2009 NESPAK JV FS Dasu Hydropower - V9 ESIA & Resettlement PDF

PAKISTAN WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
DASU HYDROPOWER PROJECT
FEASIBILITY REPORT
VOLUME 9
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND

RESETTLEMENT ASPECTS
February 2009
National Engineering Services Pakistan(Pvt) Limited (NESPAK)

Associated Consulting Engineers-ACE (Pvt) Limited
Montgomery Watson Harza Energy & Infrastructure Inc. USA
Colenco Power Engineering Limited, Switzerland
In Association with:
Binnie & Partners (Overseas) Limited
Dasu Hydropower Project – Feasibility Report Volume 9
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND

RESETTLEMENT ASPECTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY
S.1 Introduction S-1

S.2 Legal and Institutional Framework for Environmental
Assessment S-1
S.3 Description of the Project S-2
S.4 Project Alternatives S-2
S.5 Project Scoping and Public Consultation S-3
S.6 Baseline Environmental Conditions S-3
S.7 Impact Identification, Quantification and Valuation S-4
S.8 Impact Mitigation, Remedial and Enhancement Measures S-5
S.9 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan S-6
S.10 Conclusions S-7
S.11 Recommendations S-8
S.12 Future Environmental Management Program S-9
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction 1-1

1.2 Structure of Report 1-1
1.3 Project Classification for Level of Environmental Studies 1-1
1.4 Impact Identification Tools 1-2
1.5 Project Disclosure with Stakeholders 1-2
1.6 Resettlement Aspects 1-3
1.7 Socio Economic Survey 1-3
1.8 Scope of Services 1-3
1.9 Approach Adopted for EIA Studies 1-3
1.10 Makeup of EIA & Resettlement Report 1-4
2. REGULATORY LAWS AND THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2.1 Introduction 2-1

2.2 The Legal and Regulatory Framework for EIA in Pakistan 2-1
2.2.1 Policy Framework 2-1

2.2.2 Federal Statutory Framework for Environmental Management
and Assessment 2-3
2.2.3 Provincial Government Statutory Framework 2-6
2.3 Institutional Framework Relevant for EIA in Pakistan 2-7
2.3.1 Federal Government Institutions 2-7

2.3.2 WAPDA 2-8
2.3.3 Provincial Government Institutions 2-10
2.3.4 International and National Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs) 2-12
2.4 Specific EIA Requirements for Dasu Project 2-12
i
2.4.1 Basis for the Environmental Study 2-12

2.4.2 The Project Proponent 2-13
2.4.3 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pakistan 2-13
2.4.4 Pakistan’s Federal EPA Environmental Assessment Procedures 2-13
2.4.5 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) 2-14
2.5 International Agreements and Provincial Water Accord Signed

by Pakistan 2-14
2.5.1 Indus Waters Treaty 1960 2-14

2.5.2 Water Accord 1991 2-15
2.6 EIA Requirements of Potential Financing Institutions 2-15
2.6.1 The World Bank 2-15

2.6.2 The Asian Development Bank 2-16
2.6.3 Other International Procedures for Environmental
Assessment of Dams 2-17
2.7 Implications for the Proposed Project 2-17
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.1 Project Context 3-1
3.1.1 Electric Power Generation Capacity and Demand in Pakistan 3-1

3.1.2 Fuel Sources for Electricity Generation 3-2
3.2 The Need for the Dasu Project 3-3

3.3 Generation Costs of Hydropower in Pakistan 3-4
3.4 Utilization Factor for Hydropower Generation in Pakistan 3-4
3.5 Future Hydropower Development in Pakistan 3-5
3.6 Project Features of Dasu 3-6
3.7 Schedule for Implementation of Dasu Project 3-6
4. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
4.1 No Project Option 4-1

4.2 Technology Alternatives 4-2
4.2.1 Thermal Power 4-2

4.2.2 Nuclear Power 4-3
4.3 Alternative Hydro Power Development Projects 4-4

4.4 Dam Site Location Alternatives 4-4
4.4.1 Hydrological Considerations 4-5

4.4.2 Geological and Geotechnical Consideration 4-5
4.4.3 Seismic and Other Natural Hazards 4-6
4.4.4 Energy Production Considerations 4-6
4.4.5 Environmental Considerations 4-7
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4.5 Types of Dams 4-8
4.5.1 Comparison of Alternatives 4-8

4.5.2 Cost Considerations 4-9
4.5.3 Main Observations 4-9
4.6 Conclusions and Recommendations of the Comparative Dam

Location Analysis 4-10
5. PROJECT SCOPING AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION
5.1 Project Scoping 5-1

5.2 The Nature of Public Consultation 5-1
5.3 Results of Public Consultation to Date 5-1
5.3.1 Selection of Dam Axis Location 5-1

5.3.2 Consultation with Affected People 5-2
5.3.3 Discussion with Local Government Officials 5-2
5.3.4 Discussions with WAPDA’s Environment Cell (WEC) 5-2
5.3.5 Project Disclosure to Experts in Engineering Consultancy Companies 5-3
5.3.6 Project Disclosure to WWF Experts 5-3
5.3.7 Project Disclosure to Religious Groups (Imams at Dasu) 5-3
5.4 Future Public Consultation Requirements 5-4

5.5 Other Relevant Proposed Developments 5-4
6. EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SITUATION,

CONSTRAINTS AND NEEDS
6.1 General 6-1
6.1.1 Purpose of Baseline Study 6-1

6.1.2 Methodology 6-1
6.2 Natural Physical Environment 6-2
6.2.1 Climatological Parameters 6-2

6.2.2 Environmental Monitoring 6-2
6.3 Land Use 6-4

6.4 Natural Biological Environment 6-4
6.4.1 Terrestrial Ecology 6-4

6.4.2 Aquatic Ecology 6-4
6.5 Geology 6-5
6.5.1 Upper Reach Geology 6-5

6.5.2 Lower Reach Geology 6-5
6.5.3 Rock Mass Properties 6-5
6.6 Hydrology 6-5

6.7 Natural Environmental Risks and Hazards 6-6
6.7.1 Seismic Activity 6-6
iii
6.7.2 Kara Kurram Highway (KKH) 6-7
6.8 Socio-economic Environment 6-8

6.9 Consultations 6-9
6.10 Impacts 6-9
6.10.1 Infrastructure Submergence 6-9

6.10.2 Suspension Bridges Across Indus River 6-9
6.10.3 Petroglyphs 6-9
6.10.4 During Construction Impacts 6-9
6.11 Compensation and Resettlement 6-9

6.12 Environmental Constraints 6-10
6.12.1 Indus River Flows 6-10

6.12.2 Seismic Risk 6-10
6.12.3 Landslides 6-10
6.12.4 Political Stability and Security 6-11
6.12.5 Land Acquisition 6-11
6.12.6 Access 6-11
6.12.7 External Environmental Constraints 6-12
6.13 Existing Human Needs in the Project Area 6-12
6.13.1 Provision of Safe Domestic Water Supply, Sanitation

and Health Education 6-12
6.13.2 Improved Nutrition 6-12
6.13.3 Improved Education Provision 6-13
6.13.4 Increased Opportunities for Cash Income Generation 6-13
6.13.5 Electricity Provision 6-13
7. IMPACT IDENTIFICATION, QUANTIFICATION AND

CATEGORIZATION
7.1 Environmental Scoping Methodology 7-1

7.2 Delineation of Boundaries of Possible Impact Areas 7-1
7.3 Positive Impacts 7-1
7.3.1 Electricity Generation 7-1

7.3.2 Job Opportunities 7-2
7.3.3 Water Management 7-2
7.3.4 Surface Water Quality and Amenity 7-2
7.3.5 Upgrading of the KKH 7-3
7.3.6 Local Vegetation and Livestock 7-3
7.3.7 Aquatic Life 7-3
7.3.8 Improvement in Socio-Economic Conditions 7-3
7.3.9 Provision of Public Amenities 7-3
7.3.10 Recreation and Tourism Development 7-4
7.4 Adverse Impacts during the Pre-Construction Phase 7-4
7.4.1 Land Acquisition and Resettlement 7-4

7.4.2 Loss of Private, Community and Government Owned Infrastructure 7-5
7.4.3 Loss of Trees, Vegetation, Agricultural and Grazing Areas 7-5
iv
7.4.4 Submergence of KKH 7-5

7.4.5 Valuation of Lost Assets 7-5
7.5 Adverse Impacts during the Construction Phase 7-6
7.5.1 Physical Environment 7-6

7.5.2 Site for Construction Camps 7-7
7.5.3 Storage of Construction and Excavated Material 7-7
7.5.4 Liquid and Solid Waste from Construction Camps 7-8
7.5.5 Material Quarries and Borrow Pits 7-8
7.5.6 Surface Water Quality 7-9
7.5.7 Ecological Environment 7-9
7.5.8 Socio-economic Environment 7-10
7.5.9 Summary of Impacts during the Construction Phase 7-11
7.6 Adverse Impacts during the Operational Phase 7-12
7.6.1 Physical Environment 7-12

7.6.2 Ecological Environment 7-13
7.6.3 Socio-Economic Environment 7-15
7.6.4 Summary of Impacts during the Operational Phase 7-15
7.7 Quantification of Significant Impacts 7-16

7.8 Valuation of Significant Impacts 7-16
7.9 External Impacts and Constraints 7-17
7.10 Cumulative Impacts and Constraints 7-17
8. IMPACT MITIGATION AND REMEDIAL MEASURES
8.1 Pre-Construction Stage 8-1
8.1.1 Land Acquisition, Compensation and Resettlement 8-1

8.1.2 Submergence of the KKH 8-2
8.1.3 Access for Local People 8-2
8.1.4 Petroglyphs (Rock Carvings) 8-3
8.2 Construction Stage 8-3
8.2.1 The Natural Physical Environment 8-3

8.2.2 The Natural Ecological Environment 8-5
8.2.3 The Socio-Economic Environment 8-6
8.3 Operational Stage 8-7
8.3.1 Natural Physical Environment 8-7

8.3.2 Sedimentation 8-7
8.3.3 Green House Gas Emissions 8-8
8.3.4 Natural Ecological Environment 8-8
8.3.5 Socio-Economic Environment 8-9
9. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN
9.1 Objectives of Environmental Management and Monitoring 9-1

9.2 Mitigation Management Matrix 9-1
9.3 Identification of Mitigation Measures for Significant Adverse Impacts 9-2
v
9.4 Identification of Environmental Enhancement Measures 9-2

9.5 Management of Direct Construction Impacts 9-3
9.6 Site Restoration Plan 9-3
9.7 Reservoir Management Plan 9-4
9.8 Impact Monitoring Program 9-4
9.8.1 Objectives of the Impact Monitoring Plan 9-4

9.8.2 Monitoring Strategy 9-5
9.8.3 Monitoring Parameters and Frequency 9-6
9.8.4 Post Construction Monitoring of Direct Construction Impacts 9-7
9.9 Environmental Risk Management 9-8

9.9.1 Dam Safety 9-8
9.10 Institutional Arrangements for the Project and Implementing the EMMP 9-9
9.10.1 The Key Players 9-9

9.10.2 The Project Proponent (WAPDA) 9-9
9.10.3 Project Contractor 9-10
9.10.4 Supervisory Consultant 9-10
9.10.5 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 9-11
9.10.6 Local Government 9-12
9.10.7 District Government of NWFP 9-12
9.10.8 Northern Areas 9-13
9.10.9 Non-government Organizations (NGOs) 9-14
9.10.10 Suggested Institutional Arrangements for the Implementation of EMMP 9-14
9.11 Change Management Plan 9-14

9.12 Environmental Performance Auditing 9-15
9.13 Training Requirements for Environmental Management 9-15
9.14 Environmental Management Communication and Documentation
Requirements 9-15
9.14.1 Kick-Off Meeting 9-15

9.14.2 Meetings and Reports 9-15
9.14.3 Document Control for Environmental Management 9-17
9.15 Auditing 9-17
9.15.1 Social Protocols – Health Safety & Environmental 9-17

9.15.2 Project Implementation Schedule 9-17
9.16 Follow on and Additional Suggested Environmental Studies 9-17

9.17 Environmental Costs 9-18
9.17.1 Compensation and Mitigation Costs 9-18

9.17.2 Environmental Monitoring Cost 9-18
9.17.3 Training Cost 9-19
9.18 Residual Adverse Impacts 9-19
vi
10. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WORK PROGRAM
10.1 Conclusions 10-1
10.1.1 Positive Impacts 10-1

10.1.2 Adverse Impacts and Mitigation 10-1
10.1.3 Overall Conclusions 10-4
10.2 Recommendations 10-6

10.3 Future Environmental Management Program 10-6
APPENDICES (In Separate Binding)
Appendix–A Socio – Economic Environment Report

Appendix–B Project Impacts, Resettlement and Mitigation Measures
Appendix–C Aquatic Ecology
Appendix–D Terrestrial Ecology
Appendix–E Rehabilitation of River Crossings in the Project Area
Appendix–F Petroglyphs in the Project Area
Appendix–G SUPARCO Water, Air and Noise Quality Data
vii
LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY TEAM
Sr.
No. Name Position Held Qualifications
1 M. Saleem Project Manager B.Sc. (Civil Engg.-1968), M.Sc. (Geotech-1986),
Sheikh Registered Engineer Pakistan Engg.Council (Civ-
265), Member I.E. (Pak.), Member Pakistan Engg.
Congress, Member ASCE, Experience 40 years.
2 Alan Bird Expatriate Chief PhD Thesis on EIA passed subject to minor
Environmental corrections in 2001, BA (Hons) Geography with
Engineering and Economics 1979, Fellow Royal Geographical Society
Resettlement Issues 1983, Chartered Engineering Surveyor (Inst CES)
1983, 36 years experience, nearly all in Asia and
Africa
3 Zafar Iqbal Chief Environmental B.Sc.1961, B.E.(civil)-1965, M.E.(Water Science &
Chaudry Engineering and Engineering-AIT Bangkok)-1970, MIE- Pak, Life
Resettlement Issues Affiliate Member ASCE, Registered Engineer Pakistan
Engineering council ( Civil/4344),Experience 42 years
4 Mohammad Environmentalist and B.Sc. 1963, M.Sc.(Agriculture) 1966, Short Training at
Aslam Malik Resettlement Expert California- USA. Experience 41 years (local &
overseas)
5 Dr.Nazir Aquatic Ecologist M.Sc., Ph.D. Eminent /Researcher & Educationist. Ex
Bhatti Director General Fisheries –Punjab
6 Mohammad Terrestrial Ecologist B.Sc. (Agriculture), M.Sc. (Forestry), Post Grag.
Atta Ullah Degree Remote Sensing (Holland), Post Grad. Dip.
Rana (i)Agriculture Extension & Sociology (ii) Training of
Trainers in Natural Resources (USA), 39 years
experience with Forestry Department.
7 Qayyem Senior Socioeconomist M.A. (Economics) 1979; Post Graduate Diploma in
Awan Demography 1991. Experience 25 years.
8 Muhammad Senior Environmental B.Sc. (Civil) 1996; M.Sc. (Environmental Engineering)
Shariq Engineer 2001; M.Sc. (Software Engineering) 2007; Member
Ahmed PEC (civil/17692); Member Institute of Engineers;
Experience 11years.
9 Imran Zafar GIS Expert B.Sc. (Space Science); M.Sc. (space science +GIS);
Experience 3 ½ years.
10 Mohammad AutoCAD Operator Diploma in Drafting & Designing (3 years); Experience
Pasha 30 years.
11 Noor Assistant M.A.
Mehmood Environmental
Sociologist
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND RESETTLEMENT ASPECTS
SUMMARY
S.1 Introduction
The aim of the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project is to construct a 233 m high dam on
the river Indus for the purposes of generating hydropower. The designed installed
generation capacity is 4,320MW. The reservoir would cover a maximum area of 2,600ha
and the project would be operated on a “run of river” basis. The operational requirements
to meet daily peak demand will result in large daily fluctuations in the reservoir level and
extent. More details of the design of the proposed project are given in Section 3 of the
main EIA report and summarised below. See Figures 1.1 to 1.3 for the project location.
This Environmental Impact Assessment has been carried out at the Feasibility Stage of
the project. There are a set of supporting study reports which are Appendices to the EIA
report, giving the detailed results of specialist studies into specific issues. These include
aquatic and terrestrial ecology, socio-economics, petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings),
access provision in the area and resettlement requirements.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed project covers both the
natural environmental and the human use of these resources, their interaction and how
this relationship is likely to change as a result of the construction and operation of the
Dasu dam. Environmental assessment and management is a continuous inter-active
process throughout the planning, construction and operation of the project. The key
objective is to identify potential adverse impacts of the project early on in the planning
process and to try and avoid these, and where this is not possible then to minimise and
mitigate for them. The guiding principle is that nobody is to be made worse off as a result
of the project and any adverse impacts are to be fully mitigated for with the provision of
equivalent replacement assets that have been lost. In addition, adequate steps are to be
taken to ensure that economic livelihoods are to be sustained at least to the level that
they were before the project construction commenced. Additional environmental
enhancements are also to be considered and the potential benefits of the project are to
be maximised by appropriate planning and implementation.
The methodology used for the EIA follows standard international best practice, with the
drawing up of a scoping environmental checklist and the production of a comparative
matrix. The reporting follows the standard structure of international funding agencies and
also the procedures of the Pakistan regulatory authorities for EIA. There is a requirement
for the work to be carried out in a participatory manner with public consultation. Section 5
of the EIA report outlines how this has been carried out and the main points are
summarised below.
S.2 Legal and Institutional Framework for Environmental Assessment
Section 2 of the EIA report outlines the legal requirements and institutional framework
that are in place for environmental assessment in both Pakistan and internationally and
are applicable to a proposed intervention such as the Dasu Hydropower Project. The key
institutions involved in the project are identified, the Project Proponent being WAPDA.
The proposed project requires a full EIA to be carried out as it is classified in the most
problematic category, being a large dam causing involuntary resettlement of some 3,670
people. The situation with regard to trans-boundary rivers is also outlined, including the
provisions of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. The procedures for dealing with any
protected areas, threatened species and indigenous people are also outlined, as the
existence of any of these can invoke special environmental clearance requirements. The
S-1
onus is on the project proponent to demonstrate if these issues are likely to arise with the
proposed project or not.
S.3 Description of the Project
Section 3 of the EIA report gives a description of the proposed project and its
environmental justification. The need for additional power generation in Pakistan is
paramount, with the present installed capacity in the country being insufficient to even
supply base load, resulting in extensive load-shedding which is holding back economic
development of the country. The proposed project would have a generating capacity of
4,320 MW of hydropower in an environmentally sound and sustainable way, using a
naturally renewable resource in a non consumptive manner and producing no emissions.
Dasu Hydropower Project is planned to be constructed after the upstream dam at
Diamer Basha is completed with a large reservoir, which will hold the river sediments
and allow Dasu to operate as a run of river scheme.
The detailed layout of the proposed dam and hydropower station that has been subject
to a feasibility study is given in Figure 3.2. The plan of the proposed project has gone
through a process of development during the feasibility stage, considering the
environmental consequences of alternative dam sites. These alternatives are discussed
in Section 4 of the EIA report and are summarised below. The optimised plan that has
been taken for feasibility study is for a dam with a full reservoir level of 950masl which
stretches upstream to the toe of the Diamer Basha dam. For land acquisition purposes a
further 7m has been added to cover for flood surcharge and freeboard. The area of the
reservoir up to 957masl is 2,606ha (6,439 acres) and a restriction on the construction of
new infrastructure would need to be made on all land up to the level of 960masl. There
would also be a need for some permanent and limited temporary land acquisition and
downstream of the damsite, where the tailrace discharges back into the river.
S.4 Project Alternatives
The project planning process carried out during the feasibility study has taken into
consideration the environmental consequences of alternative dam sites and has resulted
in significant changes in the pre-feasibility plans particularly in respect of location of the
dam axis, which avoid potential adverse impacts for no loss in overall installed
generation capacity.
The EIA has also looked at wider strategic planning alternatives, including the
consequences of not building the proposed project. The power availability situation in the
country is already critical with long periods of load-shedding that is causing serious
economic and social problems across the country. WAPDA has already been forced to
expand power generation from the burning of fossil fuels which is environmentally
damaging, due to the emissions produced, and is also unsustainable. Added to this is
the fact that much of the fuel has to be imported. The EIA report reviews the current
electricity supply situation and demand predictions, along with the alternatives for
increasing supply (including nuclear power generation) and managing demand. It is clear
that well managed hydropower is environmentally the least damaging and most
sustainable power generation option for the country and also has by far the lowest
operating cost.
The comparative environmental implications of three alternative dam axis locations were
also considered, in detail. The use of Axis 5 (the different axis locations are given in
Figure 3.1) had clear environmental advantages over the downstream site at Axis 2.
These included reducing the number of people who would need to be resettled by almost
half and negating the need for remote resettlement. Local opposition to a dam at Axis 2
S-2
was intense and during the consultation process it was apparent that constructing a dam
at Axis 2 would be highly problematic from a social perspective, especially when it
became clear that a dam at Axis 5 could produce as much generation capacity, even if
the construction cost are estimated to be slightly higher.
The comparative environmental implications of different types of dam construction and

