No. J-12011/6/2009-IA.I
Government of India
Ministry of Environment & Forests
(IA.I - Division)
Paryavaran Bhawan,
CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road,
New Delhi – 110003
Dated : 10.6.2009
To,
The Project Head
Rangit-II HEP
Sikkim Hydro Power Ventures Ltd
Namgyal House, Sakyong Road
Gyalshing – 737 111
Sikkim
Subject : Rangit-II HEP Project 66 MW ( 2 x 33 MW) in West Sikkim District of Sikkim by M/s. Sikkim Hydro Power Ventures Ltd - Environmental Clearance – regarding.
Sir,
This has reference to your letter No. SHPVL-5/2008/324-27 dated 27.1.2009 and subsequent letters dated 7.3.2009, 7.4.2009 and 22.4.2009 on the above subject.
2. The above proposal was considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee for River Valley & Hydroelectric projects at its meeting held on 16.2.2009, 20.3.2009, 21.4.2009 and 14.5.2009. Public Hearing was held on 21.9.2008.
3. The proposed project is located on river Rimbi Khola in West Sikkim District of Sikkim. A 40 m high concrete gravity dam is proposed to construct across river Rimbi Khola a tributory of Rathong Chu to generate 66 MW hydropower. The project is a run-of-the river scheme. A surface powerhouse with 2 units each of 33 MW) is proposed on the left bank of river Khalez Khola near Chongjong village. The total land requirement is about 64.93 ha. Out of which 55.87 ha.and 8.46 is forest land. 4.00 ha. of land is likely to be submerged. Six (6) villages consisting of 145 families (36 marginally & 109 non-marginally) are likely to be affected due to this project. The NRRP-2007 will be followed for project affected persons. The total project cost is about Rs.359.24 Crores and will be completed in 36 months.
4. The Ministry of Environment and Forests hereby accords environmental clearance as per the provisions of Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 subject to strict compliance of the terms and conditions as follows:
Part A: Specific Conditions:
i. Catchment Area Treatment Plan as has been proposed should be completed in 3 years. The plan is given below:
|
Treatment Measures |
YearI |
YearII |
YearIII |
Total |
|
(A) Biological Measures |
|
|
|
|
|
Afforestation (ha) |
70 |
65 |
45 |
180 |
|
Natural Regeneration (ha) |
120 |
110 |
80 |
310 |
|
Fodder Development (ha) |
80 |
80 |
60 |
220 |
|
Horticulture Development(ha) |
50 |
50 |
-- |
100 |
|
Bamboo Plantation(ha) |
60 |
40 |
40 |
140 |
|
Broom Grass(ha) |
25 |
75 |
50 |
150 |
|
Seed Sowing &Broadcasting(ha) |
60 |
50 |
35 |
145 |
|
Nursery Development (Nos) |
1 |
1 |
-- |
2 |
|
(B)Engineering Measures |
|
|
|
|
|
Bally Benching(ha) |
30 |
10 |
10 |
50 |
|
Soil& Moisture Conservation(ha) |
30 |
10 |
10 |
50 |
|
Contour Bonding (ha) |
20 |
10 |
10 |
40 |
|
Dry Stone Wall (m3 ) |
375 |
250 |
225 |
850 |
|
Dry Stone Sausage Wall (m3 ) |
200 |
180 |
170 |
550 |
|
CCM Wall (m3 ) |
205 |
-- |
-- |
205 |
|
Catch Water Drain(running meters) |
600 |
400 |
200 |
1200 |
(ii) The land holding of project affected persons whose land is being acquired to be submitted to this Ministry. The R&R package NRRP – 2007 should be followed project affected persons. Adequate publicity of the compensation package should be circulated in the affected villages.
(iii) During lean season 0.8 cumec water as environmental flow should be allowed to flow uninterruptedly, without having any on/off mechanism under control of the project proponents for maintaining the aquatic life in the downstream.
(iv) The Bio-diversity Management Plan as well as Orchid development, including wildlife census & surveillance should be strictly implemented and budget allocated of Rs. 195.59 lakhs should not be diverted to any other purpose.
(v) The commitment made during the public hearing should be fulfilled.
