Development of Eia Guidelines of Significant Factors For Diamer Basha Dam Gilgit Baltistan

Abstract Energy crises is the one of the major problem that was faced by Pakistan in order to overcome on that crises Pakistan need to be developed and improvement in energy sector, Throughout in the country the demand of water and power increasing day by day therefore hydropower project are the need of the hour in Pakistan. Before initiation of any project EIA play important role in evaluating the nature of the project on different factors. Government of Pakistan planned one of the mega hydropower project diamer basha dam was planned in Gilgit Baltistan. It was intended to conduct the research work on describing significant factors so as to evaluate the influence of the project on them and develop guidelines for environmental assessment for these factors. To find out these significant factors the methodology was adapted to conducting field investigation. Besides to assess the relevant impact questionnaires were developed. Finally, in order to reduce the negative impact of the project on the predefine factor mitigation measure was suggested. It is anticipated that this study work support in developing structure work to be executed as mitigation measures and boost the advantages of the project.


Figure 1: Location of Proposed Diamer Basha Dam Project
The dam will be slightly curved gravity structure of roller compacted concrete (RCC) with a crest level of 1,170 meters above sea level (masl) and crest length of over 1,000 m. The maximum height will be 272 m above the firm rock foundation. Full reservoir level (FRL) will be 1,160 masl with minimum operating level (MOL) of 1,060 masl having a live storage capacity of 7.9 BCM. Figure 2.1 describes the site location of the dam.

Sampling
It was a quantifiable study in environment. Specimen is a small demonstration of universe 'because of lack of time, charge and physical restriction it is additional inexpensive to study rather than the entire universe. The residents of sample for the study was 70 respondents of venture area and its nearby i.e. basha diamer dam project Gilgit but it was divided into two part, first one was for experts and second sample for community. Specimen were in proper form so the results were made on the basis of those 70 samples, out of which 30 for community were the local people (i.e. inhabitants, sellers, rickshaw drivers) and remaining 40 were the experts (i.e. engineer, site engineer, environmentalist)

Research Strategy
Questionnaire was a mail source of data collection in this research work and it's key purpose was to apply the information and facts to confirm or reject the research assumptions. In the survey most of the queries were open ended, as the important thing was to gain opinions, views also ideas of supporters and to obtain the findings of specific groups which were observed and could not be quantified on site. Thus, questionnaire was a through person to person argument on diverse levels. Other significant tip was the reliability of the research.

Target stakeholders
The objective partners who were the beneficiaries of the questionnaire were essentially the general population straightforwardly and by implication engaged with the dam venture advancement process and are influenced by the formative undertaking and its natural results, are arranged it into two gatherings, to be specific • Community of dam site • Experts of Gilgit Baltistan in the related department of dam

Baseline Survey of dam site
The primary step to begin the study on Diamer Basha dam Gilgit was followed by base line study. The place where research was to be carried out, was thoroughly investigated for its demarcation, area or size, landscape closeness, sound level, traffic load etc. to come up with a precise environmental record. Base line study directed was chiefly in light of the data of nearby and specialized familiarity with the local together with financial issues. Both subjective and quantitative information was accumulated at dam site. Pattern information was normally. found in papers, in maps and databases, anyway sometimes supplementary field perceptions a perspective of kept networks were necessary.

Site Identification and Selection
The recognition of possible locations for any new development has to be assumed with the view of developing standards which differentiate the different setting restraints: substantial, security, environmental, community, economic, dogmatic and technological. The most significant aim of the Site assort should be: (Environmental impact Assessment for Waste Treatment and Disposal Facilities.

Development of EIA Guides Lines
A preliminary visit to the proposed landfill site was conducted in March 2018. Primary data collection was subsequently undertaken during March-May 2018. This included the collection of socio-economic survey, screening, impact identification and prediction, impact evaluation and mitigation measures. socio-economic baseline information through a standardized survey consist of questionnaire (Performa) focusing on household composition, general health status, livelihood strategies, and employment, the availability of utilities, and most importantly land acquisition and resettlement issues. A sample survey conducted diamer district of Gilgit Baltistan.