layouts of tunnels, tailrace outfall location, power house sitting (surface or underground)
and diversion arrangements during construction were also considered and are discussed
in Section 4 of the EIA report.
S.5 Project Scoping and Public Consultation
There is a legal requirement for public consultation in the EIA process as outlined in the
regulatory framework for Pakistan and also according to the policy directives of funding
agencies. As part of the EIA fieldwork, extensive consultation has taken place with a
wide range of interested parties, including local people and local government institutions.
The range and nature of consultation that has been carried out is outlined in Section 5 of
the EIA report. As explained in the discussion of project alternatives, the selection of the
dam axis location was greatly influenced by the need to reduce the number of people
who would be displaced. Of particular concern was to address the wishes of local people
to avoid flooding out the settlement of Seo and also a historically important mosque in
Seo. This has been achieved by changes in the configuration of the design of the project
for no loss in installed power generation capacity.
S.6 Baseline Environmental Conditions
From the perspective of EIA the baseline conditions for the Dasu project are not straight
forward. The design of the Dasu Hydropower Project is based on the condition that the
dam at Diamer Basha is constructed before that at Dasu. This creates the situation
where the present environmental conditions in the Dasu project area will be significantly
modified by the construction of the dam at Diamer Basha. The environmental impacts of
the construction and operation of the dam at Diamer Basha have already been studied
and an EIA report has been produced. The Diamer Basha EIA work identifies key
adverse impacts and gives appropriate mitigation measures. The environmental
conditions during the operational stage of the Diamer Basha dam will be the baseline
conditions for the Dasu project.
The baseline environmental conditions in the Dasu project area are given in detail in the
EIA Technical Memos, covering terrestrial and aquatic ecology, socio-economics and the
issue of the petroglyphs. A summary of the environmental conditions is given in Section
6.1 of the EIA report. The key environmental issues that act as constraints to the design
and operation of the Dasu Hydropower Project have been identified and are outlined in
Section 6.2 of the EIA report and are summarised below:
- Modifications in river flow as a result of changes in snow and glacier melt in the
upstream catchment (including those caused by climate change) have impact on
Dasu project. It must be remembered that temperature is the key parameter in
determining river flow, rather than rainfall. The operation of Diamer Basha
reservoir is critical to the design of Dasu as Dasu has very little storage and is
designed to operate on a daily cycle to generate electricity.
- The present sediment inflows at Dasu will be dramatically reduced when the
Diamer Basha dam is completed. The remaining source of sediment flow into the
Dasu reservoir will then be the side streams directly flowing into it, which currently
are a very small proportion of the total sediment load. The design of Dasu dam
has taken into consideration the possibility that after 40 years sediment flushing
S-3
may be undertaken at Diamer Basha on annual basis. In such a situation flushing

of the sediments would be necessary for the Dasu dam.
- The Dasu dam site is in an area of high seismic risk and the dam has been
designed following the international requirements for such situations. Associated
with this existing environmental risk from landslides, particularly any that would
fall directly into the reservoir has been considered in the feasibility study.
- There is a pre-requisite to have a stable administration and security situation in
the project area.
- The road access in the area, including the need to realign and upgrade the KKH
is a constraint to the construction of both Diamer Basha and Dasu dams. A
program for upgrading the KKH for Diamer Basha is already underway, taking
into consideration the need for adequate clearances (vertical as well as width),
radius of bends, gradient and weight loading. A similar exercise will be needed
for the parts of the KKH that remain below 957masl within the proposed Dasu
reservoir area.
- As part of the public consultation work for the EIA the existing needs of local
people have been considered, irrespective of the mitigation measures that may
be required for any predicted adverse impacts that may be caused by
construction and operation of the proposed dam at Dasu. These include provision
of basic services such as safe water supply, sanitation, health care (including
improved nutrition for women) and education, along with electricity and road
access. Another key issue is the very low level of household cash incomes in the
area and the need to provide appropriate opportunities to address this.
S.7 Impact Identification, Quantification and Valuation
The EIA process has identified the main positive and adverse impacts that will be
created by the construction of the Dasu Hydropower Project. The identified impacts are
outlined in Section 7 of the EIA report, with the adverse impacts discussed by the time at
which they are likely to occur related to the project implementation program.
The main positive impacts are the generation capacity of 4,320MW of hydropower in an
environmentally sound and sustainable manner without the consumptive use of the
waters of the Indus river. This is the least environmentally damaging option for power
generation in the country, the alternatives being fossil fuel burning or nuclear power.
The main adverse impacts centre on the need to permanently acquire 2,600ha of land in
the dam site and reservoir area. These are listed in Table 7.1 of the EIA Report and
include the following:
- An estimated 3,670 people in 417 households will have their houses flooded.
Fortunately the economic livelihoods of nearly all of these are currently
dependent upon using resources that lie outside the proposed reservoir area. In
addition 34ha (84 acres) of cultivated land, 21ha (51acres) of grazing land,
20,000 trees, 15 mosques, three graveyards, three schools and one hospital,
along with existing water supply, sanitation, electric power and telephone
services will be lost. Thirty commercial businesses will also have their premises
flooded, including shops, hotels, restaurants and timber stores.
- An estimated 46 km of the KKH lie below the 957masl limit of land acquisition, out
of a total length of 75 km passing from the Dasu Dam site to the Diamer Basha
dam site. The existing road network on the right bank of the reservoir will also be
adversely impacted and the links to the left bank and the KKH will be cut.
These losses have been quantified and where possible valued, using equivalent
replacement costs. These are given in Table 7.3 in the EIA report. The total resettlement
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and environmental costs have been estimated as Rs.11 billion (US$ 163.4 million).
These costs are about 3% of the total estimated project cost. The percentage is relatively
low for a large scale hydropower project.
Direct construction impacts are also identified and discussed in Section 7 of the EIA
report, along with external and possible cumulative impacts and constraints. The need
for a basin wide strategic planning perspective has been identified, including a Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA), irrespective of the proposed Dasu project.
On the periphery of the Dasu reservoir, a cluster of 46 petroglyphs (rock carvings) of

international importance to Buddhists lie on the right bank of Indus River. Leveling
survey has been conducted in order to ascertain the level of the Petoglyphs and it has
been found that the Petroglyphs are located above elevation 960 m. since the full supply
level of the Dasu reservoir is 950 m, the Petroglyphs will not be inundated. Even during
flood routing through Dasu reservoir, the Petroglyphs will not be affected. Rather the
proposed reservoir will add to the beauty and grandeur of these Petroglyphs by providing
an environment with a beautiful water body adjacent and in a background of this location.
Consequently it will have a positive impact and encourage tourism.
S.8 Impact Mitigation, Remedial and Enhancement Measures
The underlying principle of impact mitigation is that adverse impacts should be avoided
where possible by changes in the proposed design, method of construction and project
operation. Where it is not possible to avoid adverse impacts then they should be
minimised and steps taken to ensure that, at the minimum, nobody will be worse off as a
result of the project. The basis of this is payment of cash compensation for lost
immovable assets and/or provision of equivalent replacements, including steps to ensure
that economic livelihoods are not reduced. For the project this includes the following
steps:
- The loss of houses for some 417 households comprising an estimated 3,670
people is to be compensated for by payment of cash and/or replacement
provision. The designs for new housing should be earthquake resistant. The
replacement will include water and sanitation facilities and electricity supply,
along with allowances for disturbance due to relocation and also a livelihood
allowance for three months.
- The loss of 34ha (84 acres) of agricultural land with any standing crops on it is to
be compensated for in cash and/or replacement land and also with an agricultural
enhancement program.
- The loss of 21ha (51 acres) of grazing land is to be compensated for in cash
along with the provision of a livestock enhancement program with a fodder
component.
- The loss of 20,000 trees is to be compensated for in cash along with a phased
targeted replanting program for 80,000 replacement fruit, fuel-wood and fodder
trees.
- The loss of existing commercial activities, including timber stores, shops, hotels
and restaurants, is to be compensated for in cash and also a relocation program.
- The loss of public and communal infrastructure, including mosques, graveyards,
schools and a hospital along with electricity and telephone lines, bridges and
roads is to be compensated for by provision of appropriate replacements.
- The KKH will be realigned to higher level as required.
In addition to satisfying the requirement to provide minimum replacement assets to those

lost, the following key enhancement programs are proposed:
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- Provision of safe domestic water supply, sanitation facilities and electricity

supplies for all households in the area.
- Provision of adequate health facilities, including a public health education
program.
- Provision of adequate education facilities (specifically more and better quality
staff for primary schools and construction of more residential hostels for
secondary schools), including adult education and vocational training.
- Enhancement of the road transport system to include an interconnecting network
to the right bank (see Appendix E for specific details).
- Economic livelihood promotion programs (with women as specific targets) having
components to address the following issues:
- Tree planting, specifically seedling nurseries for fruit, fuel-wood and fodder trees.
- Horticulture demonstration farms and a potato promotion program.
- Livestock development program, particularly for poultry.
- Fisheries development, both immediately downstream of the dam and also in the
reservoir.
- Wood production and craft industry using local materials.
- Micro credit provision and also money management advice aimed specifically for
households receiving cash compensation.
- Development program for promoting the tourist and recreational potential of the
reservoir and the surrounding area.
Details of the proposed measures are given in Section 8 of the EIA report, split by the
timing of provision in relation to project activities. The quantities and costs of these
mitigation, remedial and enhancement measures are given in Table 7.3 of the EIA
Report. In addition environmental monitoring and management requirements for direct
construction impacts are also outlined.
S.9 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan
The outline for an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) for the
project is given in Section 9 of the EIA report. The main objectives of the EMMP are to:
- Provide a summary of project impacts, along with the proposed mitigation and
enhancement measures and draw up an appropriate implementation schedule to
address these using a Mitigation Management Matrix (MMM). A preliminary MMM
is given as Table 9.1 of the EIA Report.
- Define the roles and responsibilities for environmental management for the
project stakeholders, including the Project Proponent (WAPDA), Contractor,
Supervisory Consultants and other key players.
- Identify the training requirements needed for the key players in order for them to
effectively implement the EMMP.
- Provide a mechanism, in the form of an environmental monitoring program, which
outlines the key parameters (for both the natural and social environment) that will
need to be monitored and the frequency that this shall be carried out. The
objective is to ensure that the mitigation measures are being effective in keeping
environmental conditions within the prescribed limits and if they are not, then to
make sure that there is an effective response mechanism in place that allows
corrective action to be implemented.
The EMMP will identify what requires to be carried out by whom and when and also
outline the resources and cost requirements for its implementation, along with the
institutional arrangements needed to achieve this.
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The full EMMP will only be drawn up once a decision is taken to go ahead with the
project. The first step will be to draw up a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) following a
detailed inventory of lost assets. The EMMP will also include a Reservoir Management
Plan, a key part of which will be the need, or not, to clear vegetation in the flooded area
prior to its impounding, along with the need for any upstream catchment management
activities. An environmental risk analysis will also be carried out and a Site Restoration
Plan will also be drawn up at an appropriate time. The nature of the Environmental
Performance Audit will also be outlined, along with the system for document handling.
The implementation schedule for the project is yet to be fixed, however an outline
program has been drawn up (see Table 3.3 of the EIA Report) which gives the sequence
of events and the time that this will take from a fixed starting point.
S.10 Conclusions
The EIA work for the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project has followed the requirements
for the Pakistan EPA that classify it as a Schedule A Project, being a large dam that
causes involuntary resettlement. The proposed project would also be both a World Bank
and ADB Category A project requiring a full EIA. The Dasu project is not a consumptive
user of water, being designed for run of river operation with no abstraction. However the
operation would be influenced by the needs for hydropower generation and downstream
water requirements at Tarbela dam and also the operation of the proposed Diamer
Basha dam upstream. The Indus is a trans-boundary river and the legal arrangements
for management and development of its resources are covered by the Indus Water
Treaty of 1960 with India and within Pakistan by the Water Accord of 1991. The
procedures for cross border agreement are already in place and would be followed for
construction of the proposed dam at Diamer Basha before the Dasu project was started.
There are no environmentally sensitive or protected areas impacted by the Dasu project
and there are also no threatened species in the area. There are 46 petroglyphs
(Buddhist rock carvings) of international importance on the periphery of the Dasu
reservoir. These have been studied and a report has been produced (see Appendix F).
The Petroglyphs are located above the reservoir impounding level and will not be
inundated.
The people living in the impacted area are tribal, like most of those in the wider area. By
following the legally required procedures for land acquisition, compensation and
resettlement along with enhancement measures, they should not be unfairly
discriminated against.
The main overall conclusion of the environmental assessment of the proposed Dasu
Hydropower Project is that, for a dam located at Axis 5 with a crest level of 957masl,
there are no significant adverse environmental impacts that can not be adequately
managed by implementing the appropriate mitigation measures that have been identified
and incorporated into the outline environmental management plan for the project. The
predicted adverse impacts of construction of the project, whilst not insignificant, can be
adequately addressed to ensure that no one is worse off as a result of the project,
provided that the project is well managed and adequately resourced in a timely manner.
With a well managed project there should be no residual adverse impacts and with care
it should be possible to achieve significant enhancements for the impacted communities.
The project will have an installed generating capacity 4,320MW to produce electricity in
an environmentally sound and sustainable manner reducing the need to burn non
renewable fossil fuels that cause greenhouse emissions. This will also reduce the need
to import fuels, the price of which can only increase as they become depleted.
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The main environmental risks to the proposed project are the consequences of seismic
activity, both on the integrity of the dam and also landslides that could be triggered into
the reservoir or the catchment area downstream of the proposed Diamer Basha dam.
The Dasu dam has been designed to the appropriate international standards to cope
with such events. The consequences of a serious seismic event have been considered in
the design. The consequences of the occurrence of glacial outflows and landslides
upstream of the Diamer Basha dam site have been studied and taken into consideration
in the design of the Diamer Basha dam. The initial increase in total river flows as ice
stored in the upper catchment melts at a faster rate due to climate change will be a
benefit to hydropower generation on the Indus river. However these initial increased
flows are likely to fall once the amount of ice and snow storage volume in the upper
catchment decreases, again due to climate change. There is little firm data on these
trends at the moment and there is a need to monitor the situation closely. The
sedimentation rate into Diamer Basha reservoir is predicted to start causing significant
loss of live storage some 40 years after first filling.
If well managed, then the Dasu dam hydropower project is environmentally beneficial,
especially when compared to the possible alternatives for power generation and the do
nothing situation. Well planned and implemented hydropower is a renewable energy
source and has no adverse environmental emissions. The proposed Dasu Hydropower
Project has highly significant environmental advantages over fossil fuel burning power
stations and nuclear power generation. The delay in implementing hydropower projects
in Pakistan has already led to severe power shortages and the need to resort to a fast
track program of fossil fuel powered generation facilities that rely on expensive imported
fuels or coal. Such facilities use non renewable energy sources that emit greenhouse
gases. Nuclear power generation is environmentally highly problematic due to risk levels
and the current inability to solve the waste management problem in an environmentally
sustainable manner. The real costs of nuclear power generation, when all the costs are
included, are very high.
The proposed configuration and design of the Dasu Hydropower Project is developed
with the condition that the dam at Diamer Basha is constructed first and provides the
managed flows for run of river hydropower generation at Dasu. In order to gain the
environmental advantages of Dasu, the implementation of Diamer Basha project needs
to be closely monitored so that lessons can be learnt from it and incorporated into the
design and implementation program for Dasu. This includes all environmental aspects in
the widest possible sense.
S.11 Recommendations
As there are no significant predicted adverse environmental impacts that can not be
adequately mitigated and the alternative possibilities for major power generation are
more environmentally problematic, the Dasu Hydropower project should be implemented
as planned with a dam located at Axis 5 and a crest level of 957masl with full reservoir
level of 950masl. However as the implementation of the Dasu project will succeed that of
the dam at Diamer Basha, it is strongly recommended that the Basha project be closely
monitored so that any issues that may arise can be identified and the implications, if any,
for the Dasu project can be considered.
It would be wise at this stage to consider carrying out an independent strategic

environmental assessment of all of the proposed water related developments within the
main Indus river system to ensure that the cumulative impacts of all the proposed
interventions are considered in an integrated manner. Such a strategic environmental
assessment would need to be carried out within the framework of a wider integrated
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catchment management planning process and also consider cross sector resource use,
particularly power generation and irrigated agriculture.
The recommended steps that are required to plan and implement the Dasu project in an
environmentally sound and sustainable manner are indicated below and are the basis of
the proposed environmental management plan for the project.
S.12 Future Environmental Management Program
An outline Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan has been developed that will
provide an action plan, along with the roles and responsibilities for all the players in the
implementation process. This includes budget allocations and the resources required to
mitigate adverse environmental impacts, to provide targeted environmental
enhancements for impacted communities and also to establish and manage an
appropriate environmental monitoring plan to ensure compliance with the current
regulatory framework. The plan identifies which actions need to be carried out in what
sequence based upon the proposed construction program and the relevant legal
requirements, particularly for land acquisition.
The key steps are:
- Further develop and continue the public information and consultation program for
the project, including that with other government departments, particularly the
EPA.
- Continue the regular baseline monitoring at Dasu and the immediate upstream
area for water flow, water quality and noise.
- Ensure that the responsible institution within WAPDA regularly monitors the
extent and depth of snow and ice in the upper catchment so that seasonal
patterns can be identified and also trends over the long term period can be seen.
- Monitor the progress of the Diamer Basha project, including the rebuilding of the
KKH and the power transmission arrangements.
- Once a decision is taken that the government wishes to go ahead with the Dasu
project then an updated environmental assessment should produced and
submitted to the EPA for review with a request for the granting of a no objection
certificate.
- Once a firm decision is taken to go ahead with the Dasu project then the 957m
contour should be physically demarcated in the field and a cut off date should be
agreed after which no new immovable assets should be constructed in the area.
- A detailed enumeration of lost assets should be carried out and a Resettlement
Action Plan (RAP) prepared.
- Individual new house locations should be identified in a collaborative process with
the households who will lose their homes.
- Compensate and ensure that equivalent and adequate replacement housing is in
place before the land is required for construction. This may be in a phased
program depending upon the construction program.
- Monitor the livelihoods of the people in the area and take any corrective action
that may be required to ensure that they will not be worse off as a result of the
project.
More details have been given in Section 9 of the EIA report.
The key environmental studies that will need to be carried out at later stages are:
- Updating of the EIA at the Detail Design Stage.
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- Submission of the EIA to the EPA for gaining the necessary environmental
clearance.
- Preparation of the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Action Plan (LARAP).
- EIA of the proposed Transmission Line.
- EIA of the proposed Grid Station.
- EIA of the rebuilt KKH, including land acquisition, relocation and rehabilitation.
- Full Feasibility Study for the reconstruction of communication bridges across the
Indus River in the proposed Dasu reservoir area. An initial study has already
been carried out and the results are given in Appendix E.
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Dasu Hydropower Project (DHP) is proposed run of the river power project on Indus
River. Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is the proponent of the Project
on behalf of Government of Pakistan. This project forms the part of WAPDA’s vision-
2025 program. The aim of vision 2025 is to improve hydropower generation capacity,
the revival of the country’s economy and above all meet the future needs of Indus Basin
Irrigation System.
The DHP is proposed to be located on Indus River, about 8 km upstream of Dasu Bridge
near Dasu town, in Kohistan District of NWFP, Pakistan. Geographically it is located at
E3215359.95, N1238016.47; which is 73.6 Km down stream of Diamer-Basha Dam
Project measured along the river (Figures 1.1 to 1.3). The Dasu damsite is a
mountainous region. The Project site is accessible from Islamabad by GT Road and
Kara Kurram Highway (KKH) via Abbotabad- Mansehra-Besham-Pattan- Dasu. There is
no rail link or airport to Dasu. River transport does not exist. The Project area is
classified as high risk zone for earthquake.
MONENCO carried out Inventory and Ranking Study- 1984 for WAPDA. DHP was
identified as run of the river power project on Indus River 79 km down stream of
proposed Basha Dam Project (renamed as Diamer Basha Dam Project). A 235m high
concrete faced embankment dam having ability to produce 2700 MW power was
envisaged, few kilometers up stream of Dasu Town. The Dasu Hydropower Project
Consultant – A Joint Venture, was awarded contract to advance the conceptual proposal
by MONENCO to a full feasibility report.
1.2 Structure of Report
The feasibility report of DHP consists of 13 volumes. This is 9th volume of feasibility
report and covers the environmental and resettlement studies: including environmental
laws and guidelines, baseline conditions of the project area, alternatives considered,
environmental impacts, terrestrial ecology, aquatic ecology, mitigations actions required,
socioeconomic issues, compensation required for the affected assets and resettlement
issues of voluntary and involuntary resettlement.
This volume shall form Environment Impact Assessment and Resettlement report and
has been prepared to be stand alone document as far as possible and provide in depth
information on environmental issues of the project. Effort has been made to prepare the
report to meet the requirements of (a) Environmental Protection Agency in Pakistan, (b)
the rule of Asian Development Bank and that of (c) World Bank. Some of the information
used in preparing the EIA report is also from other volumes of the report and a number of
studies made by other consultants as well.
For the purpose of environmental study the DHP area has been defined as the area
delimited by Dasu dam axis till Diamer Basha Dam axis in the north and contour El 957
m. Further downstream area bounded by the dam axis up to 1km at contour El 850m.
1.3 Project Classification for Level of Environmental Studies
The DHP is classified as ‘large dam’ by Environment Protection Agency (EPA) of

Pakistan guidelines and is classified category ‘A’ project by ADB & WB project
classification (Table 1.1). As per guidelines of EPA procedures a large dam must have
an in depth study of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and identify the
1-1
mitigation actions which should be included in planning and design of the project.
Similarly ADB’s category A project must have an EIA done for it. This report has been
prepared in light of EPA laws of Pakistan, ADB and WB rules. These laws and rules
require studying effects of the project on environment, socioeconomic conditions, cultural
heritage, current use of land , people living in the area, ecology of the area (animals,
birds, fauna & flora, agriculture , trees); houses, buildings and infrastructures such as
bridges, roads, mosques, school and hospital etc. The identification and quantification of
impact is required. When quantification can not be given then qualitative description of
the impacts is stated.
Table 1.1 Project Classification for EIA Studies

