such as litter, human waste, food waste, etc. from labour camps, as well as construction-related wastes will be generated can create inconveniences to public and school users, and contribute negatively towards public health; wastes that are not disposed properly can become breeding grounds for water borne diseases and can contribute to groundwater and coastal water contamination; and unsafe disposal of asbestos from degraded roofs may cause public health issues High Construction areas and the vicinity Waste management plan should be agreed at the mobilization stage A waste recycling plan shall be prepared by the contractor to reduce the amount of waste disposed Waste generated during site clearance should be disposed of in areas approved by the local authority Construction sites shall be cleared on a daily basis of any material that can cause injury or potential become a public health hazard Proper and marked waste bins should be located on construction sites and labour camps Disposal of hazardous materials shall be done in a manner that does not cause harm to surrounding environment and public. Paints, thinners and other material shall be temporarily stored and disposed of RGOB approved methodology and sites in consultation with the local authorities. Temporary storage should be barricaded and marked. During decommissioning activities, hazardous material shall be identified (e.g asbestos sheets) and Planning part should be carried out as construction planning and should be in place by the time of mobilization At least weekly disposal of waste should take place Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of local stakeholders
Employing safe traffic control measures, including road signs and flag persons to warn of dangerous conditions Improper location of camps and workers making space for interactions with community leading to negative social impacts – applicable particularly labour is bought in from outside the community Moderate Construction site and vicinity Labour if needed to be set up should be located in a site with minimum interaction with the community Closely monitor the movements of workers through strict labour supervision. Setting up of labour and access to labourers should be planned as part of construction planning Supervision should be carried out at all times Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of stakeholders Construction sites that are not cordoned off can contribute towards potential safety hazards to residents who are located close to the construction site High Construction site and vicinity Vehicle drivers should maintain appropriate speeds in to avoid accidents, especially when driving in populated areas. Strict labour supervision should be undertaken of construction workers Labour awareness programmes to educate labourers on of conduct shall be introduced Safety regulations shall be followed by contractors to minimize risks Necessary barriers, warnings, signs demarcating unsafe areas should be followed according to standard construction practices Safety nets should be used to cover buildings and prevent injury to workers, as well as the community living in the vicinity Code of conduct and safety protocols should be put in place as part of construction planning aid facility should be in place as soon as the contractor mobilizes to the site Labour awareness creation on safety should be carried out as soon as the staff are mobilized Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of stakeholders
Safety paths should be identified for peoples movements. Provide first aid facilities in case of an emergency and safety protocols during such event. Provide safety equipment to workers Physical interventions should be in place at all times of construction activities During site preparation and construction work noise will be generated due to construction related work creating disturbances to residents living close to the construction site; and construction-induced traffic movement from pick-ups, excavators, dump trucks, etc., use of powerful mechanical equipment, and demolition of existing buildings will also contribute to noise pollution. High Construction site and vicinity shall be kept to minimum required standards during school hours in order to prevent any inconveniences Where possible, usage of noise generating equipment should be kept to the minimum Strict labour supervision should be undertaken to reduce noise Equipment used on site shall be in good serviced condition. All times during construction activities Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of local stakeholders Dust generated during excavation work, backfilling, reinstatement work, demolition activities, cement mixing, handling construction material, truck movement in the site area can impacts the air quality during construction; dust generated during clearing and construction work can cause difficulties for students who have respiratory problems, soil/ gravel kept for long periods High Construction site and vicinity Materials such as gravel and soil shall be covered during transport Frequent watering down of construction site shall be needed to minimize dust generation Put up dust barriers in decommissioning areas and areas of extensive earth works and cement mixing areas Excessive dust generating activities should be planned out during off peak traffic times All times during construction activities Contractor Supervising Officer with the support of local stakeholders
Study Tour on best practices of highland pasture management 2 week Local stakeholders and forest officials To be identified A well informed stakeholders and forest officials Basic training program on Environmental Impact Assessment (EA) 4 week Local stakeholders and forest officials NECS A well trained stakeholders on environmental assessments Strengthen environmental competency through provision of human resources. Recruitment of an Environmental Specialist/ consultant to support NPM in various environmental functions described in previous sections. The specialist support may be needed more in the initial stage due to preparatory works, system/tools establishment, and orientations/training. The input could be gradually reduced. Communities and contractor will need to be trained or made aware in various activities assigned to them: this could be done through need-based support by hiring short-term consultants. Organizing targeted and need-based awareness, orientations and training tailored to the needs of different stakeholders including awareness to project community, practical training to contractors/implementers and site supervision team/staff, and orientations to project stakeholders at centre and districts. Engaging private sector or NGO or local organization such as School Nature Clubs for certain type of environmental activities, for example for monitoring and awareness raising in the project/project area. NECS and/or WCD MOAF may access project fund for engaging NGO or private sector for performing periodic compliance monitoring of project. Project may also support hiring short-term consultant, if needed; to support DECs in doing project's environmental management works. Reviewing environmental consequences and performance of already built similar structures for lesson learning purpose, dissemination of the lessons, and refining the approaches and guidelines. Annex 1. List of officials and stakeholders Laya Gewog, Gasa (12-13, July 2012) Sl. No. Name Gender Village From vulnerable household Group Discussion 1 Kinley Male Lungo No 2 Chhimi Dema Female Lupcha No 3 Pema Thinley Male Lupcha No 5 Rinchen Male Pashi No 6 Sangay Tenzin Male Neylu No 7 Phurpa Lhamo Female Lupcha No 8 Tsering (Tshoga) Male Lungo No 9 Passang (Tsogpa) Male Tongra
4. National Policies and Acts National Forest Policy, 1974 and National Forest Policy 2011 The essence of the National Forest Policy 1974 is primarily on conservation of forests and associated resources for ecological values and secondarily on their exploitation for economic benefits but within the limits of sustainability. It hinges on the following four guiding principles: Protection of the land, its forest, soil, water resources and biodiversity against degradation, such as loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, landslides, floods and other ecological devastation and the improvement of all degraded forest land areas, through proper management systems and practices; Contribution to the production of food, water, energy and other commodities by effectively coordinating the interaction between forestry and farming systems; Meeting the long-term needs of Bhutanese people for wood and other forest products by placing all production forest resources under sustainable management; Contribution to the growth of national and local economies, including exploitation of export opportunities, through fully developed forest based industries, and to contribute to balanced human resources development through training and creation of employment opportunities. National Forest Policy 2011. Consultation with communities is required. Construction of road through the established community forest may loose the naturally or artificially grown forest resources, which were managed by community forest management group. So, the loss of resources may have to be compensated as per the guidelines. Forest and Nature Conservation Act, 1995 The environmental legislation to be passed in Bhutan was the Bhutan Forest Act, 1969, which brought all forest resources under government custody with the intent to regulate forest and control excessive forest exploitation. This law was repealed in 1995 with the enactment of the Forest and Nature Conservation Act (FNCA), 1995, in keeping with evolving conservation needs and to allow for community stewardship of forests. The objective of the FNCA is to “provide for the protection and sustainable use of forests, wildlife and related natural resources of Bhutan for the benefit of present and future generations”. It covers forest management, prohibitions and concessions in government reserved forests, forestry leases, social and community forestry, transport and trade of forestry produce, protected areas, wildlife conservation, soil and water conservation, forest fire prevention, and enforcement and penalties. Forest and Nature Conservation 2000