Data Collection
Primary and secondary information was gathered through field observations, environmental observing in the apprehended, related departments and printed materials to establish summary for physical, biological and socio-economic situations of planned dam site

Physical environment
Information was composed on the current physical environment specific to as connected to geology, geography, topsoil, water quality, hydrology soil pattern, climate, land use, geomorphology

Settlements
Project impacted area extends over about 102 km of Indus River reach (reservoir stretch of 94 km) upstream of the dam site almost entirely lying within Diamer District of N(GB)A with its headquarter at Chilas in the middle. Furthermore, the only areas suitable for housing and cultivation are along the Indus River itself and adjacent to many streams, local name "nullah" or "gah", at their outfalls. Water courses of these nullahs are often quite long and populated by many people, especially when they have sufficient water all over the year. Mostly the people in one valley belong to one ethnic group or tribe. That is why the population in each valley has a peculiar feeling of communal cohesion, and maintain intensive inter-village relationship. The valleys determine optimal interactions due to cultural, social and religious beliefs.
• Minar Significant manifestation is marriages between the families living within the valley.

i. Cultivated Land
The land use pattern is directly affected by the natural conditions, which are, in turn, dependent on the semi-arid to arid local climate and area relief. Cultivated land is only to be found in locations close to the perennial nullahs, where all settlements have been established. There is almost no rain-fed agriculture. However, at some locations groundwater supplies along the wider alluvial fans of some nullahs are available. Due to running in deep gorge and high seasonal fluctuation, there can be no supply of irrigation water from the Indus River.

ii. Rangeland
Under the local climatic conditions, the prevalent vegetation in the area is a sparsely grassed steppe characterized by Artemisia plant associations. In general, all this land outside of the villages and palatines of the adjacent ranges called 'Dases' is used for grazing. Quality of this rangeland for livestock support is very poor. However, rangeland on moraines and terraces is more productive than that on rock outcrops covered only by thin alluvial deposits. Wet rangeland exists at very few places, where permanent and occasional ground or floodwater is available. These wet rangelands like at Thor Nullah, Buto Nullah, Thak Nullah, Khanbari Nullah, and Kiner Nullah, enable growth of high productive perennial grass.

iii. Rocky and Sandy Areas
There are many rock outcrops, cliffs, rockslides, and also sand banks and dunes, which do not have any vegetation cover. Very often, they are adjoining the rangeland areas.

iv. Residential Land
Land use, depicted in Map 3, illustrates the dispersed locations of residential area. The typical pattern in the project area is that residential land, except in upper Chilas Town, adjoins the cultivated land even in lower Chilas.

v. Land for Business Facilities
Business facilities are mostly located on the left bank of Indus River along Karakorum Highway covering small plots. To this land use category belong: builtup land with shops including wooden cabins; hotels; workshops; petrol / fuel filling stations; timber storage places; saw mills; and a few open landscapes

Land Ownership Status
Due to the historical genesis of Pakistan the land ownership conditions in Northern (Gilgit-Baltistan) Areas are quite different as compared to settled areas. Since independence from British colonial rule in 1947, Pakistan has exercised sovereignty over N (GB) A. Although N (GB) A is not defined as Pakistani territory under the 1973 Constitution, it is being governed by the Federal Government since 1951 (In September 2009, the area was granted autonomous status by the Government of Pakistan and renamed 'Gilgit and Baltistan'). Thus, some tribal rules and former principalities have continued to be applied. Management and institutions of natural resources are governed by a combination of legal instruments including common law dating back to the colonial administration of India (Land Acquisition Act 1894 predominantly), and Pakistan federal and provincial statutes. Cultivated and residential land in the vicinity of settlements was initially given to the migrant population virtually as tenancy. Adoption of current 'Northern (Gilgit-Baltistan) Areas Nautor Rule'(1980) envisages that the occupant of land will be treated as its owner. All other land beyond the settlements, mostly barren in the form of 'Dases' will belong to the Northern (Gilgit-Baltistan) Areas Administration. As already mentioned this has been a cause of prolonged dispute between the tribes and NA (GB) in the courts. However, as mentioned earlier that the parties have now shown willingness for an out of court settlement.
As already mentioned, in the project area, land records are almost non-existent. Neither a landowner nor a tenant has any document, record or certificate about his property. No revenue map is available with the District Administration except lists (handwritten) of households occupying the land including its use for residential and agricultural purposes. The ownership on land, tenure-ship, possession of houses and other properties are confirmed by Jirga of the village in cases of dispute. To overcome this difficulty, a Cadastral Survey had to be conducted during 2007