Classification of
No Authority Criteria Remarks
DHP
Environment Dam storage 50MM or Schedule A
2 Schedule A category;
Protection Lake area 8Km Projects: Large
1 IEE-EIA
Agency Or hydropower Dam. EIA
Regulation2000
Pakistan. Capacity 50MW Necessary
Category A: Significant
Asian Environment
adverse Impacts. Class A. EIA
2 Development assessment guidelines
Category B: Limited necessary
Bank (ADB) section V; OM20
adverse impacts
Category A: diverse
and significant
World Bank Class A Project
3 environmental impact. OD 4.00
(WB) EIA is required.
Category B: Have
limited specific impacts
1.4 Impact Identification Tools
This report provides details of impacts based on satellite imagery of 10th October 2005
interpretation using GIS software including field checks and updates. The resolution of
satellite imagery was 0.6 meters. The time lapse between imagery date and the report
date is about two years. Field checks have revealed small changes in physical
infrastructure. New houses or buildings have been marked and counted. However the
assessed quantities for trees have been increased by 5 ~10 % , where trees are young
and less than 0.6m spread can not be seen, to arrive at final quantities to allow for any
left over or unaccounted for item.
During the field visits the study teams photographed various objects of relevant interest
and used them in support of text in the feasibility report. The subject of these
photographs was the description of environments (baseline state), Terrestrial Ecology,
Aquatic Ecology, scoping sessions, social & cultural aspect, petroglyphs and information
of general interest. Some pictures have date and time printed while other do not have
this detail; for simple reason that different cameras were used.
1.5 Project Disclosure with Stakeholders
EPA guide line stress the need to discuss the project with stake holders. The stake
holders are: officials of NWFP ( in present case these are District Nazim, District
Coordination Officer (DCO), Superintendent of Police (SP), District Forest officer (DFO),
Executive Engineer Works & Services, District Agricultural officer, District Health Officer
and Wildlife Officer), Political leaders, community leaders, bankers, teachers and people
who will be directly affected by the project. Structured interviews were made during the
feasibility study and analysis presented. The direct affectees of the Project shall be
people who reside in the project area, and organizations such as Special
Telecommunication Organization, PTDC motel, offices of Frontier Works Organization
and police check post buildings. Religious mosques shall be affected.
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Project disclosure was also made to experts in consulting firms and NGOs. Project
disclosure was made to religious leaders in Project area.
1.6 Resettlement Aspects
The resettlement of the affectees has been dealt to the level necessary in the feasibility
stage. The resettlement locations have been identified. These locations shall be
developed to provide all necessary facilities such as drinking water, schools, drainage,
mosques, market, access roads, electricity, telephone, development of agricultural land.
Voluntary and involuntary resettlement are foreseen in the project.
1.7 Socio Economic Survey
The Project’s social survey was conducted under restrictions imposed by the local
District Management. These restrictions did not allow the interviewing of women even
through lady enumerators. Therefore only male enumerators interviewed male residents
using structured questionnaire.
1.8 Scope of Services
The TOR defines the scope of the services. This has been elaborated in Inception
Report and it’s up gradation as a result of comments from the WAPDA’s General
Consultants and other organs of the WAPDA. The selection of dam axis, description of
the project, baseline studies from secondary and primary data, fauna & flora, aquatic
ecology, social survey establishing social baseline, identification of impacts and its
quantification, mitigation action and its cost, resettlement matters, environmental
monitoring plan and recommendations has been presented.
1.9 Approach Adopted for EIA Studies
The full supply level (FSL) of the dam has been fixed by project planners as EL 950 m
which shall provide the head necessary to run the turbines for producing designed
electrical power. The flood surcharge head (5m) plus waves height (2m) add to 7 m to
FSL. Thus dam crest level shall be 957m. Easement of 3 m has been adopted in
relocation of KKH. The impacts have been estimated at level 957m.
The impacts were studied using satellite imagery and ground truthing.
The water quality was based on water sampling in Project area by WAPDA arranged
laboratory (SUPARCO) for physical and chemical properties.
The tree count has been done using following methods:
Tree count from imagery showing all vegetation in red color due to infra-red
photography. Each tree is identified, differentiated from shrub and marked with a dot
which is counted sheet by sheet on imagery and then summed up to find total.
Tree counting by determining the area of cluster of threes on imagery. Sampling in the
field where clusters were found in reservoir area and physical count in 100ft×100ft areas.
The noise level was measured at site by using noise level measurements and averaging
them out. This aspect was arranged by WAPDA using reputable laboratory resource
(SUPARCO). Data provided by WAPDA was incorporated.
The air quality was measured at site by WAPDA’s arrangement using reputable
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laboratory resource (SUPARCO). Data provided by WAPDA was incorporated.
The suspension bridges by physical count and satellite imagery. The covered area of
buildings and numbers involved by satellite imagery. The PTDC motel from satellite
imagery and cost estimate by PTDC, which was reviewed by Consultants and
incorporated in estimate.
KKH by SOP contoured maps, satellite imagery and data from KKH studies for
relocation. Telephone line and power lines from satellite imagery and ground truthing.
Agriculture land by satellite imagery. Agriculture output rate and unit price of sale by
discussions with Agriculture Department and Forest Department at Dasu. The cost of
trees as fire wood was estimated on guideline provided by Forest Department.
The petroglyphs by levelling survey, counting boulders at site and preparing photographs
and by reporting to WAPDA for onward report to Archaeology Department Government
of Pakistan, Islamabad.
The cost of construction from Works Department NWFP Dasu office for government
buildings.
The cost of land has been established by multiple discussions with Revenue department
Dasu, Zari Tarakiati Bank Dasu, Social survey, and discussion with senior Government
officials. The cost reflects market rates in 2nd half of 2007.
1.10 Makeup of EIA & Resettlement Report
The report consists of the following two parts in separate bindings.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Resettlement Aspects

Section 1 Introduction
Section 2 Regulatory Laws and the Institutional Framework for Environmental
Assessment
Section 3 Project Description
Section 4 Project Alternatives
Section 5 Project Scoping and Public Consultation
Section 6 Existing Environmental Baseline Situation, Constraints and Needs
Section 7 Impact Identification, Quantification and Categorization
Section 8 Impact Mitigation and Remedial Measures
Section 9 Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan
Section 10 Conclusions, Recommendations and Future Environmental Management
Work Program
Annex –1 Photographic plates
Annex –2 Contacts and Liaison
Annex –3 Correspondence Relating to Dam Axis 2 and Seo Village
Appendices to Environmental Impact Assessment and Resettlement Aspects

Appendix–A Socio – Economic Environment Report
Appendix–B Project Impacts, Resettlement and Mitigation Measures
Appendix–C Aquatic Ecology
Appendix–D Terrestrial Ecology
Appendix–E Rehabilitation of River Crossings in the Project Area
Appendix–F Petroglyphs in the Project Area
Appendix–G SUPARCO Water, Air and Noise Quality Data
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2. REGULATORY LAWS AND THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
2.1 Introduction
This section presents a synopsis of current national and international legislation, policies
and guidelines which will have a bearing and relevance to the planning, design,
implementation and operation of the Dasu Hydropower Project. The requirements of
national and international policies, legislation and guiding principals have been
considered whilst preparing this Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and
Resettlement Report. The existing government institutional arrangements for
environmental management, including EIA, are described to enable an understanding of
how the implementation mechanism of the various laws operates. The identification of
the project proponent, along with its legal responsibilities and powers (remit) with regard
to EIA are also described, specifically in the context of the requirements for environment
protection and resettlement of people affected by the project. It should be noted that
items within the regulatory framework (policy, laws, guidelines etc) are amended from
time to time in the light of experience gained both locally and worldwide. It is important
that the latest versions of regulatory instruments are followed at the time of Dasu project
construction.
2.2 The Legal and Regulatory Framework for EIA in Pakistan
2.2.1 Policy Framework
The main Federal Government policy documents that are directly applicable to the
proposed project are the National Conservation Strategy, the Resettlement Policy and
the Pakistan Power Policy of 2002. The Ministry of Environment is responsible at the
Federal level for policy, planning and implementation in respect of environmental
aspects in Pakistan. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) headed by
the Chief Executive of Pakistan is the highest inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholders
decision making body for such matters.
The Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (NCS)
The strategies themselves are essentially capacity building initiatives. The Pakistan
National Conservation Strategy (NCS) is the principal policy document for environmental
issues in the country and was developed and approved by the Government of Pakistan
on March 1, 1992. The NCS works on a ten-year planning and implementation cycle.
The NCS deals with 14 core areas which are;
i. maintaining soils in cropland;

ii. increasing irrigation efficiency;
iii. protecting watersheds;
iv. supporting forestry and plantations;
v. restoring rangelands and improving livestock;
vi. protecting water bodies and sustaining fisheries;
vii. conserving biodiversity;
viii. increasing energy efficiency;
ix. developing and deploying material for renewable energy;
x. preventing/abating pollution;
xi. managing urban wastes;
xii. supporting institutions for common resources;
xiii. integrating population and environmental programmes; and
xiv. preserving the cultural heritage.
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Based on the NCS, policies are being framed for institutional strengthening and human
resource development for environmental protection, especially at the local and provincial
level. The NCS is a policy document that deals with the core environmental issues in
Pakistan at the macro level and recommends an action plan to address these issues.
Project specific mitigation prescriptions cannot be expected in the NCS document, rather
the principles of environment protection, conservation and management provided in the
NCS document have to be used as guidelines during the planning and execution of
projects.
As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, it was also necessary

for Pakistan to develop a national strategy for the conservation of biodiversity. The
Government of Pakistan constituted a Biodiversity Working Group, under the auspices of
the Ministry of Environment, to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for the country,
which was completed after an extensive consultative process. The plan, which has been
designed to complement the NCS and the proposed provincial conservation strategies,
identifies the causes of biodiversity loss in Pakistan and suggests a series of proposals
for action to conserve biodiversity in the country. The Pakistan Environmental Protection
Council (PEPC) has approved the action plan and steering committees have been
formed at both Federal and Provincial levels to implement it.
The BAP recognizes that at project level Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is
used as a tool to identify environmental impacts of a proposed project and suggests
ways for reducing adverse impacts. The BAP further stipulates that an EIA should be
initiated at an early stage in the project development cycle and that public participation in
the review of potential effects is important. The EIA of the Dasu Hydropower Project
fulfils the requirement of the BAP.
Resettlement Policy in Pakistan
An important aspect of EIA is consideration of the displacement and relocation of the

project affected population. A new resettlement policy has yet to be approved by
Government but amendments to the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 have been made from
time to time. It is currently in a draft form with the Pakistan Environmental Protection
Agency. The policy has been formulated to ensure an equitable and uniform treatment of
resettlement issues throughout Pakistan. This policy will apply to all development
projects involving adverse social impacts, including land acquisition, loss of assets, loss
of income, loss of business and other possible losses. The draft Resettlement Policy
addresses those areas which are not taken care of in the Land Acquisition Act of 1894
(LAA) and will be applicable wherever any public sector or private development project
affects people, families or communities, even when there is no displacement of
population.
The legal procedures for land acquisition have the objective of providing adequate
compensation for the loss of income to those who suffer loss of communal property,
including common assets, productive assets, structures, other fixed assets, income and
employment, loss of community networks and services, pastures, water rights, public
infrastructure like mosques, shrines, schools, graveyards and any consequential losses.
The Pakistan Power Generation Policy 2002
The Power Generation Policy of the Government of Pakistan (GOP) aims to reform the
power sector through restructuring and deregulation. The aim is to help the country to
meet its future power needs. WAPDA and Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) are
the two main producers and distributors of electricity in Pakistan. KESC has already
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been privatised whilst WAPDA is still a public organisation. WAPDA owns 54% of
national electricity generation and distribution and serves about 88% of the electrical
customers in Pakistan. WAPDA has prepared a “Hydropower Development Plan- Vision
2025” to meet the deficit of electricity through proposed provision of additional
generation capacity. The objectives of the power policy are to:
a) Provide sufficient capacity of power generation at the least cost, and to avoid
capacity shortfall.
b) To encourage and ensure exploitation of indigenous resources, human
resources, participation of local engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
c) To ensure all stakeholders are looked after in the process.
d) To safeguard the environment. The requirements of the PEPA of 1997 relating to
environmental protection, environmental impact and social soundness
assessment shall have to be met.
2.2.2 Federal Statutory Framework for Environmental Management and

Assessment
The key items of the existing regulatory framework at the Federal level that have
implications for the proposed project are identified and discussed below. These include
Ordinances, Acts, Laws, Regulations, Rules and Guidelines.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance 1983
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Ordinance, 1983 (PEPO 1983) was the first
legislation designed specifically for the protection of the environment in the country. The
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1984. This is the primary
government institution dealing with environmental issues. Significant work on developing
environmental policy was carried out by the late 1980s, which culminated in drafting of
the Pakistan National Conservation Strategy. Provincial Environmental Protection
Agencies were also established at about the same time. The National Environmental
Quality Standards were established in 1993 and then revised in 2000. The enactment of
the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) No.XXXIV of 1997 conferred broad-
based enforcement powers to the Environmental Protection Agencies. The publication of
the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Review of IEE and EIA Regulations (IEE-
EIA Regulations) dated 2000 provided the necessary details on the preparation,
submission, and review of Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) and Environmental
Impact Assessments (EIA).
In addition to the PEPA of 1997, Pakistan’s statute books contain a number of other laws
that have clauses concerning the regulation and protection of the environment. A
summary of laws and regulations relevant to the proposed Dasu project in the context of
environmental assessment and management of the project are given in Table 2.1.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) No. XXXIV of 1997
This comprehensive piece of legislation has evolved over time to provide the legal
framework for the preparation and implementation of national environmental policies. It
is entitled “The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (PEPA 1997)”. The PEPA
was enacted in 1997, repealing the PEPO of 1983. The PEPA 1997 provides the
framework for implementation of the National Conservation Strategy, including the
protection and conservation of species, wildlife, habitats and biodiversity, along with the
conservation of renewable resources. The PEPA also establishes the standards for the
quality of the ambient air, water and land, along with the establishment of Environmental
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Tribunals and appointment of Environmental Magistrates. The need and nature of Initial
Environmental Examinations (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are
given along with the need for promotion of public education and awareness of
environmental issues through the mass media.
The PEPA of 1997 is the basic legislative tool empowering the government to frame
regulations for the protection of the environment. This Enabling Act is applicable to a
broad range of issues and extends to air, water, soil, marine, and noise pollution, as well
as to the handling of hazardous wastes. Penalties have been prescribed for those
contravening the provisions of the Act.
The key features of the Act that have a direct bearing on the Dasu Hydropower Project
are the following:
Section 11(1) states that “Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules and
regulations made there under, no person shall discharge or emit, or allow the discharge
or emission of, any effluent or waste or air pollutant or noise in an amount, concentration
or level which is in excess of the National Environmental Quality Standards.” The
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), the body mainly responsible for
enforcing the PEPA of 1997, has published National Environmental Quality Standards
(NEQS) that will be applicable to the Dasu project. These are given in Tables 2.2 to 2.4.
Section 12(1) requires that “No proponent of a project shall commence construction or
operation unless he has filed with the Federal Agency an Initial Environmental
Examination [IEE] or, where the project is likely to cause an adverse environmental
effect, then an Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA], and has obtained from the
Federal Agency approval in respect thereof.”
Section 12(2)(b) The Federal Agency shall review the Environmental Impact
Assessment report and accord its approval subject to such conditions as it may deem fit
to impose, or require that the Environmental Impact Assessment be re-submitted after
such modifications as may be stipulated, or reject the project as being contrary to
environmental objectives. For the Dasu project, it is required, according to the
regulations, that an EIA report be submitted to the Pak-EPA, and approval obtained
before undertaking construction.
Section 14 requires that “Subject to the provisions of this Act, no person shall generate,
collect, consign, transport, treat, dispose of, store, handle, or import any hazardous
substance except (a) under a license issued by the Federal Agency and in such manner
as may be prescribed; or (b) in accordance with the provisions of any other law for the
time being in force, or of any international treaty, convention, protocol, code, standard,
agreement, or other instrument to which Pakistan is a party.” Enforcement of this clause
requires the Pakistan EPA to issue regulations regarding licensing procedures and to
define ‘hazardous substance.’
The Project Implementation and Resettlement Ordinance of 2001
The Government has proclaimed an ordinance entitled "Project Implementation and

Resettlement of the Affected Persons Ordinance 2001", later referred to as the
“Resettlement Ordinance". This ordinance will be used to safeguard the interests of
persons/groups having to be involuntarily resettled due to land acquisition caused by a
proposed project. This Ordinance establishes that the resettlement of the involuntarily
displaced persons is done as a matter of right and not by way of charity or any such
sentiment. In addition the Affected Persons (APs) shall be accepted as special groups
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who in the supreme interest of the country have accepted/undergone involuntary

displacement. The proposed Ordinance shall be supplementary to the Land Acquisition
Act of 1894, as well as other Laws of Pakistan, and wherever items included in the Draft
Resettlement Policy.
The Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Including Later Amendments)
The Land Acquisition Act of 1894 sets out the rules and procedures for acquiring land
and immovable assets needed for development. The Act sets out the methodology for
compensating owners of affected land and assets. The Act comprises 55 Sections
dealing with area notifications, surveys, acquisition, compensation, apportionment
awards, dispute resolution, penalties and exemptions. However, it does not cover the
aspect of resettlement of the affected population. In this respect, the GOP is in the
process of formulating appropriate laws and policies with the assistance of the ADB.
However, WAPDA has practised a resettlement policy similar to that of international
funding agencies and has already been applying these for their mega projects, for
example the raising of Mangla Dam.
It should be noted that there have been frequent revisions to the Land Acquisition Act
and that the latest revisions will apply. This is particularly important for the Dasu
Hydropower Project as the proposed commencement of construction of the project is
planned to be after the construction of the Diamer Basha dam is completed.
The Antiquities Act of 1975
The Antiquities Act of 1975 ensures the protection of cultural resources in Pakistan. The
act is designed to protect defined “antiquities” from destruction, theft, negligence,
unlawful excavation, trade and export. Antiquities have been defined in the Act as
ancient products of human activity, historical sites, or sites of anthropological or cultural
interest and national monuments. The law prohibits new construction in the proximity of
a protected antiquity and empowers the Government of Pakistan to prohibit excavation
in any area which may contain articles of archaeological significance. The guideline
procedure for Environment Assessment recommended by the Pakistan EPA reads as
follows:
“If the proponent or the consultant identifies an archaeological site that appears to be of
importance but the site is not listed they should discuss the site with the relevant
conservation authority”.
“The relevant conservation authority should inform the Responsible Authority of their
assessment of the significance of the likely impact of the proposed development early in
the process, in order for the Responsible Authority to determine the level of
documentation required. The EPA will then be in a position to review the level of
reporting required in the light of advice from the Archaeology Department”. The Federal
Department of Archaeology and Museum, Government of Pakistan is the sole custodian
of all articles of archaeological finds and historical heritage.
The Telegraphy Act, 1910
The Telegraphy Act of 1910 was promulgated for installation of telegraph poles and
stringing. The Act allows provision for installing poles and towers without the need to
acquire any land. However there is provision for temporary acquisition of land during the
construction period of such infrastructure. In such circumstances compensation is made
just for the loss of crop for a specific period of temporary occupation for construction.
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The WAPDA Act No. XXXI of 1958
The WAPDA Act No. XXXI of 1958 provides for the unified and coordinated development
of the water and power resources of West Pakistan. This Act authorizes WAPDA to
construct and operate electrical transmission lines, entrusting powers and obligations to
them as a licensee under the Telegraphy Act of 1910. The WAPDA Act also establishes
policy for land acquisition and compensation, as well as the degree of liability of WAPDA
for damages sustained by landowners and other parties.
The Electricity Act, No IX of 1910 with Electricity Rules of 1937
The Electricity Act of 1910 and Electricity Rules of 1937 relate to the supply and use of
electrical energy in Pakistan. This Act applies together with supplementary rules that
have been issued from time to time.
The Forest Act of 1927 and Later Amendments
The Forest Act of 1927 establishes the right of the Government to designate areas for
reserved forest, village forest and protected forest, and they may acquire such areas in
order to prohibit or restrict the public use of such resources or other activities within
them.
The Protection of Trees and Brushwood Act of 1949
The Protection of Trees and Brushwood Act of 1949 prohibits the cutting or lopping of
trees and brushwood without the permission of the Forest Department.
The Local Government Ordinance of 1979
Section 93 of the Local Government Ordinance of 1979 pertains to environmental

pollution. Under this Ordinance the local councils are authorised to restrict activities
causing pollution to air, water or land. They may also initiate schemes for improving the
environment.
Pakistan Penal Code 1860
The provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code of 1860 fix the penalties for violation of
statutory instruments in the country. These include pollution of air, water bodies and
land. The penal code 1860 provides for and deals with a wide spectrum of offences and
related punishments under the law.
2.2.3 Provincial Government Statutory Framework
NWFP Laws and Acts
The proposed Dasu dam and nearly all of the reservoir area is located in the NWFP
province. The following NWFP laws are likely to be relevant and have to be taken into
consideration.
Forest
- NWFP Forest Ordinance 2002

- NWFP Forestry Commission Act 1999
- NWFP Management of Protected Forests Rules 1975.
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- NWFP River Rules 1952.

- NWFP Protection of Trees and Bushwood Act 1949.
Fisheries
- NWFP Fisheries Rules 1976
Wildlife/Fauna/Non Timber Flora
- NWFP Wildlife (Protection, Preservation and Management) Act 1975.

- NWFP Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act
1975.
Protected Areas
- NWFP Wildlife (Protection, Preservation and Management Act 1975-National

Sanctuaries, Game Reserves, Private Game Reserves).
Freshwater
- NWFP River Protection Ordinance 2002.

- NWFP Local Government Ordinance 2001 (Clause 4.3.2.1)
2.3 Institutional Framework Relevant for EIA in Pakistan
The success of environmental assessment as a means of ensuring that development

projects are environmentally sound and sustainable depends in large measure on the
capability of regulatory institutions to operate in an effective manner to achieve the
objective. The institutional framework for decision making and policy formulation in
environmental and conservation issues are briefly described below.
2.3.1 Federal Government Institutions
Headed by a Federal Minister, the Ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural
Development is the main government organization responsible for the protection of
environment and resource conservation. The Ministry works with the Pakistan
Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) and the Federal and Provincial Environmental
Protection Agencies and was established under the provisions of the PEPA of 1997.
Two organizations, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) and the
Pakistan EPA, are primarily responsible for administering the provisions of the PEPA of
1997. The PEPC oversees the functioning of the Pakistan EPA.
The Federal Government has formed the PEPC. Its members include the President of
Pakistan (or someone appointed by the President), as the Chairperson; the Minister of
the Ministry of Environment as the Vice-Chairperson; Governors of the Provinces;
Ministers in charge of the subject of environment in the Provinces; the Secretary to the
Federal Government in charge of the Ministry of Environment, Local Government and
Rural Development; the Director General of the Federal EPA; Heads of Federal and
Provincial Environmental Protection Departments; environmentalists and community
representatives, including scientists. The functions and powers of the Council include
formulation of national environmental policy, enforcement of the PEPA of 1997, approval
of the NEQS, incorporation of environmental considerations into national development
plans and policies and to provide guidelines for the protection and conservation of
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biodiversity in general and also for the conservation of renewable and non-renewable
resources.
The Federal Government has also formed the Federal EPA, which is headed by a
Director General and has wide ranging functions given in the PEPA of 1997. These
include preparation and co-ordination of national environmental policy for approval by
PEPC, administering and implementing the PEPA of 1997 and preparation, revision or
establishment of NEQS.
The Federal EPA has overall jurisdictions over EIA/IEE issues. Federal jurisdiction is
applicable to the projects which are:
- On federal land;
- Military projects;
- Involving trans-national impacts; and
- Having trans-province impacts.
For all other cases, the concerned Provincial Responsible Authority shall have
jurisdiction over EIA and IEE issues. The Federal EPA reserves the rights to review any
Environmental Report at any time and to suspend the powers it has delegated to any
Responsible Authority if it believes those powers have not been properly used.
2.3.2 WAPDA
The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was created in 1959 to
undertake the task of investigating, planning and executing schemes for irrigation,
drainage, prevention of water logging and reclamation of saline land. It was established
as an autonomous body responsible for the integrated development of water and power
resources in Pakistan. The organization was also entrusted with the work of
implementing Indus Basin Settlement Plan signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 to
develop replacement works for management of river water and irrigation systems. Since
then it has been engaged in building water development projects which include extensive
research and investigation activities to augment the water resources of the country.
The Charter of Duties of WAPDA is to investigate, plan and execute schemes for the
following fields:
- Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Power.