(vi) All the equipment which are likely to generate high noise levels are to be fully (noise reduction measures) to meet the ambient noise control standards.
(vii) The total quantity of muck to be generated is 2,39,023 m3 due excavation. Out of which about 73,939 m3 is proposed to utilize for the construction material & other filling purposes. The remaining 1,65,084 m3 of muck should be disposed of at proposed 3 designated sites. Consolidation and compilation of the muck should be carried-out in the muck dumping sites and the dumping sites should be above high flood level.
(viii) The proposed compensatory afforestation programme in 16.92 ha is proposed along-with State Forest Department implemented in toto.
(ix) Clear felling of trees should be restricted to 2 m below the FRL and the proposed 40 m should be developed around the reservoir periphery.
(x) As mentioned in the Fisheries Development Plan, the proposed (i) check dams across river for sustenance of fry & fingerlings (ii) creating artificial riffles for providing breeding ground to fish (iii) to develop indigenous species for reservoir fishery development should be taken-up strictly. The proposed budget of Rs. 49.22 lakhs allocated for this purpose should not be diverted.
(i) Adequate free fuel arrangement should be made for the labour force engaged in the construction work at project cost so that indiscriminate felling of trees is prevented.
(ii) Fuel depot may be opened at the site to provide the fuel (kerosene/LPG). Medical facilities as well as recreational facilities should also be provided to the labourers.
(iii) All the labourers to be engaged for construction works should be thoroughly examined by health personnel and adequately treated before issuing them work permit.
(iv) Restoration of construction area including dumping site of excavated materials should be ensured by leveling, filling up of burrow pits, landscaping etc. The area should be properly treated with suitable plantation.
(v) Financial provision should be made in the total budget of the project for implementation of the above suggested safeguard measures.
(vi) Six monthly monitoring reports should be submitted to the Ministry and its Regional Office, Shillong for review.
5. Officials from Regional Office MOEF, Shillong who would be monitoring the implementation of environmental safeguards should be given full cooperation, facilities and documents / data by the project proponents during their inspection.
6. The responsibility of implementation of environmental safeguards rests fully with the Developer, Sikkim Hydro Power Ventures Ltd & Government of Sikkim.
7. The total amount of Rs. 1254.75 lakhs kept in the budgetary provisions for implementation of environmental management plan should be strictly adhered and not to be diverted for any other purpose.
8. In case of change in the scope of the project, project would require a fresh appraisal.
9. The Ministry reserves the right to add additional safeguard measures subsequently, if found necessary and to take action including revoking of the clearance under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to ensure effective implementation of the suggested safeguard measures in a time- bound and satisfactory manner.
10. This clearance letter is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue of this letter for commencement of construction work.
11. A copy of the clearance letter will be marked to concerned Panchayat / local NGO, if any, from whom any suggestion/ representation has been received while processing the proposal.
12. State Pollution Control Board / Committee should display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional Office, District Industries Center and Collector’s office/ Tehsildar’s office for 30 days.
13. The project proponent should advertise within 7 days at least in two local newspapers widely circulated in the region around the project, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and copies of clearance letters are available with the State Pollution Control Board / Committee and may also be seen at Website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at http:// www.envfor.nic.in.
14. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred within a period of 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997.
Yours faithfully
(Dr. S. Bhowmik)
Additional Director
Copy to:
1. The Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shram Shakti, Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001.
2. The Adviser (Power), Planning Commission, Yojna Bhawan, New Delhi - 110001.
3. Secretary, Department of Power, Government of Sikkim, Secretariat, Gangtok.
4. The Secretary, Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife Management, Forest Secretariat, Goverment of Sikkim, Deoral, Gangtok-737 102, Sikkim
5. The Chief Engineer, Project Appraisal Directorate, Central Electricity Authority, Sewa Bhawan, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066.
6. The Regional Office, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Shillong
7. Member Secretary, State Pollution Control Board, Department of Forests, Environment & Wildlife Management Department, Deorali, Gangtok- 737 102, Sikkim
8. EI- Division, Ministry of Environment & Forests, New Delhi-110003.
9. Guard file.
(Dr. S. Bhowmik)
Additional Director