Survey Observations 3.1. Environmental issues
There is absolutely environmental issues generated due to construction of dam from where 43.33% of the people highlighted the main environmental issue related to project are air pollution, solid waste pollution and traffic congestion, 20%of the people said that this project generated issues related to water ,solid waste and traffic congestion,10% people said that project generates issues related to water air and solid waste and 26.66% of the people said that due this project issue generated are air, water and traffic congestion

Mitigation Measures
For the mitigation of traffic congestion its should be banned on the NCP vehicles in the project area, bund formation along the river side to save water from turbidity during working time and solid waste from working site should be dumped in the specific place  Figure 1 represents area that submerged in the reservoir of community most of the people have submerged their land greater than 20 kanal having percentage of 36.66% after that 30% of the people having submerged area is almost 5 kanal, and 7% of community said that we have submerged area of farmland is 10 kanal and 26.66% people said that we have no farm land submerge on the reservoir.

Residential area submerged in the reservoirs
Resident Area submerged in the reservoir are as 23% people have 1 kanal of resident area is submerged similarly 27% people have submerged area is 2 kanal and 10% people have less than three kanal rest of 40 % had not submerged their residential area which shown in Figure 3.

Recommended Mitigation measures
There is no possibility for mitigation measures on site However, the entire livelihood of affected population including settlements, houses and population will have to be restored. These measures form the part of companion document of 'Resettlement Plan'.

Area of shop effect in dam
Area of shop affected in the project area where 13%,7%,7% and 73% people had been asked that their affect area was >3kanal,2kanal,1kanal zero kanal respectively as shown in Figure 4.

Recommended Mitigation measures
For the mitigation of area of submerged shop it should be provide proper compensation and royalty of that shop that are under submerged in the project area.

Trees effect in the dam site
Trees affected in the project area where 23%,3%,3% ,34%and 37% people would be the affect area was >3kanal,2kanal,1kanal,0 kanal respectively which are shown in Figure 5. Removal of adult trees is being followed in some large international projects. Under this approach, the people are offered transportation to the new resettlement locations. This measure can also create favourable conditions for construction of new houses in the Model Villages. However, this approach for this particular case may fail due to the size of trees and transportation difficulty.

Is there any archeological and culture site or building in the project site?
70% people think that there are archeological and culture site or building in the project site of dam but 30% people would have response that there is no archeological and culture site in the project area which show in a chart given in Figure 6. would be replicated including a few relocated, if possible. As mentioned above, this is proposed to be accomplished through a 'Cultural Heritage Management Plan'.

Creation of job due to project of dam
There are different point of view about the creation of job due to project of dam where 40% people expressed that due to project there is increase of employment in area,7% people asked that the area become commercial due to project ,40% people expressed that due to project there is increment of labor in project area but 13% people said that there is no creation of employment in area due to this project as shown in Figure 7.

Recommended Mitigation Measures
Supporting measures to overcome the above described unfavorable conditions are as follows: ➢ Strengthening of existing vocational training facilities in Chilas with WAPDA and other concerned national / regional agencies to improve employment prospects of locals ➢ Development of basic education and vocational training facilities, particularly in the Model Villages to resettle PAPs ➢ Specialization to impart computer skills to the locals through introduction of preparatory measures in the basic education and vocational training as well ➢ Preferential employment of locals, particularly for non-skilled jobs through standing arrangements between WAPDA / contractors and Northern (Gilgit-Baltistan) Areas Administration

Is there a possibility that the project will damage the local historical culture and religious heritage?
The project would damage a lot of mosque and historical place but from the research 45%of the people said that there would be damage of cultural and religious heritage would be moderate, 35%of the people said that the damage of religious and cultural heritage would be high, 13% of the people said that it would be low and 7%of the people said that it would be no damage of the cultural and religious heritage which shown in Figure 8.  Recommended Mitigation Measure ➢ It is not possible to resettle the migrants at their desired places however, the entire livelihood of affected population including settlements, houses and population will have to be restored.