- Irrigation, Water Supply and Drainage.
- Prevention of Water logging and Reclamation of Waterlogged and Saline Lands.
- Flood Management.
- Inland Navigation.
The Authority comprises a Chairman and three Members working through a Secretary.
The two main departments of WAPDA are the Power Wing and the Water Wing. The
Finance Department deals with the financial matters of WAPDA. Each of the three wings
are headed by the members who, along with the Chairman, comprise the management
board of WAPDA. Figure 2.1 shows the organisational structure of the WAPDA.
WAPDA is one of the largest employers of human resources in Pakistan. Over the years
WAPDA has developed technical capability and expertise in its range of activities and
gained sound experience which has made it a modern and progressive organization.
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WAPDA Power Wing
The WAPDA Power Wing currently operates separately from the Water Wing, with the
formation of Pakistan Electric Power Company being a corporate entity headed by the
Member (Power). The Power Wing of WAPDA which was divided into three operations
for power generation, transmission and distribution has been restructured into 14 Public
Limited Companies. These 14 Corporate Entities are:
Four (4) Thermal Power Generation Companies (GENCOs).
- Southern Generation Power Company Limited (GENCO-1) with its headquarters

at Jamshoro District, Dadu near Hyderabad, Sindh.
- Central Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-2) with its headquarters at
Guddu District, Jacobabad, Sindh.
- Northern Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-3) with its headquarters
at TPS Muzaffargarh District, Muzaffargarh, Punjab.
- Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited (GENCO-4) with its headquarters at
WAPDA House, Lahore.
One (1) National Transmission & Power Dispatch Company (NTDC)
Nine (9) Distribution Companies (DISCOs) as under:
- (LESCO) Lahore Electric Supply Company

- (GEPCO) Gujranwala Electric Power Company
- (FESCO) Faisalabad Electric Supply Company
- (IESCO) Islamabad Electric Supply Company
- (MEPCO) Multan Electric Power Company
- (PESCO) Peshawar Electric Power Company
- (HESCO) Hyderabad Electric Supply Company
- (QESCO) Quetta Electric Supply Company
- (TESCO) Tribal Electric Supply Company
WAPDA Water Wing
The Water Wing operates under the head of the Member (Water). For effective control,
the entire country is divided into north, central, south and west zones, generally covering
the provinces of NWFP, Punjab, Sindh and Baloachistan respectively, with the execution
of Scarps and surface water development projects.
Chief Engineers (CEs) and Project Directors (PDs) implement projects falling under
regions within each zone. In addition, the Water Wing has a CE (Coordination and
Monitoring) responsible for construction and operation of dams and also all other
projects under the Water Wing. There are also two separate General Managers for
Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project and the National Drainage Project. The Planning
Division of the Water Wing, headed by the General Manager, looks after all of the
planning activities on the water side of WAPDA. Water resources and hydropower
development and the Vision-2025 planning program are handled by the three General
Managers, one covering Technical, (South and North), the GM for P&D and the GM
Hydro Development.
WAPDA Environmental Cell
The WAPDA Environmental cell (WEC) operates under the GM (P & D) of the Water
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Wing. The organizational setup of the WEC is shown in Figure 2.2. Currently the WEC
consists of two sections working under its Director who works under Project Director
(WRPO). The main section of the WEC is at Lahore. The current strength of the WEC is
about 30 professional and para-professional staff. Technical staff consists of
environmental engineers, geologists, ecologists and civil engineers. The WEC staff is
used to dealing with EIA requirements and also handling Resettlement Action Plans.
2.3.3 Provincial Government Institutions
Arrangements for Environmental Assessment at Provincial Government Level
Each provincial government has its own environmental protection institution responsible
for pollution control. The provincial EPAs and the Environmental Protection Departments
(EPDs) are the provincial counterparts of the Federal EPA, which is authorized to
delegate powers to its provincial counterparts. The Provincial Environmental Protection
Agencies are formed by the respective Provincial Governments. A Director General who
exercises powers delegated to him by the concerned Provincial Government heads the
Provincial EPA. The reports covering IEEs and EIAs are submitted to the concerned
Provincial EPAs for approval.
For public works, responsibility for IEE management and review and granting or refusing
of environmental approval, will be vested in the Planning and Development Departments
(referred as P&Ds) responsible for economic and development planning at federal and
provincial levels. The jurisdiction of Federal and Provincial Responsible Authorities
(EPAs/EPDs) is given in Figure 2.3.
North West Frontier Province
As can be seen in Figure 1.3, the dam site and nearly all of the reservoir area falls into
the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The location of the Districts within the NWFP
is shown in the map given as Figure 2.4. At the Provincial level, the NWFP holds all the
required administrative powers regarding land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation
of displaced people of any development project. For the DHP various government
departments at Federal, Provincial and District level will interact and collaborate for
implementation of the project. One of the prerequisites which will require immediate
action relates to the handling of environmental issues. The construction of the DHP will
require that all land and immovable assets located upstream of the dam axis and lying
below 957masl will need to be acquired. The project area is mainly covered within the
administrative jurisdiction of District Administration of District Kohistan, in the North West
Frontier Province (NWFP). The Land Acquisition Act of 1894 with its amendments will
need to be applied for acquisition of the land. Other land based assets will be acquired
according to the rules and regulations applicable for acquiring such assets. A small part
of the project area in the upper reach falls in the jurisdiction of the Northern Area
Administrative and requires that all rules and regulations for acquiring this specific area
of land and land-based assets will need to be applied accordingly.
The Government of the North West Frontier Province functions under the provisions of
the Constitution of Pakistan (1973). The Province has a Provincial Assembly with 124
elected members, constituent of 99 Regular seats, 22 seats reserved for Women and 3
seats for Non-Muslims. The Provincial Assembly elects the Chief Minister of the Province
who forms a Cabinet of Ministers to look after various Departments. The Chief Minister is
the Chief Executive of the Province. The Federal Government appoints a Governor for
the Province.
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The bureaucratic machinery of the Province is headed by a Chief Secretary who

coordinates and supervises functions of various Departments headed by Departmental
Secretaries. In the NWFP the person in charge of the Planning & Development
Department is the Additional Chief Secretary who reports to the Chief Secretary. All the
Secretaries of different Departments are assisted by Additional Secretaries, Deputy
Secretaries, Section Officers and other staff. The Departments may have attached
Departments and autonomous or semi-autonomous bodies to look after various
functions.
Since 2001, a system of elected District Governments has been introduced in the NWFP.
The Province is divided into 24 districts (see Figure 1.2). The Districts are headed by a
Zilla Nazim (District Nazim) assisted by a District Coordination Officer (DCO), who is in
charge of the District bureaucracy. In a District the functions are devolved further to the
Tehsil, Town and Union Council Governments as a part of the local Government system.
Each District has an elected Zilla Council, elected Tehsil, Town and Union Councils who
look after various activities at their respective levels. At District level a District Police
Officer looks after the Law and Order and he reports to the Zilla Nazim. Each District has
a Public Safety Commission which addresses public complaints against the Police.
There is a Provincial Police Officer who is in charge of the police system at the provincial
level.
Government of the Northern Areas
As can be seen in Figure 1.3, the head reach of the Dasu reservoir, where it meets the
downstream face of the proposed Diamer Basha Dam, lies in the Northern Areas. The
Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) administers the Northern
Areas of Pakistan. Any development and implementation of major projects will not be
implemented without the involvement of the said Ministry. The Government of the
Northern Areas has its own legislative council. The Chief Secretary of the Northern
Areas is the administrative head. The structure of the Government of the Northern Areas
is given in Figure 1.2. The Dasu reservoir area covers only part of one District (Diamer)
in the Northern Areas.
On the 23rd October 2007, the President of Pakistan unveiled a package of political,
administrative and development reforms for the Northern Areas (NA).
The legal frame work, under which KANA administers the NA, has been changed by
incorporating 52 amendments proposed by the representatives of the NA into the Legal
Frame Work Order 1994, a law through which Islamabad administers the strategic area.
The salient points as given in a public statement are:
1. The NA Council has been given the status of a Legislative Assembly. The
existing council has 36 seats, 24 elected and 12 reserved seats (six for women
and six for technocrats). It has powers to legislate on 49 subjects.
2. The Legislative Assembly has powers to debate and pass budget.
3. Hither to called Deputy Chief Executive of the council shall be the Chief
Executive with full administrative and financial authority.
4. The existing Chief Executive of NA (who is a Federal Minister) shall be called
Chairman of the NA government.
5. The Chief Executive shall be elected by the new assembly.
6. The new assembly shall have powers to pass no-confidence motions against the
Chief Executive, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker.
7. All administrative and financial powers of Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and
Northern Areas would be transferred to the Northern Area Government.
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8. There would be an Accountant General’s office for the Northern Area.

9. A new District (7th) would be carved out of Gilgit.
10. Two sub divisions of Dagone and Raundo will be set up in Baltistan.
11. The cases registered against officials of NA shall be transferred from Islamabad
to Gilgit.
12. The agricultural loans up to Rs 50,000/ are remitted. This will benefit 12000
people. In addition the mark-up on small and medium loans would be waived.
13. A commission under the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission shall be
set up to resolve the boundary dispute between NA and NWFP province.
14. The current regional development budget has been increased from Rs.6.5 billion
to Rs.7.6 billion.
The reservoir of Dasu Hydropower Project partially falls within the administrative control
of the Diamer District of the Northern Area. Therefore, in relation to the Dasu
Hydropower project, the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Diamer District will be the
key contact point. This office will be responsible for the coordination of different
governmental departments for the execution of the project.
The overall organizational setup of the Northern Areas Administration is given in Figure
2.4.
2.3.4 International and National Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
International environmental and conservation organizations, such as the International

Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF), have been active in Pakistan for some time. Both these organizations have
worked closely with the government and have played an advisory role with regard to the
formulation of environmental and conservation policies. In the eight years since the Rio
Summit, a number of national environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
have also been formed, and have been engaged in advocacy and, in some cases,
research. The most prominent national environmental NGOs, such as the Sustainable
Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Shirkatgah, are members of the Pakistan
National Committee of IUCN. The International Fund for Agricultural Development
(IFAD) has also been active for some time, particularly in the Northern Areas under the
Northern Areas Development Program (NADP). The NADP is working for the
development and construction of various agricultural and social uplift programs,
especially in the affected valleys of the project area.
As mentioned earlier, environmental NGOs have been particularly active in advocacy

and promoting sustainable development approaches. Much of the government’s
environmental and conservation policy has been formulated in consultation with leading
NGOs, who have also been involved in drafting new legislation on conservation.
2.4 Specific EIA Requirements for Dasu Project
2.4.1 Basis for the Environmental Study
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) under the powers conferred
upon it by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) of 1997 provides the
necessary details for the preparation, submission, and review of the Initial Environmental
Examination (IEE) and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for proposed
developments. Categorization of projects for IEE and EIA is one of the main topics of the
IEE-EIA Regulations of 2000. Projects have been classified on the basis of expected
degree and magnitude of environmental impacts and included in different schedules
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contained in the IEE-EIA Regulations of 2000. The projects listed in Schedule-B include
those where the range of environmental issues is comparatively narrow and the issues
can be understood and managed through less extensive analysis. Schedule-B projects
require an IEE to be conducted, rather than a fully fledged EIA, provided that the project
is not located in an environmentally sensitive area. The projects listed in Schedule-A are
generally major projects and have the potential to affect a large number of people.
Projects in environmentally sensitive areas are also included in Schedule-A. The impact
of such projects may be irreversible and could lead to significant changes in land use
and the social, physical and biological environment. Dams and reservoirs with a
maximum storage volume greater than 50 million cubic meters or a surface area greater
than 8 square kilometers fall under the Schedule-A category of the IEE-EIA Regulations
of 2000. The Dasu Hydropower Project therefore falls in Category A and requires a full
EIA. The details of the classification criteria for Schedule-A and Schedule-B are given in
Table 2.4.
2.4.2 The Project Proponent
The project proponent as defined in the relevant EPA regulatory framework is the Water
and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and they are responsible for ensuring that
the relevant environmental assessment procedures are followed. Details are given
below.
2.4.3 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pakistan
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a regulation regarding the
environmental assessment procedures on 15 June 2000. This regulation, known as the
Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Review of IEE and EIA Regulations, 2000,
gives firm legal status to both Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) and
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and also requires an EIA to be conducted for
operations in environmentally sensitive areas, including national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries, game reserves, and areas of archaeological importance.
2.4.4 Pakistan’s Federal EPA Environmental Assessment Procedures
The Federal EPA has published a set of environmental guidelines for conducting
environmental assessments and the environmental management of different types of
development projects. The guidelines that are applicable to the proposed Dasu
Hydropower Project are listed below, followed by comments on their relevance:
Policy and Procedures for Filing, Review and Approval of Environmental

Assessments, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, September 1997
These guidelines define the policy context and the administrative procedures that govern
the environmental assessment process, from the project pre-feasibility stage, to the
approval of the environmental report. The section on administrative procedures has
been superseded by the IEE-EIA Regulations of 2000.
Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Environmental Reports, Pakistan

Environmental Protection Agency, 1997
The guidelines on the preparation and review of environmental reports specify the
following for project proponents:
- The nature of the information to be included in environmental reports;
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- The minimum qualifications of the EIA contractors appointed;

- The need to incorporate suitable mitigation measures at every stage of project
implementation; and
- The need to specify monitoring procedures.
The terms of reference for the reports are to be prepared by the project proponents
themselves. The report must contain baseline data on the project area, detailed
assessment of impacts of the proposed intervention and mitigation measures.
Guidelines for Public Consultation, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency,

May, 1997
These guidelines deal with possible approaches to public consultation and techniques
for designing an effective program of consultation that reaches out to all major
stakeholders and ensures the incorporation of their concerns into any impact
assessment study.
2.4.5 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS)
In order to prescribe the use and check the abuse of environmental resources, the
Government of Pakistan has laid down National Environmental Quality Standards
(NEQS) for municipal and liquid industrial effluent and industrial gaseous emissions,
motor vehicle exhaust and noise.
The NEQS were first promulgated in 1993 and have been amended in 1995 and 2000.
The standards specify the following;
- Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants (32 parameters) in municipal and

liquid industrial effluents discharged to inland waters, sewage treatment facilities,
and the sea.
- Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants (16 parameters) in gaseous
emissions from industrial sources; and
- Maximum allowable concentration of pollutants (2 parameters) in gaseous
emissions from vehicle exhaust and noise emission from vehicles.
The NEQS for liquid effluents discharged to inland surface waters and gaseous emission
from industrial sources are provided in Table 2.2. These standards will be applicable to
the gaseous emissions and liquid effluents discharged to the environment from the
proposed project.
2.5 International Agreements and Provincial Water Accord Signed by Pakistan
Pakistan is a signatory to various international treaties and conventions on the

conservation of the environment and wildlife protection. The country is thus obliged to
adhere to the commitments contained in these treaties. A listing of relevant International
Treaties and Conventions to which Pakistan is a party is given as Table 2.6. For water
resources there are two very important agreements, both relating to trans-boundary
water issues. The first is for international rivers and the other for rivers which cross
provincial boundaries within Pakistan. These are discussed below:
2.5.1 Indus Waters Treaty 1960
The Indus Water Treaty was signed on the 19th September 1960 between India and
Pakistan but was effective from the 1st April 1960. This Treaty gave the waters of three
2-14
western rivers (the Indus, Jehlum and Chenab) to Pakistan and the waters of three
eastern rivers (the Ravi, Sutluj and Bias) to India. This is a landmark Treaty and has
remained in force since its signature. The Indus Water Treaty gives unrestrained use of
the Indus River water to Pakistan. The permanent Indus Commission, constituted under
the Treaty, is responsible for implementation of the Treaty. The existence and successful
operation of the Indus Water Treaty is of critical importance for any potential international
funding agency for the proposed project. Such institutions have policy guidelines
regarding the need for agreement with all parties on developments along international
waterways that could have trans-boundary water impacts.
2.5.2 Water Accord 1991
The other trans-boundary piece of legislation that is of relevance to the proposed project
is The Water Accord of 1991 for Pakistan. The Water Accord establishes the Agreement
between the four Provinces of Pakistan to share water resources between them. For the
proposed project the situation is that the Dasu dam lies in the NWFP and nearly all of the
reservoir also lies in the NWFP. The very upstream part of the reservoir lies in the
Northern Areas, which are administered through the Federal Government. The proposed
project is for hydropower generation and is non consumptive of water. The outflow of
Dasu dam feeds directly into Tarbela dam which is also entirely within the NWFP.
2.6 EIA Requirements of Potential Financing Institutions
2.6.1 The World Bank
Potential financing and managing institutions for the proposed project include the World
Bank. The environmental assessment requirements of the World Bank are clearly laid
out in its safeguard policies and procedures and are considered to constitute
International Best Practice. The crucial documents are the Bank’s Operational Policies
(OP) and Bank Procedures (BP). Operational Policy 4.01 and Bank Procedure 4.01
(amended in March 2007) clearly outline the requirements for Environmental
Assessment for World Bank managed development projects and programmes. These
two documents are supported by a Guidance Note on Environmental Assessment. All
three of these documents are publicly available on the website of the World Bank, along
with the Environmental Assessment Sourcebook and toolkits. The sourcebook has a
section specifically dealing with dams and also electricity transmission lines. The way
that the World Bank makes sure that these environmental safeguards are incorporated
into the Bank’s lending policy is clearly set out in OP/BP 4:00 on the use of borrower
systems to address environmental and social safeguards.
The basic philosophy that underpins the World Bank approach to environmental
assessment is that all development should be environmentally sound and sustainable in
the broadest sense, covering both the natural and human/social aspects of development.
No person is to be made worse off as a result of any intervention. Any potential adverse
impacts are to be avoided by appropriate changes in intervention design. Where this is
not possible then potential adverse impacts are to be fully mitigated for by appropriate
interventions and the costs of these are to be included in the economic appraisal of the
proposed intervention. In addition the aim of the World Bank’s environmental
assessment process is to ensure proposed interventions maximise their environmental
benefits, often adapting design elements to enhance positive impacts.
The World Bank Guidance Note on Environmental Assessment has a categorisation of

projects according to their type, size and likely degree of impact and outlines the differing
procedures needed for each category. The proposed project falls into World Bank
2-15
Category A under both Section (a) being a dam and reservoir, and also Section (l) being
a hydropower development. In addition the proposed project will necessitate the
involuntary resettlement of an estimated 3,670 people and invokes the Bank’s special
Operational Policies and Bank Procedures for Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12).
The occurrence of Indigenous People, as defined in World Bank OP and BP 4.10, is also
critical to the environmental classification of the project. All of the people in the proposed
project affected area are of minority tribal groups and this needs to be considered in the
light of OP and BP 4.10. The loss of Physical Cultural Resources (the petroglyphs would
be considered as these) is covered under OP 4.11, the loss of any natural habitats by
OP/BP 4.04 and forests by OP/BP 4.36.
The World Bank has a Operational Policy specifically for Water Resources Management
(OP4.07 dated February 2000) which is of direct relevance to the proposed project.
There is also a Bank Procedure for projects on International Waterways (BP 7.50, dated
October 1994) which is of the utmost importance to the proposed project. BP 7.50
outlines the Bank’s requirements for dealing with trans-boundary water projects, of which
the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 is critical in addressing this issue.
Other relevant World Bank policies and guidelines include OP/BP 4.02 on Environmental
Action Plans (EAPs), which outline the need for and nature of an EAP. An EAP is
required for all Category A projects and also if there are significant adverse impacts that
can not be avoided by changes in the design of the proposed intervention. The EAP is to
include targeted mitigation programmes, with cost estimates and an implementation
programme. An EAP also includes an environmental management and monitoring
framework with recommendations for appropriate institutional arrangements for its
implementation.
Bio-diversity considerations form an intrinsic part of the environmental assessment

process. The World Bank has a guideline for showing how bio-diversity issues are to be
mainstreamed into the development process. This is available on the Bank’s website.
Similarly public consultation is to be an intrinsic part of the environmental assessment
process. The requirements for pubic consultation are clearly stated in Update No 26 of
the Environmental Sourcebook, dated May 1999. The public consultation that has
already been carried out for the project and resulted in significant changes in project
design is given in Section 4 of this EIA report.
The required output and format of the environmental assessment process for a project to
be considered for World Bank funding is given in their Guideline. The report contents and
order is specified and is to be one self contained volume of no more than 150 pages.
Details and data are to be given as Appendices to the main EIA report rather than in the
report itself. The World Bank EIA output format is now considered to be the current
International Best Practice. This basic approach has been followed for the Dasu EIA
report with the Technical Memos forming the supporting detail for the main EIA report.
2.6.2 The Asian Development Bank
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) could be a potential funding institution for the
proposed project. The environmental assessment requirements of the ADB are clearly
laid out in their Environmental Assessment Guidelines of 2003 and available on the ADB
website. Under the ADB classification system any dam or reservoir is classified as a
Category A, as is any project requiring relocation of people. Category A requires a full
EIA to be carried out and the formats for reporting are clearly given in Appendix 2 of the
2003 ADB Guideline. The section headings for an EIA report are given and for a
Summary EIA report maximum page lengths for each section are prescribed. The ADB
2-16
also produce sector guidelines for environmental assessment and rapid environmental
assessment checklists, including one for hydropower.
2.6.3 Other International Procedures for Environmental Assessment of Dams
There are also other international institutions dealing with questions concerning the
environmental assessment of dams. These include the World Commission on Dams,
which carried out a major review of the environmental consequences of dam
construction, and also the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). In addition
the Equator Principles which are a set of guiding environmental principles for both public
and private concerns are starting to be used as a framework for environmental
management, particularly in the mining and power sectors.
2.7 Implications for the Proposed Project
Under the national regulatory framework the project proponent is the WAPDA and they
are legally bound to follow the Pakistan requirements for environmental assessment. The
regulatory authority for environmental assessment is the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency. The proposed dam is a Schedule A project under the Pakistan
national classification system and requires a full EIA. Under both the World Bank and
Asian Development Bank classifications the proposed project falls under Category A and
requires a full EIA. This EIA report has been structured to satisfy the national EA
requirements and at the same time those of the World Bank and the Asian Development
Bank.
2-17
Table 2.1 Major Items of Pakistan Environmental Legislation

SECTOR LEGISLATION
- The Pakistan Penal Code (1860)

Environmental Protection - Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, No. XXXIV of 1997
- The Punjab Development of Damaged Areas Act (1952)

- The Punjab Soil Reclamation Act (1852)
- The West Pakistan Agricultural Pests Ordinance (1959) and Rules (1960)
- The Islamabad (Prevention of Landscape) Ordinance (1966)
Land Use - The Punjab Development Cities Act (1976)
- The Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh Local Government Ordinance(s)
(1979/80)
- The NWFP Salinity Control and Reclamation Act (1988)

- The Canal and Drainage Act (1873)
- The Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh Local Government
Water Quality and Ordinance(s) (1979/80)

Resources - On Farm Water Management and Water Users’ Associations Ordinance (1981)
- Indus River Water Apportionment Accord (1991)
- Statutory Notification S.R.R. 742 (1993)

- The Motor Vehicles Ordinance (1965) and Rules (1969)
- The Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh Local Government
Air Quality Ordinance(s) (1979/80)
Noise - The Motor Vehicles Ordinance (1965) and Rules (1969)

Toxic or Hazardous
- The Explosives Act (1884)
Substances
- The Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance (1971) and Rules (1973)
Solid Waste and (1979/80)
Effluents
- Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, No. XXXIV of 1997
- The West Pakistan Fisheries Ordinance (1961)
Marine and Fisheries
- The NWFP Fisheries Rules (1976)
2-18
- The Punjab Forest (sale of timber) Act (1913)

- The Forests Act (1927).
- The NWFP Hazara Forest Act (1936)
- The West Pakistan Firewood and Charcoal (Restrictions) Act 1964
- The Punjab Plantation and Maintenance of Trees Act (1974)
- The Cutting of Trees (Prohibition) Act (1975)
Forest Conservation
- The NWFP Management of Protected Forests Rules (1975)
- The Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh Local Government Ordinance(s) (1979/80)
- The NWFP (Conservation and Exploitation of Certain Forests in Hazara Division)
Ordinance (1980)
- The NWFP Forest Development Corporation Ordinance (1980)
- The Protection of Trees and Brushwood Act of 1949
- The West Pakistan Ordinance (1959)

- The Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act
(1974) and Rules (1974)
- The NWFP Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act
(1975) and Rules (1976)
Parks and Wildlife - Northern Areas Wildlife Preservation Act (1975)

Conservation Protection - The Pakistan Plant Quarantine Act (1976)
- Islamabad Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management)
Ordinance (1979/80)
(1979/80)
- Export and Control Order (1982)
- The Regulation of Mines and Oil-Fields and Mineral Development (Government
Mineral Development
Control) Act (1948)
- The Antiquities Act (1975)
Cultural Environment
- The Punjab Special Premises (Prevention) Ordinance (1985)
- West Pakistan Goats (Restriction) Ordinance (1959)
- The Grazing of Cattle in Protected Forests (Range Lands) Rules (1978)
Livestock - Pakistan Animal Quarantine (Import and Export of Animals and Animal Products)
Ordinance (1979/80)
(1979/80)
- Land Acquisition Act 1894
- Project Implementation and Resettlement Ordinance
Resettlement - The Telegraphy Act (1910)
- The West Pakistan Water & Power Act (1958)
- The Electricity Act IX (1910)
- The Public Health (Emergency Provisions) Ordinance (1944)
Public Health and Safety
- The Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab and Sindh Local Government Ordinance(s) (1979/80)
- The West Pakistan Epidemic Diseases Act (1979/80)
Source: Pakistan Environmental Assessment Procedures, Pakistan EPA, Islamabad
2-19
Table 2.2 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS)

For Municipal and Liquid Industrial Effluents
(Mg/l, unless otherwise defined)
Revised Standards
Sr. Existing Into Inland Into Sewage Into Sea
No. Parameter Standards Waters Treatment
1 Temperature/ Temperature increase* 40o C ≤ 3o C ≥ 3o C ≥ 3o C

2 pH value 6 - 10 6-9 6-9 6–9
3 5-days Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) at 80 80 250 80**
20oC. (1)
4 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (1) 150 150 400 150
5 Total Suspended Solids 150 200 400 200
6 Total Dissolved Solids 3500 3500 3500 3500
7 Grease and Oil 10 10 10 10
8 Phenolic Compounds (as phenol) 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3
9 Chloride (as CI) 1000 1000 1000 SC
10 Fluoride (as F) 20 10 10 10
11 Cyanide (as QN) total 2 1 1 1
12 An-lonic Detergents (as MBAS) (2) 20 20 20 20
13 Sulphate (SO4) 600 600 1000 SC
14 Sulphide (S) 1.0 1 1 1
15 Ammonia (NH3) 40 40 40 40
16 Pesticides, Herbicides, Fungicides and 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15
Insecticides (3)
17 Cadmlum (4) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
18 Chromium (trivalent & hexavalent) (4) 1.0 1 1 1
19 Copper (4) 1.0 1 1 1
20 Lead (4) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
21 Mercury (4) 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
22 Selenium (4) 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
23 Nickel (4) 1.0 1 1 1
24 Silver (4) 1.0 1 1 1
25 Total Toxic Metals 2.0 2 2 2
26 Zinc 5.0 5 5 5
27 Arsenic (4) 1.0 1 1 1
28 Barium (4) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
29 Iron 2.0 8 8 8
30 Manganese 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
31 Boron (4) 6.0 6 6 6
32 Chlorine 1.0 1 1 1
1. Summing minimum dilution 1:10 on discharge, lower ratio would attract progressively stringent standards to be
determined by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. By 1:10 dilution means for example, that for each one cubic
meter of treated effluent the recipient water body should have 10 cubic meter of water for dilution of this effluent.
2. Modified Benzene Alkyl Sulphate; assuming surfactant as bio-degradable.
3. Pesticides. Herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides.
4. Subject to total toxic metals discharge.
5. Applicable only when and where sewage treatment is operational and BOD5=80 mg/l is achieved by the sewer treatment
system.
6. Provided discharge is not at shore and not within 10 miles of mangrove or other important estuaries.
SC Discharge concentration at or below Sea concentration.
* The effluent should not result in temperature increase of more that 3°C at the edge of the zone where initial mixing and
dilution take place. In case zone is not defined, use 100 meters from the point of discharge.
Note: Dilution of gaseous emissions and liquid effluents to bring them to the NEQS limiting value is not permissible through
excess air mixing/blowing into the gaseous emissions or through fresh water mixing with the effluent before discharge into
environment.
** The value of BOD and COD is 200 and 400 respectively
2-20
Table 2.3 National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS)

For Industrial Gaseous Emission
3
(Mg / NM , unless otherwise defined)
Sr. Existing Revised
Parameter Source of Emission
No. Standards Standards
40% or 2
1 Smoke (1) Smoke opacity not to exceed (Ringlemann 40%
scale)
2 Particulate Matter (2) Boilers and furnaces:
(i) Oil fired.
(ii) Coal fired. 300
300
(iii) Cement Kilns. 500
500
Grinding, crushing, clinker coolers and 200
200
related processes, metallurgical processes, 500
500
converter blast furnaces and cupolas
Hydrogen
3 Chloride (3) Any. 400 400
4 Chlorine (3) Any. 150 150

Hydrogen fluoride (3)
5 Any. 150 150
Hydrogen Sulphide (3)
6 Any. 10 10
Sulphuric acid plant 5000
7 Sulphur Oxides Others. 400 1700
Carbon monoxide 800

8 Any. 800
(3)
50
9 Lead (3) Any. 50
10
10 Mercury (3) Any. 10
20
11 Cadmium (3) Any. 20
20
12 Arsenic (3) Any. 20
50
13 Cooper (3) Any. 50
20
14 Antimony (3) Any. 20
15 Zinc (3) Any 200 200

3000
Nitric acid manufacturing Unit
400 400
Gas fired.
16 Oxides of Nitrogens 600
Oil fired
400 1200
Coal fired
1. Or 2 on the Ringlemann scale

2. Based on the assumption that the size of the particulates is 10 micron or more.
3. Any source
4. In respect of emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, the power plants operating on oil or coal as
fuel shall, in addition to national Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) specified above, comply with
the following standard.
2-21
Table 2.4 Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide Ambient Air Requirements (NEQS)
A. SULPHUR DIOXIDE
Sulphur Dioxide Background Levels (µg/m3)

Standards
Criterion I Criterion II
Annual Max. In 24 Hour Max. SO2 Emission Max. Allowable

Average Interval (Tons/day/Plant) Ground Level
(µg/m3) (µg/m3) Increment To
Background Air Quality Ambient (One year
average, µg/m3)
(SO2 Basic)
Unpolluted < 50 < 200 500 50
Moderately
Polluted*
Low
50 200 500 50
High
100 400 100 10
Very Polluted** > 100 > 400 100 10
* For intermediate values between 50 and 100 µg/m3) liner interpolations should be used
** No project with sulphur dioxide emissions will be recommended
B. NITROGEN OXIDES
Ambient air concentrations of nitrogen oxides, expressed as NO2, should not exceed the following:-
100 µg/m3
Annual Arithmetic Mean
(0.05 ppm)
Emission levels for stationary sources discharges, before mixing with the atmosphere, should be maintained as
follows:
For fuel fired stream generators, as nanogram (10E-9 gram) per joule of heat input:
Liquid fossil fuel 130

Solid fossil fuel 300
Lignite fossil fuel 260
2-22
Table 2.5 Pakistan National EIA Categorization of Proposed Projects
SCHEDULE A
LIST OF PROJECTS REQUIRING AN EIA
The Projects in Schedule A are generally major projects and have the potential to affect a large
number of people. They also include projects in environmentally sensitive areas. The impact of
such projects may be irreversible and could lead to significant changes in land use and the social,
physical and biological environment.
Agriculture and Livestock
No EIA’s required unless a specific proposal is designated by the Responsible Authority, which
could be the result of significant impacts being discovered at the IEE stage.
Energy
- Thermal Power Generation over 200MW

- Hydroelectric Power Generation over 50 MW
- Petroleum Refineries
- Major Power transmission lines (above 11kV) including Grid Stations
- Nuclear Power Plants
Manufacturing and Processing
- Major manufacturing of chemicals, pesticides or fertilizer

- Petrochemical complexes
- Major tanning and leather finishing
- Man-made fibers and resin projects greater than10 crore (100 million) rupees in value
- Industrial Estates (including export processing zones)
- Large scale food processing such as sugar mills, refineries, breweries, distilleries,
soft drinks, milk and dairy products greater than 10 crore rupees in value
- Large scale industrial plants such as: synthetic resins, plastics and manmade fibers,
paper and paperboard containers and boxes, plastic products, textiles except apparel,
printing and publishing, paints and dyes, oils and fats greater than1 crore rupees in value
- Cement plants
Mining and Mineral Processing
- Major mineral development including; mining and processing of coal, gold, copper, iron,
and precious stones
- Major smelting plants
- Major non-ferrous metals, iron and steel rolling
Transport
- Major Ports and Harbours development

- Major Airports
- Federal or Provincial Highways or major roads greater than 5 crore rupees in value.
Maintenance (rebuilding or reconstruction of existing roads is excepted from the
requirement of an EIA).
- Major railway works
Water Management; Dams, Irrigation and Flood Protection
- Dams and reservoirs with a maximum storage volume greater than 50 million cubic
meters or a surface area greater than 8 square kilometres
- Irrigation and drainage serving more than 15,000 hectares
2-23
Table 2.5 Pakistan National EIA Categorization of Proposed Projects(Contd.)
Water Supply and Treatment
- Major urban water supply infrastructure, including major head works and treatment plants.
Waste Disposal
- Waste disposal and/or storage of hazardous or toxic wastes (including landfill sites,
incineration of hospital toxic waste)
- Waste disposal facilities for domestic or industrial wastes, where more than 10,000 cubic
meters of waste will handled annually
Urban Development and Tourism
- Land use studies and urban plans (large cities)

- Large scale tourism developments
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
- Any project which will be situated in an environmentally sensitive or critical area should be
carefully investigated, and the results communicated to the Responsible Authority, who
will advise whether an EIA is necessary (see "Guidelines for sensitive and critical areas").
Any other projects that the EPA may require.
SCHEDULE B
LIST OF PROJECTS REQUIRING AN IEE
These projects include those where the range of environmental issues is comparatively narrow
and the issues can be understood and managed through less extensive analysis. These are
projects not generally located in environmentally sensitive areas or smaller proposals in sensitive
areas.
Agricultural and Livestock
- Agro-industrial installation: large poultry farms and beef cattle lots

- Repacking, formulation or warehousing of agricultural produce
Energy
- Thermal Power Generation less than 200 MW

- Hydroelectric power generation less than 50 MW
- Electrical transmission lines (11kV or smaller), and large distribution projects
- Major waste to energy generation projects
- Oil and gas transmission systems
- Oil and gas extraction including exploration, production, gathering systems, separation
and storage
Manufacturing and Processing
- Man-made fibers and resin projects less than 10 crore (100 million) rupees in value
- Food processing such as sugar mills, refineries, breweries, distilleries, soft drinks, milk
and dairy products less than than10 crore rupees in value
- Sizable ceramics and glass manufacturing
- Sizable apparel manufacturing including dying and printing
- Manufacturing wood products on a sizable scale.
2-24
Table 2.5 Pakistan National EIA Categorization of Proposed Projects (Contd.)
Mining and Mineral Processing
- Commercial extraction of sand, gravel, limestone, clay and other minerals not included in
Schedule A.
- Crushing, grinding and separating processes
- Minor smelting Plants
Transport
- Ports and Harbours Development for ships less than 500 gross tons
- Federal or Provincial Highways (except maintenance, rebuilding or reconstruction of
existing metalled roads) less than 5 crore rupees in value.
Water Management; Dams, Irrigation and Flood Protection
- Dams and Reservoirs with a storage volume less than 50 million cubic meters or a
surface area less than 8 square kilometres
- Irrigation and Drainage serving less than 15,000 hectares
- Small-scale irrigation systems
Water Supply and Treatment
- Minor head works and small systems
Waste Disposal
- Waste disposal facility for domestic or industrial wastes, where less than 10,000 cubic
meters of waste will handled annually
Urban Development and Tourism
- Urban development projects, including large rural hotels, schools and universities
- Public facilities which have significant off-site impacts (i.e. hospital wastes)
- Housing Estates
Any other projects that the EPA may require.
SCHEDULE C
LIST OF PROJECTS NOT REQUIRING IEE OR EIA
Essentially Schedule ‘C" combines everything not in Schedules ‘A’ and ‘B’. As is the case for ‘A’
and ‘B’ projects, Schedule ‘C’ projects are also subject to review if they are situated in an
environmentally sensitive or critical area. No attempt is made here to detail these projects,
however some illustrative examples are provided below:
- construction of homes, offices and small commercial buildings, subject to compliance with
existing zoning laws;
- reconstruction/rehabilitation of roads including sealing;
- on-farm dams;
- projects promoting energy efficiency; and
- lining of existing canals and/or watercourses.
Source: Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency, “Policy and

procedures for the filing, review and approval of environmental assessments”.
2-25
Table 2.6 Major International Conventions and Treaties Signed By Pakistan

Sr.
Treaty / Convention Brief Description
No.
Pakistan signed this convention in 1992. The objective of this convention is the
conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the
fair and equitable sharing of the benefits rising out of the utilization of genetic
The Convention on
resources, including those by appropriate access to genetic resources and by
1 Biological Diversity
appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over
those resources and to technologies and by appropriate funding.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), 1979,
requires countries to take action to avoid endangering migratory species. The term
The Convention on "migratory species" refers to the species of wild animals, a significant proportion of whose
Conservation of Migratory members cyclically and predictably cross one or more national jurisdictional boundaries.
2
Species of Wild Animals – The parties are also required to promote or co-operate with other countries in matters of
1979 research on migratory species.
Pakistan is a signatory to the said Convention. The principal obligations of contracting

parties to the Convention are:
• To designate wetlands for the List of Wetlands of International Importance.

• To formulate and implement planning so as to promote wise use of wetlands, to
carry out EIA before transformations of wetlands, and to make national wetland
inventories.
• To establish nature reserves on wetlands and provide adequately for their
wardening and through management to increase waterfowl populations on
appropriate wetlands.
The Convention on Wetlands
• To train personnel competent in wetland research, management and wardening.
3 of International Importance,
Ramsar 1971 • To promote conservation of wetlands by combining far-sighted national policies
with coordinated international action, to consult with other contracting parties about
implementing obligations arising from the Convention, especially about shared
wetlands and water system.
• To promote wetland conservation concerns with development aid agencies.
• To encourage research and exchange of data.
So far 9 sites in Pakistan have been declared as wetlands of International Importance or

Ramsar Sites (WWF – Pak 2000). None of these wetlands is located within or in close
vicinity of the project area.
This convention came into effect in March 1973 at Washington. In all 130 countries are
signatory to this convention with Pakistan signing the convention in 1976.
Convention on International
Trade of Endangered Species The convention requires the signatories to impose strict regulation (including penalization,
4
of Wild Fauna and Flora confiscation of the specimen etc.) regarding trade of all species threatened with extinction or
(CITES) – 1973 that may become so, in order not to endanger further their survival.
The red list is published by IUCN and includes those species that are under potential threat
of extinction. These species have been categorized as:
• Endangered: species that are seen to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the
wild in the near future, reduction of 50% or more either in the last 10 years or
over the last three generations, survive only in small numbers, or have very small
populations.
• Vulnerable in Decline: species that are seen to be facing a risk of extinction in the
5 IUCN Red List 2000 wild, having apparent reductions of 20% or more in the last 10 years or three
generations.
• Vulnerable: species that are seen to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild,
but not necessarily experiencing recent reductions in population size.
• Lower Risk: species that are seen to be facing a risk of extinction that is lesser in
extent that for any of the above categories.
• Data Deficient: species that may be at risk of extinction in the wild but at the
present time there is insufficient information available to make a firm decision
about its status.
2-26
Figure 2.1(a)
ORGANIZATIONAL SETUP OF WAPDA

Figure 2.1(b)
Figure 2.1(c)
MEMBER (POWER)
CE (NTDC) GM (Thermal) GM (Operations) GM (Hydel)
GM (GSO) CE (GENCO-I) CE (IESCO) GM (WPPO)
GM (GSC) CE (GENCO-II) CE (FESCO) GM (CS)
CE (GENCO-III) CE (GEPCO) GM (Fin) P
CE (LESCO) GM (C&M) P
CE (MEPCO) GM (Planning)
CE (PESCO) GM (HV & SCL)
CE (QESCO) DG (IS)
CE (HESCO)
Figure 2.2
ORGANIZATIONAL SETUP OF WAPDA ENVIROMENTAL CELL (WEC)

Figure 2.3
THE JURISDICTION OF FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL INSTITUTIONS
JURISDICTION OF
“RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY”
FEDERAL PROVINCIAL
- Projects in Federal Areas

- Military Projects All Other Projects Including “Umbrella
- Trans-National Impacts Projects”
- Projects with Trans-Province
Impacts (subject to consultation)
EPA P&D P&D EPA & EPD
IEEs for private IEEs for IEEs for IEEs for private
projects, and Public projects Public projects projects, and
EIAs for both EIAs for both
private and public private and public
projects projects
Figure 2.4
Organizational Setup of the Northern Areas Administration
Chief Executive & Minister for Kashmir Affairs &

Northern Areas (KANA)
Secretary KANA Division

Islamabad
Chief Secretary Northern Areas
Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary

Finance Planning Agriculture Home Works Education
Diamer Gilgit Ghizer Ghanchi Sakardu

District District District District District
Deputy Deputy Deputy Deputy Deputy

Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Assistant Assistant Assistant Assistant Assistant

Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s)
Naib Naib Naib Naib Naib

Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s) Tehsildar(s)
Office Office Office Office Office

Qanoongoh Qanoongoh Qanoongoh Qanoongoh Qanoongoh
Patwari Patwari Patwari Patwari Patwari

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
3.1 Project Context
3.1.1 Electric Power Generation Capacity and Demand in Pakistan
The total electrical power generation capacity in Pakistan as at June 2007 was stated as
being 17,367 MW. This includes hydropower generation capacity of 6,463 MW, thermal
power generation capacity of 10,549 MW and nuclear power generation capacity of 325
MW. Hydropower generation thus comprises 37% of the total installed electricity
generation capacity of the country. However there are significant seasonal variations in
capability to use the installed capacity, particularly with hydropower, where the demands
for irrigation water requirements downstream of the hydropower plants also have to be
taken into consideration when they are operated. There are currently five major
hydropower generation plants in Pakistan of which Tarbela has by far the greatest
installed generation capacity of 3,478MW. The comparison of these five plants is shown
in Table 3.1. The other four are Ghazi Barotha (1,450MW), Mangla (1,000MW), Warsak
(243MW) and Chashma (184MW). There are also nine much smaller plants whose
combined capacity is about 109 MW, less than two percent of the total hydropower
installed capacity.
Table 3.1 Hydro Power Sources As At June 2007