Do this project have badly impact the agriculture productivity and land?
During the formation of reservoir of the dam there were 31 villages that are submerged in the reservoir its means that there would be badly impact on the agriculture productivity and land but the 67% of the respondent said that there would be badly effect on the agriculture productivity and 33.33% of the people said that there would be no effect on the agriculture productivity and land. The results are shown in Figure 10.

Recommended Mitigation Measures
No particular mitigation measures will be required but the activity might have to be properly managed. It can be seen that a sizeable chunk of land measuring 3690 ha (9114 acres) could be brought under recession agriculture through proper planning and implementation. Similar to experience at Tarbela reservoir, the farmers in this case will have the opportunity to cultivate the land vacated during the drawdown period of October to May. The land, containing reservoir moisture, could be beneficially used to grow medium-and short-term crops, particularly fodders. For optimum development of this significant potential, active association of the local Agriculture / Forest Departments will be necessary. However, the primary role will be played by the operating agency of WAPDA. It may involve formalization of arrangements to encourage recession agriculture through: -➢ Leasing ➢ Advising the farmers, on season to season basis, about progressive anticipated availability of lands for cultivation. ➢ Advance information for timely evacuation of land according to reservoir impounding schedule. Regarding agronomic aspects, crop zoning and non-water inputs, the technical advice to farmers will be provided by the Agriculture Department through its Extension Service

Do you think this project have created loss of geomorphological important structure?
Geomorphology is the basically study of the physical feature of the surface of the earth and their relationship to geological structure of earth ,in this research 70% people said that there would change in physical feature due to dam and 30% people said that there would be no change in physical feature of project area. The results are shown in Figure 11.

Recommended Mitigation Measures
Mitigation measures are not required as far as the geology is concerned. In the case of landscape beauty the loss of the typical high mountain valley seems to be balanced with the establishment of a beautifully high mountain "lake". The reservoir operating agency (WAPDA) will be well advised to support enhanced recreation and tourism in the region in cooperation with the concerned regional / national agencies

Do this project enhance the social and economic uplift?
Most of the people would express their view that due the project of dam the local people of that area would have strong their economy and also socially become too strong the comment of the people are shown in the chart given below.  Figure 12 has shown that there has been no significant observation found regarding the research question being observed. In this regard it is not required to take any measures and there is no need to develop mitigation plan for this matter.

Social conflict and issues arise due project of dam
For the compensation of the project there would be enhancement in illegal grabbing of land, quarrelsome, deprivation would be found among community their relative percentage is shown in Figure 13.

Recommended Mitigation Measures
It should be guided through the prescribed strict rules of conduct and behavior in the project area for the male workers. Contractor(s) security personnel including their public relation staff would be prepared for this aspect and to do everything possible to avoid any tensions. Most valuable and regular advice to expatriate construction workers will be to respect ethical values. Contractor(s), in cooperation with Diamer District Administration and WAPDA, will introduce regular monitoring processes to watch implementation of any appropriate mitigation measures for reducing the risk of deterioration of social life

Air pollution due to project of dam
Due to working of different machinery there is a lot of pollution in the site area of project due to which air would be polluted where 17% people said in site area of project there would be high air pollution and 30% people point of view was that air pollution would be low at site area of project and 53% people predicted air pollution would be medium and 0% said no air pollution in the site area. Due to very distant location of various project construction sites, the threat of air pollution is negligible. However, the construction contractor(s) will be under obligation to minimize emissions and direct impact on receptors.