Energy Data of Operating Hydro Power Stations June 2007
Installed Overall Cost of Utilization
Net Electrical
Power Station Generation Generation Factor
Output GWh
Capacity MW Ps/KWh %
Tarbela 3,478 16,045 21.73 41.98
Ghazi Barotha 1,450 6,845
Mangla 1,000 5,942 12.01 31.88
Warsak 243 1,005 24.15 43.52
Chashma 184 1,137
Rasul 22 33 36.91 16.97
Malakand/Jabban 20 111 16.73 64.69
Dargai 20 133 6.71 75.95
Shadiwal 13 43 22.12 35.98
Chichoki Malian 13 23 40.71 19.73
Nandipur 14 34 35.95 27.77
Kurram Garhi 4 11 58.00 31.31
Renala 1 4 99.39 37.37
Chitral 1 5 101.39 52.44
Total: 6,463 31,371 Overall 20
Ref: WAPDA Vision 2025, part updated with MWP Year Book 2006-2007
Demand for electricity in Pakistan has been rising rapidly and is predicted to rise at an
increasing rate in the future, particularly amongst the more affluent parts of the urban
population. The present situation is that there is now significantly greater demand for
electricity than the installed generation capacity, with the maximum shortfall being in
June each year. This has resulted in rationing of electrical power which during 2007
reached a peak load shedding of 2,868MW in the month of June. This figure is 16% over
the installed capacity and considerably greater than the seasonally available capacity.
The situation in 2008 is even more serious as electricity demand has increased still
further, causing widespread rotational load shedding that by May 2008 resulted in some
parts of Lahore being without power for significant parts of the day and evening. This
situation is causing serious economic losses to the country as well as being socially and
politically divisive and could lead to a gradual increasing risk of social unrest.
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A series of small scale hydro power projects are currently being developed by WAPDA
with a total generating capacity of 946MW. Whilst this will not by itself be sufficient to
overcome the shortfall in installed generation capacity, the biggest problem is that they
will take time to come on line, with the full extra 946MW not being available until 2011. A
program of rapid provision of private fossil fuelled thermal generation capacity (including
mobile units) is currently being implemented but this will also take some time to come on
line, with 1,844MW planned to be available by the end of 2009 and an additional
2,009MW by the end of 2010. The first batch total of 5,037MW is planned to be online by
December 2011. The aim of these fossil fuelled units is to cover the current shortfall till
the new hydro power plants come on line. However the cost of generation from these
thermal units will be very high as they use non-renewable fossil fuels that will inevitably
increase in price. They will also produce environmentally damaging emissions. This is
not a long term environmentally sustainable solution to the country’s power shortage. A
further 8,298MW of private generation is planned to come on line between January 2012
and April 2016, including some small scale hydro generation and three very large coal
fired power stations Despite this increased provision there will still remain a significant
future shortfall in power generation in the medium term as demand is predicted to
increase. This is despite the fact that electricity tariffs are already structured in an
escalating way to try and restrict demand. The medium term solution being proposed is
to develop two hydro power dams on the Indus river upstream of the already constructed
multipurpose hydro power dam at Tarbela (See Figure 1.3). The first dam proposed is at
Diamer Basha with an installed capacity of 4,500MW with construction planned to
commence in 2009 and to come on line by 2016. Once Diamer Basha is in place then a
dam can be constructed at Dasu that will be able to generate 4,320MW of power using
the run of the river without seasonal storage in the reservoir. However it must be clearly
understood that Dasu is technically dependent upon Diamer Basha being constructed
first.
3.1.2 Fuel Sources for Electricity Generation
The generation of electricity with fossil fuel powered thermal plants uses increasingly
expensive (because they are finite) non renewable hydro-carbons that also produce
greenhouse gas emissions. They are intrinsically environmentally unsound and
unsustainable, although they are becoming increasingly more efficient as technology
(such as closed cycle systems) advances. As at June 2007 the main energy sources of
thermal electricity generation in Pakistan were oil, gas and coal. Nuclear fuelled sources
provide just under 2% of generation capacity. Of all the electricity generation energy
sources currently being used in the country hydropower is the only renewable source
and also has the significant environmental advantage of causing no atmospheric
emissions generated by fossil fuel burning or the very serious waste management
problems and risk consequences of nuclear power generation. Hydropower generation is
currently the least expensive form of electricity generation in Pakistan, although the
capital costs of developing new plants will be high and there are complications in the way
that such costs are depreciated over time. The running costs of hydropower generation
plants are very low indeed and this advantage can only increase in the future as fossil
fuel sources (much of it imported into the country) increase in price as they become
scarcer.
It has been estimated that the potential for hydropower generation in Pakistan is of the
order of 40,000 MW. However it is important that the development of these hydro power
generation sources is carried out in an environmentally sound and sustainable way, fully
taking into consideration all the potential adverse impacts and including the cost of fully
mitigating these into their overall evaluation. There are other potential renewable power
sources in Pakistan (wind and solar power for instance) but none of these has as yet
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undergone significant commercial trials and whilst the technology for these is improving
and the capital costs falling they are not yet placed to be used to address the critical
power shortage that the country currently finds itself facing. Such alternative renewable
power and energy sources do have a place, particularly at the local level (even down to
the individual household) but in the context of Pakistan are unlikely to be a major source
of power for the large urban areas in the way that hydropower is and increasingly will
need to be.
3.2 The Need for the Dasu Project
The need for increased power generation in Pakistan has been clearly laid out in the
above section of the report and the intrinsic environmental advantages of hydro power
generation over fossil fuel burning thermal power stations are clear. However great care
is needed in the study and optimization of hydro power planning and design to ensure
that any adverse environmental impacts (these include the need for land acquisition and
involuntary resettlement as well as the consequences of changed river flow patterns) are
adequately addressed and mitigated for so that no person is worse off as a result of the
project. Hydropower generation is dependent on having adequate dependable
differences in water levels and volumes to generate electrical power. The capital costs of
developing such hydro power resources can be high but when realistically depreciated
over time and combined with very low operating costs they have significant advantages.
However the various options of dam site locations, reservoir sizes and the optimization of
these requires an integrated planning approach, both within the context of river basin
planning and also across economic sectors. On the Indus river this process is further
complicated by the need to optimize the needs of water requirement for hydropower with
the needs of irrigated agriculture.
Hydropower generation is not a consumptive use of water and in the case of the
proposed Dasu hydro power project there is no diversion into another catchment. The
design and operation of most hydropower dams require that many hydrological factors
be taken into account, both in terms of seasonal cycles and longer term trends in water
availability and use and also the potential water and power demand. In the Indus
reservoir levels would generally be low in early summer and the turbines operate at
relatively low heads with consequently low power output. In the flood season the
reservoir levels would be high and large discharges can be passed through the turbines
for maximum power generation. In winter the irrigation water requirements are low but
inflow into the reservoir is severely curtailed as the main water source is ice and snow
melt in from the upper catchment. Such a situation means that discharges for power
generation in winter are limited by the need to ensure that there will be sufficient water to
supply irrigation requirements up until there is significant water inflow into the reservoir
from snow and ice melt as seasonal temperature start to rise in the spring. There are
long term uncertainties and complications created by climate change on the rate of
melting of snow and ice in the upstream catchment and these are discussed in the
environmental risk analysis for the project in Section 9.6. However the situation with
Dasu is very different in that it is designed to operate as a run of river hydropower
generation facility located between Diamer Basha and Tarbela dams. Dasu reservoir has
restricted water storage capability and is intended to be operated on a daily cycle for
generation of electricity to satisfy peak demand. This will result in there being large
variations in reservoir level within a daily cycle.
Due to these natural hydrological and water demand constraints the maximum installed
generation capacity of hydro power plants on the Indus river can not be fully utilized
throughout the year. For Dasu the situation is different in that the maximum installed
generation is designed to be used on a daily basis but only at the time of peak demand
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of a few hours each day. There is however no doubt that hydropower generation has by
far the lowest operating costs of any other form of power generation in the country. The
utilization of the installed hydropower production capacity varies widely within an annual
cycle. With 6,463MW installed hydropower capacity the actual utilization in a typical year
can be as low as 2,650 MW (41%) in May (when electricity demand is rising) with the
yearly average being around 3,700 MW (57%). The result of the compromised operating
patterns (due to the need to guarantee water for downstream irrigation) is that the
proportion of annual total energy generated by hydro power is less than the overall
proportion of installed generation capacity provided by hydropower sources. Hence, the
installed capacity of hydropower plants has to be compared with the actual power
generated during the year in order to assess the effects of hydrological management
compromises. In the year 2000/01, the total electricity generated in the country was
68,117 GWh, of which only 25% was from hydropower sources, despite the fact that the
proportion of installed hydropower capacity in the country was 37%. However the
operational cost of hydropower is significantly less than any other source of power
generation in the country and even with the compromises that have to be made due to
other water requirements, hydropower is by far the most superior form of power
generation in environmental terms.
3.3 Generation Costs of Hydropower in Pakistan
The generation cost of hydropower energy is around 20 Paisas per KWh (see table 3.1),
a Paisa being one hundredth of a Rupee. This is considerably lower than that of fossil
fuel burning power stations. However the capital costs of building the next large
hydropower dams will be high (preliminary cost estimates for Diamer Basha are US $12
billion and Dasu US $5.1 billion) but when discounted over the life of the project they are
still likely to produce electricity at a cost considerably lower than other more
environmentally damaging fossil fuel or nuclear power options. However hydropower
generation operation is constrained by other water demands resulting in sub-optimal use
of the installed capacity. This compromises its ability to operate efficiently and
particularly to fully use the installed capacity when demand is at its seasonal high. Such
a situation requires a fundamental strategic approach to environmental resource
evaluation and valuation which lies well outside the scope of the present study. However
the cost benefit assessment of Dasu (and Diamer Basha) has been based on a value of
generated electricity split into a peak rate and an off peak rate. More details of this can
be found in the relevant sections of the main feasibility study report. However, the overall
conclusion is that the Dasu project will be able to produce electricity at a significantly
lower rate than other fossil fuel alternative sources.
The average charge being made by WAPDA for hydropower in 2005 was
Rs. 1.40 per kilowatt-hour for 50 units. (see the WAPDA Power System Statistics –
Twenty Ninth Issue, Planning Development Power Wing, February 2005).
3.4 Utilization Factor for Hydropower Generation in Pakistan
The Utilization Factor indicates the amount of energy actually generated against the
maximum capacity of the installed plant. The ability to fully utilize the installed capacity of
hydropower in Pakistan is influenced by the need to retain water in the storage reservoirs
for future downstream irrigation use for food production. This is also influence by the
likely timing of rainfall in the agricultural production areas. The overall result is that
currently the utilization factor over an annual cycle for hydropower in Pakistan is lower
than for thermal or nuclear energy as these plants can be consistently run at their
maximum capacity if required. However the unit cost of production from well planned
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hydropower is significantly lower than other sources available in Pakistan, as well as

being environmentally safe and sustainable.
The Utilization Factor can also change from year to year, depending upon the current
priorities for water allocation, the variation in demand for electricity and the available
water head in the reservoir. There are also significant variations within an annual cycle.
The utilization factors of differing hydropower generation plants in Pakistan during the
year 2000-2001 ranged from between approximately 17% and 76 %. The mean annual
utilization factor of the main hydropower stations is given in Table 3.1. Tarbela, with the
largest installed capacity, was 42% and Mangla was 32%.
3.5 Future Hydropower Development in Pakistan
No major new hydropower generation facility with significant water storage has been
constructed in Pakistan since Tarbela Dam in 1977. This is a significant factor in causing
the current inability to satisfy present demand for electricity. The immediate future
development program for power generation in Pakistan is to try and cover the present
serious shortfall in installed generation capacity by bringing on line fast track private
thermal power stations. It is planned to provide an additional 1,844MW by December
2009, a further 2,009MW by December 2010 and by the end of 2011 a total of 5,037MW
capacity of additional thermal power generation should be operational. By the end of
2011 it is also planned that a further 946MW of installed hydropower will be constructed
by WAPDA from 12 relatively small plants. The proposed private sector power schemes
due to come on line between January 2012 and April 2016 include 4,478MW of
hydropower and 3,820MW of thermal power generation. This includes three very large
coal fired power stations with their associated problems of environmental sustainability
and emissions. However provided that the latest available technology is used for new
coal fired power stations (closed cycle, combined heat and power with no emissions) and
they are well managed, then these three coal fired power stations using locally mined
underground coal could be used to fill the gap in generation capacity until large scale
hydropower from Diamer Basha and Dasu comes on line.
There is a need to develop environmentally sound and sustainable renewable energy

sources. It has been estimated that Pakistan has the potential to develop 40,000MW of
hydro power generation. However there are environmental constraints to such
development and it is critical that these are fully considered in the planning of such
projects. The existing reservoir at Tarbela is now being seriously compromised due to
sedimentation. Extra turbines have already been installed at Tarbela and the dam at
Mangla has been raised. The Ghazi Barotha and Chasma schemes have also recently
been brought on line. The recent raising of Mangla has increased its life by 70 years and
Chashma reservoir has now reached an equilibrium in terms of sedimentation. However
in the medium term there is an urgent need to significantly expand the hydropower
capacity of Pakistan, bearing in mind the relatively long construction periods for such
projects. The Government recently announced that the Diamer Basha project will be
implemented, with construction to start in 2009 and be completed by 2016 with an
installed capacity of 4,500MW and at an estimated cost of US$***billion. Once Diamer
Basha is in place then the Dasu dam and hydropower project becomes feasible,
providing an installed generation capacity of 4,320MW at an estimated cost of US $12
billion and operating as a run of river project requiring a relatively small maximum
reservoir area of 6,439acres (2,606ha). There are also other longer term hydropower
possibilities being considered on the Indus and its tributaries as well as off channel
storage. These are outlined in the WAPDA Vision 2025 program.
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3.6 Project Features of Dasu
The damsite and the reservoir area map of Dasu Hydropower Project is shown in Figure
3.1. The features of the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project are summarized in Table
3.2. The layout of the dam and hydropower arrangements is given in Figure 3.2. The
proposed Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) gravity dam with a crest level of 957masl
would be 233m high. The completed dam would create a reservoir requiring land
acquisition of 6,439acres (2,606ha) when the normal maximum reservoir level of
950masl is reached. This allows for a flood surcharge of 5m and a wave height of 2m.
The generating head would be 201m and the underground power house would have
eight turbines with a total maximum generation capacity of 4,320MW. The powerhouse
and transformer excavated caverns would be located on the left bank of the river and the
long tailrace tunnels would discharge back into the main Indus river at a location some
4km downstream of the dam axis measured along the river channel. The construction of
two large tunnels is proposed on the left bank in order to divert the river whilst the dam is
under construction. The dam site would be protected by cofferdams whilst it is under
construction. The concrete spillway will have a crest level of 930masl with six large radial
gates. There would be seven low level outlets for sediment sluicing and depletion of the
reservoir to low level, if needed.
3.7 Schedule for Implementation of Dasu Project
The details of the timing of the key stages in the construction of the proposed project are
given in Figure 3.3. The project construction would be completed in 8 years. As
previously explained, the construction of the dam at Dasu is dependant on the upstream
dam at Diamer Basha being constructed first. At present it is planned for Diamer Basha
to commence construction in 2009 and be completed by 2016. A crucial factor is the
need to upgrade the KKH at a higher level and with clearance, gradients and curves that
are capable of taking the materials and machinery needed for the construction of the
dam at Diamer Basha. The upgraded KKH will not only serve Diamer Basha Project but
also support the transport needs of the Dasu Project. Nevertheless, about 46 km stretch
of KKH along the proposed Dasu reservoir is located below El.957m and will therefore
be inundated when the reservoir is impounded. Replacement of this stretch of KKH will
have to be built at higher level.
The key dates for environmental assessment and management are when land
acquisition will be required. It is imperative that all legal procedures are followed for land
acquisition and people are resettled well before the contractor requires occupation of the
site. For the access roads, dam site and construction camp areas this will be during year
zero. For the reservoir area an assessment will need to be made of the flood risk during
the construction period and the likelihood of the coffer dams being fully impounded up to
805masl. Full impounding to 950m is planed to commence in year seven.
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Table 3.2 Dasu Hydropower Project Principal Project Data
Location 7 km upstream of Dasu town and

74 km downstream of Diamer Basha Dam
site
Hydrology
- Average Discharge at Dasu 2081 m3/s (73,490 cusecs)

- Average Annual Runoff Volume 65.63 BCM (53.18 MAF)
at Dasu
- Safety Check Flood (SCF) 36,640 m3/s (1,293,929 cusecs)
- Basic Design Flood (BDF) 20,908 m3/s (738,359 cusecs)
Reservoir
- Gross Storage Capacity (El.950m) 1.4 BCM (1.15 MAF)

- Operational Storage Capacity 0.83 BCM (0.67 MAF)
(El. 900 – 950m)
Diversion Tunnels
- Number and Shape 2, D-shaped

- Size and Lining 12m x 20m high, concrete lined
- Average Length 878m
- Discharge/tunnel 3500 m3/s at headwater El.805m
Cofferdams
- Type Hard Fill

- Crest Length U/s cofferdam 143m,
D/s cofferdam 88m
- Height U/s cofferdam 40m,
D/s cofferdam 17m
Main Dam
- Type RCC (Gravity)

- Maximum Height above bed rock 233m
- Crest Length 536m
- RCC Volume 4.25 MCM
Spillway
- Type Frontal, overflow, gated

- Number of Bays 6
- Type and Size of Gates Radial, 16.5 m wide x 20m high
- Maximum Discharge Capacity 28,636 m3/s
- Size of Plunge Pool 190m from dam toe
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Table 3.2 Dasu Hydropower Project Principal Project Data
Low Level Outlets
- Number and Size 7 (5.0 wide x 7.2m high)

- Shape and Lining Rectangular, steel lined
- Discharge Capacity/Outlet 814 m3/s at reservoir El.850m
Power Tunnels
- Number and Shape 8, circular

- Size and Lining 8.5m dia, concrete line
- Maximum Velocity 5.7 m/s
- Length 260m
Powerhouse
- Installed Capacity 4320 MW

- Generating of Units 8, Francis turbines
- Location Underground, left bank
- Length 306m
- Width 26m
- Height 60m
- Maximum Gross Head 201m
- Rated Discharge (8 units) 2600 m3/s (92,000 cusecs)
- Rated Voltage 21 kV
- Total Energy 21,334 GWh/annum
- Plant Factor 52%
Tailrace Tunnels
- Number and shape 4, D-shaped

- Size and lining 10m x12.5m concrete lined
- Maximum Velocity 5.6 m/s
- Discharge per Tunnel 650 m3/s
- Length 2625m
Power Transmission
- Transmission Voltage 765 kV (AC)

- Powerhouse Substation GIS, Underground
- Transmission Substation AIS, Surface
- Transmission Line Dasu – Gujar Khan – Gatti
(575 km)
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4. PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
4.1 No Project Option
The total installed power generation capacity in Pakistan in June 2007 was stated to be
17,367MW. There was load shedding of 2,868MW in the month of June 2007 as demand
could not be met from the existing installed generation capacity. The situation in June
2008 was worse still with widespread rotational load shedding. The clocks were moved
forward an hour in an attempt to cut power demand. The situation caused serious
economic losses to the country as well as being politically and socially divisive. This
situation with insufficient installed power generation capacity is very serious and
untenable.
Measures have already been taken to restrict demand by using an inverse tariff by which
larger customers using larger amounts of electricity pay a higher rate per unit. As
indicated in Section 3.5 of the report the government is now embarking upon a phased
program of fast track measures to provide additional installed generation capacity. This
is planned to rely on new private fossil fuelled thermal stations for 5,037MW (as they can
be brought on line more quickly than large scale hydropower) and government small
scale hydropower of 946MW due to come on line by the end of 2011. Between 2011 and
2016 additional generation capacity is planned to be provided, including three large coal
fired private power stations and some relatively small scale hydropower plants. It is
anticipated that the Diamer Basha hydropower project will come on line in 2016 with an
installed capacity of 4,500MW, increasing the proportion of electricity generated from
environmentally sustainable hydropower sources. A further 4,320MW would come on
line in the future if the Dasu hydropower project were to be implemented. This would
increase the proportion of power generated from hydropower still further.
The predicted peak power demands by year as given by WAPDA in their load forecast
are:
2007/2008 = 20,703MW
2008/2009 = 22,500MW
2009/2010 = 24,474MW
2010/2011 = 26,520MW
2011/2012 = 28,683MW
2012/2013 = 30,944MW
2013/2014 = 33,394MW
2014/2015 = 36,217MW
2015/2016 = 39,283MW
This is almost a doubling in an eight year period.
A crucial factor influencing electricity demand is pricing policy, particularly the structure
of the tariff. The cost of power generation using fossils fuels will inevitably increase as
fuel sources become exhausted and replacement sources are more expensive to extract
(unless there is a significant change in the technology for abstraction). This is also
influenced by the way in which hydrocarbon producing countries manage the rate at
which they abstract their fuel sources. The degree to which governments subsidize or
levy taxation on fuel sources also influences the price of power generation and this will
become more contentious as world fuel prices increase. Changing fuel prices can have
very significant economic impacts with social and political implications. The present tariff
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system for electricity in Pakistan already has an escalating tariff in which higher users of
power pay a higher unit cost. This means that the possibilities for further reducing
demand for electricity through changes in the tariff structure are already restricted.
It is obvious that electricity production in the country needs to be rapidly increased to

address the current serious shortfall relative to present demand. However the short term
measures being proposed to fill the gap rely heavily on fossil fuels which will have higher
and escalating production costs when compared to hydropower production. The
development of Diamer Basha will create additional 4,500MW of generation capacity that
is naturally renewable and emission free and restore the balance of the countries power
produced from such sources back to the 39% that it was in 2008. The construction of
Dasu hydropower project will produce an additional 4,320MW of naturally renewable
electricity with no emissions. If, for what ever reason, demand for electricity does not
increase as much as predicted, then fossil fuel generation can be appropriately reduced
or held for back up use to satisfy peak demands. Such a situation would allow greater
flexibility in power generation and give more options that would allow appropriate
optimization based upon a range of criteria, including the cost of fossil fuels and the
water needs of downstream users.
The outcome of a without project option (which implicitly assumes that Diamer Basha will
be built) is that demand for electricity may not be met and greater reliance will have to be
made on finite fossil fuel sources that create greenhouse gas emissions.
4.2 Technology Alternatives
The main sources of fuel and technology for power generation in Pakistan are thermal
power (including natural gas, oil and coal), hydro power and nuclear fusion. The
proportions of total installed capacity for these in 2007 were 61% for thermal, 37% for
hydro and 2% for nuclear.
4.2.1 Thermal Power
In Pakistan thermal power can be produced by using furnace oil, gas, diesel and coal as
fuel. All of these are non-renewable resources and are likely to increase in price in real
terms over time. Moreover furnace oil and diesel have to be imported and are at the
mercy of a range of external economic and political factors, including competition for
other uses and users. However there are some advantages that thermal fossil fuelled
power plants can have over hydropower generation but these have to be assessed on a
case by case basis:
- Transmission costs of energy produced by thermal power plants are often less as
they can be located closer to demand centres, where as hydropower plant
locations are fixed by the availability of changes in water levels.-Thermal power
stations can be constructed more rapidly than hydropower plants and are better
able to be used for addressing short term increases in overall demand.
- In Pakistan current thermal power stations (fuelled by natural gas oil) have
greater flexibility of use and are better suited to handling peak demands as
hydropower is constrained by the need to also satisfy other future water users.
- The land acquisition, resettlement and relocation problems are normally likely to
be less severe for the construction of thermal power plants than reservoirs for
hydropower generation. However this varies according to the fossil fuel source.
Opencast coal mining can be highly problematic in this respect.
- The capital cost of thermal power plants is normally much less than that of a
comparative output hydropower plant.
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Some of the above advantages have been used to justify construction of thermal power
plants in Pakistan. However the following disadvantages of thermal power plants make
them particularly unfeasible and environmentally unsustainable in the long term in
Pakistan when compared to well planned and managed hydropower generation:
- Thermal power plants use non-renewable fossil fuel sources which by definition
makes them environmentally unsustainable.
- The unit cost of energy from thermal power plants is very sensitive to fuel costs
over which the government and the nation have very limited control. Even when
the capital costs of hydropower plant construction are included (using established
discounting techniques), the cost of generation of hydropower is less than that of
fossil fuelled thermal plants.
- Thermal power plants emit gases such as NO2, SO2, and PM10 which are
significant greenhouses gases. In addition plant process and cooling water
contain toxic chemicals, including oil and grease, coolant and blow down water.
Thermal power plants are intrinsically more likely to be damaging to the
environment and a higher risk to the health of the local population.
- Pakistan is running short of natural gas which has competing uses, particularly as
a low emission fuel for vehicles. It is now government policy to try and restrict the
use of gas as a fuel for electricity generation.
- Oil and diesel have to be imported in to Pakistan and use scarce foreign
exchange. The price of oil and gas can only increase in the long term as they are
a finite resource and their availability is subject to major global economic and
political factors.
- Thermal power plants are visually obtrusive and dominate the local landscape
being aesthetically damaging. Such plants do not provide the recreational and
amenity value that well managed hydropower reservoirs can give.
It is clear that thermal power generation is inherently an environmentally poor option for
production of electricity in Pakistan and is best used to achieve short term increases in
power generation capability pending the implementation of well planned hydropower
facilities, which by their very nature take longer to plan and construct.
4.2.2 Nuclear Power
There are currently two nuclear power plants operating in Pakistan. The Karachi nuclear
power plant (KNUPP) with an installed capacity of 135MW is a heavy water reactor
supplied from Canada in 1972. The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (CHASNUPP) was
set up with assistance from China and uses liquid nuclear fuel (heavy water) and has an
installed capacity of 325MW. There are plans for an additional similar second Chinese
assisted plant also with a capacity of 325MW.
There are very serious environmental sustainability problems with nuclear power
generation, particularly the difficulties of dealing with highly hazardous waste for which
there is currently no sustainable disposal method. In addition the decommissioning of
first generation nuclear power facilities constructed in the developed countries that are
now time expired is proving highly problematic and hugely expensive. There has always
been great difficulty in obtaining the true cost of nuclear power generation capacity,
(especially when trying to include the full construction, operation and decommissioning
costs) as such facilities are often intrinsically linked to nuclear weapons programs and
are classified information. However it is starting to emerge that when all factors are
included the real cost of nuclear power generation is very high. There are also very
serious safety issues with nuclear power plants, both in their construction and operation,
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which even the richer countries of the world with all of their resources have experienced
significant problems.
The conclusion is that nuclear power generation is not economically or environmentally

sustainable. Well planned hydropower generation has inherent significant advantages
over nuclear power production from both an economic and environmental sustainability
perspective.
4.3 Alternative Hydropower Development Projects
In order to carry out a truly complete environmental comparative evaluation of all

alternatives it would be necessary to consider all of the other proposed hydropower
projects for the country and the phasing of the implementation of these based upon a set
of rational environmental criteria. This is way outside the scope and resources of the EIA
work for the Dasu Hydropower Project and is best carried out as part of an overall
strategic planning and prioritization program for the whole of the river basin, including
evaluation of cross-sectoral issues for the water, power and agricultural production
sectors. Such an evaluation should have an environmental component which identifies
environmental policy issues and how best to achieve these within the framework of
environmentally sound and sustainable development.
4.4 Dam Site Location Alternatives
Monenco identified a dam site on the Indus River at a location about 4 km upstream of
Dasu village, and about 79 km downstream of the Diamer Basha Dam axis. On
commencement of the feasibility study for the Dasu project, the Consultants identified six
additional potential dam locations within a river reach of about 7 km. These locations
were mainly identified during office studies using 1:50,000 scale SOP maps and the
latest acquired satellite imagery. All seven locations (hereinafter referred to as dam
axes), including the one proposed by Monenco (known as Axis No. 2), are shown in
Figure 3.1.
During an initial field visit, the Consultants examined the 7 km reach of the Indus river
within which the dam axes were identified. It was observed that the river reach was
geologically divided into two distinct zones, meta-diorite Igranulite in the upstream part of
the reach and amphibolite in the downstream area (see Figure 3.2 for the Khoshe fault
located at the contact of the two formations).
The downstream zone contains axes 1 to 3, and the upstream zone encompasses axes
5 to 7, whilst Axis 4 straddles the two zones. The site observations resulted in the
elimination of Axis 1, as although it was very close to the Monenco preferred site of Axis
2 the river was significantly wider at this point and did not seem to present any technical
advantage over Axis 2. Axis 7 was eliminated due to the fact that the available head was
lower and yet it did not offer any advantage over the close by Axis 5 and Axis 6. Axis 4
was eliminated because of unfavourable geotechnical and topographical conditions that
were observed during the site visit. Consequently four sites at locations 2, 3, 5 and 6
were retained for further investigations.
During the process of more detailed investigations, work on Axis 3 was suspended as
the site was found to be affected by several unfavourable geotechnical features. By
process of eliminating the unfavourable options, three axes (2, 5 and 6) were chosen as
potential candidate dam sites for further investigation with a view to finally
recommending the most optimum location for a Dam for the Dasu Hydropower Project.
Topographical surveys, geological and geotechnical investigations, environmental
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aspects and other factors were all considered and studied to a level detail required for a
comparative evaluation of the three sites to be carried out in a technically sound manner.
Planning studies for a range of differing dam types located on these three sites were also
completed. The main factors that were considered when doing the comparative
evaluation of the three sites for selection of the preferred location for the feasibility
investigation are summarized below. They included hydrological considerations,
geological and geotechnical factors, natural hazards including seismic activity, energy
production capability and environmental factors, specifically settlement inundations.
4.4.1 Hydrological Considerations
For all three of the dam sites being considered the hydrological conditions and
parameters, such as normal river flow, floods, and sediments will be effectively regulated
by the operation of the upstream dam at Diamer Basha. The inflow to the Dasu reservoir
will be a combination of the regulated outflow from Diamer Basha Dam and a small
contribution of the catchment area enclosing the Basha to Dasu reach of the Indus River.
There is no major Nallah (side stream) within the river reach containing the three sites
being compared. As a result the hydrological parameters, such as water availability,
sediment inflow, and flood conditions are similar for all three locations.
The reservoir full supply level for Dasu is governed by the tail water level of the Diamer
Basha Dam and was fixed at 950masl for purpose of the comparative evaluation of the
three selected possible dam locations. As the three locations are in such relative close
proximity, the difference in reservoir storage volume was considered negligible. As a
result the conclusion was that there were no significant hydrological advantages or
disadvantages between the three possible dam site locations.
4.4.2 Geological and Geotechnical Consideration
In the upstream reach that includes sites 5 and 6, the Indus River flows through a V
shaped symmetrical valley with slopes inclined at 35 to 40 degrees on each side of the
river. This upstream area consists mostly of bedrock terrain, either as exposed outcrop
or concealed by a thin veneer of unconsolidated material whereas the river channel
beneath the flow is covered alluvial deposits. The bedrock consists predominantly of
meta-diorite/granulite which is grey, coarsely crystalline, very strong and generally non-
foliated in surface outcrop. The data from the right bank boreholes indicates that
weathering effect exist to a few meters depth.
The lower reach contains Axis 2. At this site the right bank consists of a series of scarps
and narrow benches and has an overall high inclination angle of nearly 50 degrees. The
left side slope has more gentle profile with a steep scarp over the river edge and then the
gentle topography. It has an overall slope of about 35 degrees. Above river level the area
mostly consists of bedrock terrain, either exposed or covered by unconsolidated
material. The bedrock of the left bank lower reach consists predominantly of amphibolite
gneiss with some schistose phases. The rock has dark grey banding, is coarsely
crystalline, strong to very strong and moderately foliated. The data from the right bank
boreholes indicate that weathering extends to a few meters in depth.
From the above stated geological condition, it is evident that all the three candidate sites
can be considered suitable for a high dam. A comparison of the three sites reveals that
Axis 5 and Axis 6 seem to be more preferable sites on geological and geotechnical
consideration than Axis 2.
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4.4.3 Seismic and Other Natural Hazards
Seismic Hazard
The Kohistan Arc region is characterized by significant seismic activity. It is clear from
the available data that the area is subject to relatively severe earthquakes and that a
dam will have to be designed to contend with these conditions requiring the use of
appropriate design criteria. This condition is equally applicable to all the three sites.
Detailed neo-tectonic studies were carried out and the results were given in a report
submitted in June 2007. The outcome of the studies revealed that the fault on the left
bank (see Figure 3.2) is inactive therefore can be crossed by the tailrace tunnels to
increase the head and power generation capabilities at sites 5 and 6 whilst avoiding
flooding the area between axis 2 and axis 5.
Other Natural Hazards
The natural hazards which can affect the stability of the dam and storage volume of the
reservoir include large landslides (particularly those into the reservoir upstream of a
dam), glacial lake outburst floods, and debris flows. Reconnaissance studies have not
delineated any significant natural hazards that may threaten the project in the catchment
area of the dam downstream of the Diamer Basha dam site. There are however
significant hazards upstream of Diamer Basha and these have been addressed in the
studies for that project. The risk of any possible natural hazards having an impact on the
Dasu project have been fully evaluated during the course of studies and are written up in
Section 6 of this report and summarized in Section 9. Such risk analysis is an essential
requirement for any hydropower project.
Valley Cross-Sections
The valley cross-sections at the three selected sites were surveyed by WAPDA. Their
configurations bear general similarity in shape and side slopes but Axis 5 is relatively
narrower and hence the volume of the dam and which results in the cost of a dam at Axis
5 being less than one at Axis 2 or Axis 5.
4.4.4 Energy Production Considerations
The nominal generating capacities and average annual total energy, as well as the four
hour peaking energy produced at each of the different dam sites assuming a short tunnel
layout is given below in Table 4.1.
Table 4.1 Summary of Energy Production and Value

Item Axis 6 Axis 5 Axis 2
Generating Capacity (MW) 4,000 4,069 4,320
Average Firm Energy (GWh) 16,485 16,762 17,802
Average Secondary Energy (GWh) 2,565 2,619 2,810
Total Energy (GWh) 19,050 19,381 20,613
*Annual Value ( Million US$) 419 427 454
*Present Value (Million US$) 3,901 3,970 4,221
*Incremental Value (Million US$) - 103 484
From the above analysis it is evident that Axis 2 is more advantageous in terms of
energy production when compared to Axis 5 and Axis 6. Approximately 6 to 8% more
energy can be produced with a dam located at Axis 2. This is not surprising as it is the
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most downstream site of the three. However subsequent re-optimization of the design
has allowed a dam located at Axis 5 to have the same power output as one at Axis 2.
4.4.5 Environmental Considerations
The estimated incremental environmental costs of likely impacts of dams located at Axes
6, 5 and 2, considering Axis 6 as the baseline are given in Table 4.2 below. These costs
mainly relate to losses of land and immovable assets within the area of permanent
works, particularly the reservoir, using a limit of 957masl.
Table 4.2 Summary of Relative Direct Environmental and Resettlement

Incremental Costs using Axis 6 as a Base
Axis Comparative Additional Cost
(Million Rs.)
6 0
5 81
2 1,105.5
From the above data of the environmental losses from the three dam locations, it is
evident that purely on the environmental considerations, Axis 2 is more problematic
when compared Axes 5 and 6. However this has to be offset against the fact that initial
analysis using the short tunnel configuration, a dam at Axis 2 was able to produce an
estimated 6 to 8% more energy than a dam at Axis 5 or 6.
The analysis of the comparative environmental impacts between a dam located at Axis 2
and one at Axis 5 has subsequently been refined and the results are summarized in
Table 4.3. The number of people displaced and houses flooded, along with the land
areas and their use, have been estimated using detailed satellite imagery and field
ground truthing. It can be clearly seen that using a dam located at Axis 5 rather than at
Axis 2 results in a 52% reduction in the number of people directly adversely affected by
the construction of the project (reduced from 7,670 down to 3,670). The reason for this is
the fact that using Axis 5 saves the settlement of Seo from being flooded, along with a
historically important mosque and also a graveyard. There is also a 64% reduction in the
total number of buildings lost and significantly the loss of agricultural land is reduced by
57%, despite the fact that the total land loss area is reduced by only 13%. This is due to
the concentration of agricultural land between Axis 2 and Axis 5 when compared to the
rest of the reservoir area.
The loss of power generation potential that would initially occur from moving the dam site
from Axis 2 to Axis 5 was relatively small (320mw, a reduction of 7%) but nearly all of this
has subsequently been recovered by optimizing changes in the engineering design.
Far more importantly, the use of Axis 5 rather than Axis 2 avoids the need for remote
resettlement of some 4,000 people which would have been technically, politically and
socially difficult and disruptive. By moving the dam site from Axis 2 to Axis 5 there are
highly significant gains in reducing environmental impact and avoiding social conflict
which could otherwise be highly divisive and have political and security implications.
Another significant factor is that it allows the existing KKH road bridge at Dasu to be
retained as a major river crossing point of the Indus, where as a dam at Axis 2 would
need the crossing relocated due to the unacceptable gradients that would result from
using the existing bridge location.
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Table 4.3 Environmental Impacts - Loss Reduction of Axis 2 and Axis 5 Compared
Difference
Sr. of Percent
Item Unit Axis-2 Axis 5
No. Axis 2 & Reduction
Axis 5 in Losses
1 Population No. 7670 3670 4000 52
2 Housing Units No. 778 278 500 64
3 Land Acres 7363 6439 924 13
4 Agriculture Land Acres 197 84 113 57
5 Grazing Area Acres 54 51 3 6
6 Barren Land Acres 4855 4201 654 13
7 Forest Trees No. 22149 20000 2149 10
8 KKH Km 51 46 4 8
Notes:
1. The village elders of Seo village called a Jirga at which it was decided to exclude
the settlement of the Seo area from the Project area.
2. The population of the Seo village area, comprising 4000 person which would
probably have to be resettled in remote location, was saved.
3. One graveyard comprising 5000 graves would have been submerged with a dam
at Axis 2. The inhabitants of Seo insisted that this be avoided.
4. A very old wooden mosque of historical importance was also saved as desired by
the Seo village elders, by shifting the dam axis from site 2 to 5.
5. Losses in potential power generation capacity due to shifting of the dam axis
were recovered through engineering design solutions.
6. Construction of a dam at Axis 2 would require relocation and/or reconstruction of
the exisitng Dasu bridge of the KKH over the Indus river.
4.5 Types of Dam
4.5.1 Comparison of Alternatives
Four different types of dams were evaluated for use at Dasu. They were:
- Earth Core Rockfill Dam (ECRD)

- Concrete Face Rockfill Dam (CFRD)
- Concrete Gravity Dam (CGD). This includes Arch Gravity Concrete Dam (AGCD)
- Roller Compacted Concrete Gravity Dam (RCCD)
The field studies confirmed that there is no source of impervious material in the vicinity of
project area, which could be used in core of an Earth Core Rockfill dam. The possibility
of using an ECRD was therefore excluded. In case of a thin arch dam, there are more
specific and rigorous requirements for foundation conditions than the three other types,
especially when located in an area of high seismic risk and was also discounted.
CFRD and RCC dams were considered at all the identified axis locations. The selection
of differing types of dams at the locations was on the basis of geological conditions and
configuration of the individual axis. Accordingly preliminary layouts were prepared for the
two selected dam types (CFRD and RCC) to allow an initial assessment to be carried
out. Comparative cost estimation has been carried out of the two alternative types of
dam at the three selected locations (2, 5 and 6).
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4.5.2 Cost Considerations
Detailed cost estimations have been prepared for six alternatives (two types of dam at
three locations) by using the material quantities required and multiplying these with unit
rates. The costs of the dams, broken down by construction component and including
resettlement costs, are given in Table 4.4. These estimates are based on a short tunnel
configuration and their main use is for comparison purposes. The ranking of these shows
a RCCD dam located at Axis 5 to be the lowest cost.
Table 4.4 Comparative Ranking of Construction Costs by Axis and Dam Type
(Short tunnel layout in Million U.S.$)
Item. Axis & Type Axis 2 Axis 5 Axis 6
of Dam
No. Item RCCD CFRD RCCD CFRD RCCD CFRD
Preliminary Works
1 385.6 405.1 366.9 406.2 373.3 383.2
and Diversion
Dam Body /
2 357.9 215.9 278.8 171.6 340.1 170.8
Embankment
Spillway and
3 211.0 726.2 192.9 860.8 240.1 1044.1
Outlet Works
Power House and
4 568.8 576.6 582.6 594.0 656.6 688.1
Equipment
5 Transmission 854.2 854.2 855.2 855.2 856.2 856.2
Relocation /
6 210.7 210.7 191.6 191.6 185.4 185.4
Resettlement
7 Construction Cost 2588.0 2988.7 2468.0 3079.6 2651.7 3327.8
8 Cost Ranking 2 4 1 5 3 6
The cost comparison for the two dam types at three locations against the capable
installed generating capacity and the net energy benefits of these are given in Table 4.5.
Table 4.5 Comparative Costs

(Construction, Energy Benefits and Environmental Cost in Million U.S.$.)
Generating Discounted Net Relocation/
Construction
Axis Type of Dam Capacity Energy Resettlement
Cost
(MW) Benefits Cost
2 RCCD 4,320 2588.0 6371.0 210.7
CFRD 4,320 2988.7 6371.0 210.7
5 RCCD 4,280 2468.0 5990.0 191.6
CFRD 3079.6 5990.0 191.6
6 RCCD 2651.7 5887.0 185.4
CFRD 3327.8 5887.0 185.4
4.5.3 Main Observations
All three dam locations (Axis 2, Axis 5 and Axis 6) have been found competitive for Dasu
Hydropower Project. The topography and geology at all three locations are suitable for
ECRD, CFRD, and Concrete Dam (CGD, AGD, and RCCD). However an ECRD is
economically not feasible due to the non availability of impervious material within
economic haulage distance.
At Axis 2 geological conditions are relatively poorer than the other two sites but are still
considered acceptably adequate for construction of the requisite large dam. The
difference in geological conditions to some extent has been reflected in the cost
evaluation in that poorer conditions require additional construction work. However it is
prudent that issues like risk factors and levels of confidence associated with uncertain
features should also be taken into account. These include the issue of the geological
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phenomenon of suspected ancient landslide/mass movement features on the left bank of

river in the lower reach which may have some serious implications for a dam constructed
at Axis 2 .
An RCC dam produces the least cost option at all three locations when compared to the
other dam types. The estimated length of time of construction for an RCC dam is shorter
than CFRD option which results in the benefits coming on line earlier which has
economic advantages.
A dam located at Axis 2 has the most adverse environmental and resettlement impacts.
The resettlement problem with a dam at Axis 2 is twice as serious in terms of numbers of
people displaced as dams located at Axis 5 or Axis 6. The initial estimates of
environmental mitigation costs indicate that compared to the initial construction cost
estimates that they are relatively low at around 3.6%. The calculation of energy benefits
indicated that the short tunnel arrangement at Axis 2 produces a similar output as an
optimized long tunnel arrangement at Axis 5 or Axis 6.
The maximum full supply level of the reservoir is fixed at 950masl by the location of
Diamer Basha dam. The crest level of 957masl is also optimized for any of the dam
locations based upon the maximum full supply level of the reservoir. Dam heights are
therefore lower at the upstream dam locations, being 187m above river bed level at Axis
6, 193m at Axis 5 and 207m at Axis 2.
A surface power house was initially considered possible at both Axis 2 and Axis 5,
whereas at Axis 6 only an underground power house was considered feasible. However
available suitable land is at a premium at all sites and the proposed design for a dam at
Axis 5 has an underground powerhouse.
The initial comparative total base cost of a RCC dam at Axis 5 is the least of the three
sites. However the initial comparison with a short tunnel option indicated that the
maximum install power generation capacity was greatest with a dam at Axis 2 (see Table
4.1).
4.6 Conclusions and Recommendations of the Comparative Dam Location

Analysis
Based on the above observations and taking into consideration all the factors described
in the previous sections, including geological, geotechnical and other technical aspects
along with economic and environmental considerations, the Consultants were of the
considered view that an RCC gravity dam at Axis 5 is the most preferred option for the
implementation of Dasu Hydropower Project due to the following advantages over dams
located at Axis 6 and Axis 2:
Advantages of Axis 5 over Axis 6:
• The total base cost of the project with a dam at Axis 5 is less than one at Axis 6
and also that at Axis 2.
• The energy benefits are slightly higher (2%) at Axis 5 when compared to Axis 6.
Advantages of Axis 5 over Axis 2:
• The total base cost of the project with a dam at Axis 5 is less than at Axis 2.
• The dam height at Axis 5 is significantly less (14m) than at Axis 2.
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• Environmental and resettlement issues are considerably less (54% fewer people
will need to be relocated) with a dam at Axis 5 when compared to one at Axis 2.
• There is no apparent unresolved geotechnical issue to the development of a dam
at Axis 5 where as a dam at Axis 2 would need to investigate the potential
landslide problem on the left bank upstream of Axis 2.
• Although the energy benefits are slightly higher with a dam at Axis 2 (6% greater)
when compared to Axis 5, the more significant and sensitive social and
environmental issues with a dam at Axis 2 give Axis 5 a distinct advantage. The
significant additional height required for a dam at Axis 2 (which involves higher
risks and complications) and also the need to address the landslide risk on the
right bank also give Axis 5 an advantage over a dam located at Axis 2. The re-
optimization of the design at Axis 5 has in any case managed to increase the
power generation capacity to be the same as that with a dam located at Axis 2.
As a result of the above conclusions it was recommended that an RCC dam located at
Axis 5 be selected to be taken for full feasibility study. The favored option that has
emerged is for a RCC dam located at Axis 5 with an inlet on the left bank to an
underground powerhouse and a set of long tunnels to the tailrace discharge at the Axis 2
location. Diversion tunnels on the left bank would be constructed to allow the dam to be
built. This optimized option using long tunnels now has an installed generation capacity
of 4,320MW. The layout is given in Figure 3.2. The decision to use Axis 5 rather than
Axis 2 was greatly influenced by the significantly higher resettlement problems created
by a dam located at Axis 2 rather than at Axis 5. This clearly demonstrates that early
incorporation of environmental considerations into project planning can avoid significant
potential adverse impacts.
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5. PROJECT SCOPING AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION
5.1 Project Scoping
Scoping is a vital step which identifies the issues that are likely to be important during the
environmental assessment and eliminates those that are not. Scoping is a process of
interaction between the interested public, government agencies and the proponent.
Scoping refers to the process of identifying:
- The appropriate boundaries of the environmental assessment