Noise pollution due to project of dam
There will be a lot of machinery which would be used in the project area for different working purpose during there working there would be a lot of noise created where from conducted survey 13% people said that there would be high noise created in the area and 57% people expressed that there would be medium noise created from project site and 27 % people said that there would be low noise created in the vicinity and 3% said that there would have no noise in the vicinityodern machinery and vehicles with low emissions

Recommended Mitigation Measures
Contractor(s) would be obliged to reduce, as much as possible, the noise pollution. This will require measures such as: ➢ Using modern equipment including heavy vehicles and trucks ➢ Using appropriate protection devices for workers ➢ Avoiding any drives into settled areas, especially at night

Construction of diamer basha dam and its effect on the climate and health of the region
According to 27.5 % expert there would be high change in the climate and health of region due to construction of dam, 55.5%of the experts said that there would be a moderate change in the climate and health of the region due to project 17.5% expert show their view that that there be low change in climate and health of the region and 2.5% expert said that there would be no change which shown in below the diagram.

Recommended Mitigation Measure
In order to cope with changing impact on climate and weather, the nature conditions must be restored, and the original scenario must be retained at the most. Following steps must be taken as mitigation.
➢ To conserve nature, trees, plants, animals and other habitat as much as possible by developing controlled and monitored natural parks in the area.
➢ To develop artificial forests in the study area and conduct plantation activity on regular basis. A target quantity of trees must be ensured on seasonal basis.
➢ Natural lakes need to be constructed in the study area to cope with issues of water scarcity and to maintain the ecosystem balance in the environment.

Seismic shaking, flooding or high-water condition
55% expert said that the project would produce situation of seismic shaking, flooding or high-water condition and 45% of the expert said that the project would not produce situation of seismic shaking, flooding or high water condition. Findings are shown in Figure 16.

Recommended Mitigation Measure
In order to cope with significant probability regarding seismic, shaking, flooding or high-water conditions, the designing of the structure must be earthquake resilient, having capacity to bear unpredictable load and shaking. The structures should be lighter in weight to avoid any kind of unavoidable structure unbalance or failure.

Increment impact on water quality resulting from the reservoirs
22.2% expert said that this project would high contribute to increment impact on water quality resulting from the reservoirs, 42.5% expert said that this project would medium contribute to increment impact on water quality resulting from the reservoirs, 22.5% expert said that this project would low contribute to increment impact on water quality resulting from reservoirs.12.5% experts said that this project would low contribute to increment impact on water quality resulting from the reservoirs as shown Figure 18.

Recommended Mitigation Measures
In this case as significant is expected for water quality deterioration, wetland construction can one of most suitable options to improve the water quality for the flora and fauna. While for drinking purpose, proper drinking water treatment plant must be available for the community nearby.

Effect on Land sliding
72.5% expert said that the project activities would enhance land sliding and 27.5% expert said that the project activities would not enhance land sliding which shows in Figure 19.

Recommended Mitigation Measures
In order to reduce the impact of land sliding on the study area, the most appropriate approach is to focus on constructing embankments as well as intense tree plantation on the slopes of mountains.

Conclusion
Construction of Diamer Basha Dam Project including its reservoir would significantly change the environment of the area through the following impacts:-➢ Relocating almost 30,000 peoples from their homes in 31 villages ➢ Submerging cultivated and rangeland, thus denying the essential food, economic base, particularly of local farmers ➢ Altering the natural river regime through establishing a reservoir with large seasonal fluctuations, river channel erosion and sedimentation ➢ Adversely impacting cultural heritage through submergence of a large number of unique rock carvings ➢ Submerging the habitats of amphibians, reptiles and birds Under adverse impacts, the most severe would be relocating / resettling a large portion of local population. Submerging their homes, severing their socioeconomic activities of cultivation and animal husbandry and deteriorating the social structure of traditional villages and neighborhoods would have to be considered as the most serious implications. During designing stage it has seriously considered the prevention / minimization of sever environmental changes through appropriate adjustments in the design. On the other hand, there will be accrual of very large positive benefits to economy of the entire Pakistan through: enhanced irrigation supplies; 35 years prolonged useful life of Tarbela Dam; economic growth of millions of Pakistani peoples; contributing over 19000 GWh of energy per annum to the national power grid; and avoidance of sizeable greenhouse gas emissions to retard the global warming. Notwithstanding this, the Government and WAPDA are endeavoring to contain / mitigate negative impacts of the project on the local environment