- The important issues and concerns
- The information necessary for decision making
- The significant impacts and factors to be considered
Public consultations are one of the important inputs to the environmental study and the
overall planning of the project to achieve environmentally appropriate designs that will
address adverse impacts. It is a requirement of the Environment Protection Agency of
Pakistan to conduct public consultations for proposed projects. Similarly both the World
Bank and the Asian Development Bank require that public consultation be an intrinsic
part of the environmental assessment process.
5.2 The Nature of Public Consultation
The nature of public consultation can vary greatly in terms of the degree of involvement
of people at different stages of the planning and implementation of a proposed project. It
is also important to clearly identify the differing groups of people who have an interest in
the proposed project and understand their concerns. Of particular importance are those
people who could be disadvantaged as a result of the proposed intervention. It is critical
that these affected groups are identified early in the planning of a project so that ways of
minimizing the potential adverse effects can be identified in collaboration with them.
The key people who will be directly affected by the project are those people who live and
have immovable assets in the proposed reservoir area. The limit of the reservoir area
has been defined as being all land upstream of the dam axis and that lies below
957masl. In addition there will be other people who could have their economic livelihood
adversely affected due to complex social and economic linkages, including those living
downstream of the proposed dam axis.
Informed public participation in the environmental review process encompasses

consultation with those both directly and indirectly involved with the project. The groups
who have an indirect interest are people who have a concern or expertise or may have
relevant information regarding the nature, scope, and particulars of potential effects.
Examples are NGOs, professional societies (such as Engineers), experts on cultural
property, or those concerned with environmental quality. There are also important groups
who work for human rights, anti-poverty and religious organizations. There is also key
Government staff, at all levels, who have a role to play in the design and implementation
of the proposed project. A listing of the people who have been consulted so far about the
project is attached as Annex D.
5.3 Results of Public Consultation to Date
5.3.1 Selection of Dam Axis Location
As has been indicated in Section 4.3, the location of the selected axis for the proposed
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dam was moved in response to public reaction. Of the seven locations considered (see
Figure 3.1), numbers 1, 3, 4 and 7 were eliminated on geological grounds. When
investigation drilling was started at Axis 2, local people resident in the settlement of Seo,
just upstream of the location on the right bank, held a meeting (known as a Jirga) on the
24th June 2006. The outcome of the Jirga was a written statement to the Consultants
(See Annex E for copies of the correspondence on this, including the letter in Urdu with
an explanation letter in English), copied to relevant government officers. The letter
indicated that a dam at Axis 2 with a reservoir full supply level of 950masl was not
favored by the people at Seo as it would result in the inundation of a large number of
houses, a 400 year old mosque and also a significant graveyard. They proposed that the
dam location be moved upstream to Axis 5. A list of the Jirga members involved is
included in Annex D. A copy of the letter was forwarded by the DHP Consultant to
WAPDA. After extensive investigation, including structured interviews and discussions
with local people outside the historic mosque (see Plate 7), a decision was taken by
WAPDA on the 25th May 2007 to select Axis 5 for the Feasibility Study rather than Axis 2.
By using Axis 5 rather than Axis 2 the number of people to be resettled was reduced by
52% (from 7670 down to 3670) and the number of buildings that would have been
inundated if the dam had been constructed at Axis 2 was reduced by 64% to 278. The
loss of agricultural land was also reduced by 57%. With the re-optimization of the design
the change of dam location was possible without any loss in generation capacity. This is
a clear demonstration of the advantages of early consultation and impact analysis where
adverse impacts were avoided for no loss in the benefit of the proposed intervention.
5.3.2 Consultation with Affected People
Structured interviews were held at various locations in the Project Area and also along
the downstream riparian reach of the river. In all 262 households (HH) were randomly
selected for interview out of the 414 HH known to be directly affected by asset loss in the
reservoir area. A further 340 HH were selected for interview from the 1950 HH resident
in the lower riparian area. The details are given in Appendix D, Socioeconomic Survey.
Of the 30 businesses affected, 21 were also sampled for survey. The data was collected
and analyzed and is available in Appendix D. A special effort was made by the
environmental assessment team to interview the people who had seasonally migrated to
the mountain tops during the summer and would not return to valley floor until November
2007.
5.3.3 Discussion with Local Government Officials
Members of the environmental assessment team visited the Project Area on several
occasions during the study period. Discussions were held with Local Government
Officials at Dasu, Chilas and Pattan about the DHP and its possible environmental
impact. A list of the Officials met is included in Annex D.
.
5.3.4 Discussions with WAPDA’s Environment Cell (WEC)
The Environment Cell of WAPDA deals with the environmental supervision of WAPDA
projects. In order to establish the present status of the cell, their role and the future
needs of the Dasu Hydropower Project, consultations were held with them. The meeting
was held with the WAPDA staff listed in Appendix D. The current nature of the
organization, staffing and capability of the WAPDA Environment Directorate was also
discussed with the Director General WEC.
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5.3.5 Project Disclosure to Experts in Engineering Consultancy Companies
The Project was explained to Mr. Anis Ahmed Chaudry, an eminent Environmentalist
with extensive work experience in the Northern Areas and the reach of the Indus River
where the DHP is located. The nature of the expected lost assets was outlined and the
proposed strategy for relocation to minimize livelihood disruption was elaborated. The
question of disruption to communications for people living on the right bank of the river
was raised and the need to provide an adequate replacement network. Such a network
would also assist in improving health and education provision in the area which should
be part of the resettlement and rehabilitation package offered to displaced people. In
order to try and increase the cash income of displaced people it was suggested to
promote the cultivation of fruit trees. Mr. Chaudry also recommended that consultation
be widened to include the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Pakistan, the Federal
EPA, the NWFP EPA as well as WAPDA and the Local Government at Dasu. The results
of consultation with the WWF are indicated below. Wider consultation with some of the
other institutions will be best left to the next stage of the project planning process when
there will be a clearer idea of the possible timing of implementation of the Dasu project.
5.3.6 Project Disclosure to WWF Experts
The WWF are an international NGO who are deeply involved in international
environmental conservation of wildlife, including birds. They are involved in Pakistan in
conservation of the Blind Dolphin in the Indus River, along with many other conservation
activities. A meeting was held with Mr. Rizwan Mehmood, (Project Manager) of the WWF
in Lahore on the 2nd November 2007. The DHP was explained to him and he was asked
to comment on his concerns, if any. His comments were:
• Being a run of river project with no consumptive use, the DHP shall have no
affect on the Blind Dolphin in the Indus River.
• The DHP is unlikely to have any impact on mangroves.
• The DHP will have no impact on riverine forests along the Indus River.
• The DHP is unlikely to have any impact on wildlife which lives in the government
managed forests which are located above 7000 ft (2134masl).
• The game reserve area in Sammar Nullah should be respected. This is the area
where Markhor (capra falconeri) live.
• The birds living in the Palas area in Kohistan District (which is about 30km
downstream from dam site) are rare and are considered endangered. Since bird
habitat boundaries are not firmly fixed, their presence or visits in the Project area
should be carefully examined. Protection should be provided if their presence is
reported, particularly during the breeding season. Blasting should be avoided
near any locations where they are found. Identification of possible locations can
be carried out by finding similar tree types in the Project area that they use in
Palas.
• The EIA reports, once prepared by the Consultants for the Proponent (WAPDA)
must be submitted by WAPDA to the EPA for Project Clearance as required by
law.
5.3.7 Project Disclosure to Religious Groups (Imams at Dasu)
Details of the proposed project were given to the following religious leaders:
- Molvi Muzamail, Imam of the Seo historical mosque on the 6th November 2007
- Molvi Ismail, Naib Imam of the Kumila mosque on the 7th November 2007
- Molvi Roshan Khan, Imam of Chhoochang village on the 4th November 2007
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Religious leaders are important influences on the opinions of people in Dasu. The Chief
Imams at Kumila, Dasu and Seo are critical carriers of information, including their
sermons at Friday prayer each week. They are also arbiters, as well as being important
personalities. All of the mosques which are going to be directly displaced by the project
are located at police check posts. There is no Imam attached to these mosques and
these buildings will be relocated when police check posts are replaced.
5.4 Future Public Consultation Requirements
The procedure for future public consultation for the DHP is that the EIA report is an open
public document. The whole Feasibility Study Report will be reviewed by WAPDA, but a
decision to go ahead with the next stage of detailed design is intrinsically linked with the
decision to construct the Diamer Basha dam upstream of Dasu. Only if and when the
decision to construct Diamer Basha is confirmed and implemented will it be sensible to
consider moving to the next detailed design stage of the DHP. If Diamer Basha is to be
implemented then the timing of the planned commencement of construction of the DHP
would logically be after construction of Diamer Basha was completed. It is thus a long
time in the future and care is needed not to raise people’s fears and expectations
unrealistically. If and when the implementation of the DHP is confirmed, then a detailed
enumeration of lost assets will be needed as part of the preparation of a Resettlement
Action Plan (RAP). The drawing up of a RAP will require a full program of public
consultation and dissemination of appropriate information down to the level of individual
affected household. In the meantime care must be taken to ensure that people are kept
informed and that an atmosphere of uncertainty is not fostered in the area.
5.5 Other Relevant Proposed Developments
WAPDA has prepared a 25 year development plan entitled “Water Resources and
Hydropower Development – Vision 2025 Program” covering the whole of the country.
There are three time phases identified, short term (2001 to 2006), medium term (2006 to
2011) and long term (2011 to 2025).
In addition to the Diamer Basha Dam, located upstream of Dasu, another dam on the
Indus at Bunji, 173km upstream of Diamer Basha, is being designed. This would be a
run of river hydropower generation project. A dam is currently under construction at
Satpara (sometimes called Sadpara) on a side tributary of the Indus near Sakardu
upstream of Bunji (See Figure 1.3).
Downstream of Dasu on the Indus there is the existing dam at Tarbela and one of the
justifications for construction of the dam at Diamer Basha is to catch sediment and
manage the flow into Tarbela. There is also an existing run of river hydropower project
downstream of Tarbela at Ghazi-Barotha (See Figure 1.3). There are proposals for a
dam between Dasu and Tarbela at Thakot and for a dam downstream of Tarbela at
Kalabagh. There is also a potential hydropower dam site identified at Pattan on the Indus
river downstream of Dasu but upstream of Thakot.
The phasing and conjunctive management of the proposed development of the Indus
with construction of the dam at Diamer Basha as a pre-condition to the DHP is complex
from an environmental analysis point of view. The operation of Diamer Basha to firstly
manage the inflow into Tarbela reservoir and then later for both the DHP and Tarbela
reservoir will have to satisfy both hydropower generation criteria and the downstream
demands for irrigation.
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A requirement for the construction of Diamer Basha dam is that the KKH will have to be
upgraded to allow plant and materials needed for the dam to be transported to site. This
includes ensuring that the bridges are strong enough to take the expected weight
loadings and also that the gradients, bends and clearances (both width and height) are
adequate. There will also be a need to realign the KKH upstream of Diamer Basha to
ensure that it is above the full supply level of the proposed reservoir. The detailed
planning for this is already underway by the National highway Authority (NHA) and is
subject to a separate environmental assessment. The possible future need to relocate
the sections of the KKH that currently lie below 960masl within the proposed Dasu
reservoir has been recognized but is currently not part of the KKH improvement works.
The construction of the power transmission lines from Diamer Basha would be a major
job and require a separate EIA. The planning of the power line route would also need to
consider possible future additional lines from the DHP.
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6. EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SITUATION,

CONSTRAINTS AND NEEDS
6.1 General
6.1.1 Purpose of Baseline Study
The environment impact assessment (EIA) of a project tries to concentrate on various

parameters; in an effort to predict quantitatively or qualitatively the likely impacts of the
project on the people, domestic animals, wild animals, birds, plants, aquatic life and
forests etc. The impacts would involve the effects on water quality, micro climate,
flooding, reservoir induced seismic activity, increased tourism, increased economic
activity, fishery, possible increase of some specific diseases, dislocation of business &
livelihood of affectees, loss of agricultural land, restriction and impediments to free travel
across the reservoir created by the dam. The purpose of Baseline Study is to identify
resources likely to be affected e.g. existing infrastructure such as roads, suspension
bridges on Indus river, houses/buildings, commercial buildings, school/college buildings,
mosques, cultivated land, trees, jeepable tracks, dispensaries, police posts and the
social conditions of the inhabitants. Figure 6.1 shows the catchment area of the project
while processed Satellite Imageries are attached as Annexure-II.
The study aims to identify and quantify the available information and establish all the
environmental parameters for baseline conditions prevailing before the execution of the
project. This information is used as a reference datum to compare future changes and
judge them if the conditions have changed for better or worse.
6.1.2 Methodology
Based on consultant’s experience, review of applicable laws and guidelines (local and
international), study of available maps and data collected through secondary sources,
processed satellite imagery and results of reconnaissance and initial survey, Study Area
was delineated. For the collection of baseline settings in the Study Area, it was divided
into three groups namely, Reservoir Area, Catchment Area and Lower Riparian Area.
Consultant’s team comprising Environmental Engineer, Socio-economist, Sociologist,

Ecologist, Aquatic Expert, Resettlement Expert and Enumerators carried out the baseline
study surveys of the Study Area. Reconnaissance field visits were initially made by all
the team members to get familiarized with the Study Area. This was followed by
preparation of each expert prepared a checklist for the collection of baseline data for the
all important parameters of physical, ecological and socio-economic environment of the
Study Area. For the collection of socio-economic data various performa and
questionnaires were developed.
Meetings and scoping sessions with all the project stakeholders were held for disclosure
of information and verification of baseline data collected during field visit. Government
offices were visited to obtain the latest published documents related to the Study Area.
For environmental monitoring and testing WAPDA organized with Pakistan Space and
Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) for collection of samples and
laboratory tests to record pollution levels of the existing environment. Information
collected for engineering aspects of the project such as geology, geotechnical, hydrology
etc was also used as needed.
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6.2 Natural Physical Environment
6.2.1 Climatological Parameters
The climatological stations around the Project Area are located at: (a) Chilas located
113 km upstream of Dasu (b) Kandia Bridge located 23 km upstream of Dasu (c) Pattan
located 45 km downstream of Dasu (d) Besham Qila located 85 km downstream of
Dasu. Chilas has data for 1953-2006, Kandia was established in 2005, Pattan was
established in 2003 and Besham Qila data is available for the period 1970-2005. The
climatological parameters available from these stations are summarized below.
Climatological Parameters at Chilas, Pattan and Besham Qila

Mean Monthly
Mean Monthly Mean Monthly
Temperature
Station Perception Pan Evaporation
(°C)
(mm) (mm)
Max. Min.
Chilas 196.7 40.9 -0.1 -
Pattan 1293.7 37.9 4.9 -
Besham Qila 1098.7 45.6 2.2 2033
The Isohytal map of Upper Indus area show average rainfall of 1000mm at Besham Qila
which decreases northward. Therefore towards Dasu, Chilas and further north the
annual rainfall decreases considerably.
The mean monthly temperatures recorded nearest to Dasu (at Pattan, 45 km

downstream) are maximum 37.5 co and minimum 4.0 co.The mean annual rainfall rapidly
decreases from over 1000 mm in Besham Qila and Pattan area to northwards to below
200 mm in Chilas. The annual mean rainfall in the Dasu Project area is accordingly
small.
Using Pan Evaporation chart for Pakistan, it is estimated that the Project area will
experience 1420 mm/year of lake evaporation. A factor of 0.7 is used to convert pan
evaporation to lake evaporation. Thus the evaporation losses from Dasu reservoir are
estimated as 0.017 MAF/year evaporation.
6.2.2 Environmental Monitoring
Ambient air quality and water quality monitoring was performed by SUPARCO in two
phases; Phase – I in high flow condition (July-August 2007) and Phase – II in low flow
condition (January 2008) of Indus River.
a) Ambient air quality and Noise Level
Ambient air quality and Noise level monitoring was performed at three sites viz. Harban
Bridge (SW-1), Summer Nallah (SW-2) and at Dam Axis-5 (SW-3) with online analyzers
for SO2, NOx, CO1 CO2 PM10, HC and Noise level (dB). Results of ambient air quality
were evaluated against United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), World
Bank & World Health Organization (WHO) standards. During monitoring in summer and
winter in the two phases, the results of ambient air and noise level were found within
international limits at all sampling sites. Hence environmental condition at selected
sampling site complies with international standard limits.
(b) Comparison of Ambient Air Quality during Summer and Winter
The Indus River at Dasu records high flow in summer (July-August) and low flow in
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winter (late January) every year. The baseline ambient conditions of high flow and low
flow were compared and presented in Tables 6.1 below. The overall comparison shown
the slightly high level for SO2, CO1, CO2 and PM10 were recorded during low flow (Phase
II). Comparatively low levels were observed for HC in Phase II at all sampling sites.
However a little decline in NOx level was observed in Phase II. PM10 level at site 3 Dam
Axis 5 has also decreased in Phase II.
(c) Smoke
The Project area is remotely located and there are no industrial plants of any type
located in the area. The air quality is good. The air is fresh and no smells are
experienced. The river corridor experience higher wind speed, which is considered as a
wind tunnel effect not relevant to Dasu area.
(d) Dust
The Project area from Dasu dam site to Diamer-Basha Dam site is rugged, rocky and
relatively dry. The winds in the Indus River valley corridor induce sand/dust blowing
during low flow seasons. The sand blown by wind is a common phenomenon in the
valley, however in Dasu Hydropower Project area its intensity is lesser due to the narrow
river valley.
Besides this, only man made source of dust is from the traffic passing on jeep able dirt
roads. No quantitative measurement was made. The sand blowing by wind, as
mentioned above, is influencing the environment as it can be seen deposited on valley
slopes. This is a natural phenomenon. The Dasu dam and its reservoir will have positive
effect to eliminate this sand blowing.
(e) Water Quality
Water samples were collected from 11 sites, 5 from Indus River (one each from Harban
Bridge, Summer nallah (SW-2), At Dam Axis-5, 1 Km Dam Axis-5 and After Dasu. The
remaining 6 from the nallahs joining Indus river included one each from Kandia river,
Summer nallah, Darel River, Uchar nallah, Barsin nallah and Churi nallah). However
Water Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Specific Conductance and pH values were taken
at the spot according to the ASTM guidelines (ASTM D 6764-02 (2007). These 11
samples were analyzed for 42 parameters.
(f) Comparison of Summer and Winter Water Samples
A comparison of Phase I (summer) and Phase II (winter) results of water samples is

given in Table 6.2. Comparatively high level for BOC, COD, TDS, TSS, Chloride,
Sodium, lodine, Sulfate, Sulphide, Coliform, Lead, Mananese, Iron, Boron were observed
in winter, while nitrogen ammonia, copper, chromium, cadmium, nickel, arsenic,
selenium, barium level slightly reduced in winter sampling. Pesticides were not detected
at Harban Bridge site, however comparatively less level for alpha-BHC, Gamma-BHC, 4,
4-DDT were found at Summer nallah, at 1 km d/s of Axis 5 and downstream of Dasu in
winter. Chlorine, mercury and phenolic compounds were not detected in winter River
samples. In nallah samples the comparatively higher concentrations were found in winter
for turbidity, hardness, BOD, COD, TDS, TSS (Kandia River, Summer Nallah, Uchhar
Nallah, Barseen Nallah), Chloride, Sodium, Flouride (Kandia River, Summer Nallah,
Darel River,Uchhar Nallah and Churi Nallah), lodine, Sulfate, Sulphide, coliforms except
at Kandia river, copper, cadmium, lead, manganese, iron, boron, chlorine, cyanide,
silver, phenolic compounds and pesticide (at Summer Nallah, Darel River). Mercury was
not detected in winter samples.
6-3
Results of water sample of river and nullahs were compared against USEPA fresh water
standard and found within international limits at all sampling sites. Hence environmental
condition at selected sampling site complies with international standard limits.
6.3 Land Use
For the purpose of environmental study, the Study Area comprises is made the following:
Area upstream of the dam axis upto elevation 957m (reservoir area) = 6,326 acres
Area downstream of dam axis = 113 acres
Total = 6,439 acres
The project area land use can be classified as follows:
- KKH: This road cuts through the entire project area. This is all weather road
constructed in 1976 with the joint efforts of China and FWO of Pakistan Army.
- Jeepable Roads: These roads connect the village settlements on left/right bank
valleys to KKH. The forest and agriculture produce reach the market through
these roads.
- Township Roads: The township road in Seo connecting the Seo town to KKH.
- Agriculture Land: The cultivated land, in the form of terraces, has been developed
over centuries. The reservoir shall submerge 78 acres of agricultural land.
- Houses/buildings in villages and towns: The affected village settlements shall
become the part of the reservoir.
- Timber Storage: The timber cut from forests is considered joint property of the
owner tribes in the valleys. This is brought to the valley for temporary storage
before it is sold to the contractors. Timber storages are scattered in the reservoir
area.
- Trees/Orchard: The trees exist in valleys, some of which shall submerge.
- Barren Land: Most of land in the reservoir area is rocky and gravelly and is
unproductive. This is about 66% of the reservoir area.
- Reservoir Area: The proposed Dasu reservoir is 73.6 km long, having an average
width of 733 m only. The reservoir area at dam crest level, El 957 m is 24.5 km2.
6.4 Natural Biological Environment
6.4.1 Terrestrial Ecology
The flora of the area consists of variety of trees, grass, shrubs and agriculture out put. All
these shall benefit from the dam reservoir due to increased humidity.
The Study Area of Dasu Hydropower Project has immense bio-diversity especially in the
reservoir area. The valley bottom (i.e. area likely to submerge) has mostly scrub
vegetation which is least important of all vegetation types and not of any appreciable
extents. These scrub forests are found below El 1,035 m whereas the dam crest level is
El 957 m. Wildlife and other valuable fauna do not reside here but usually visit during
winter in search of food when upper areas are snow laden. A number of world’s rarest
animals and plants exist in the catchment/study area.
6.4.2 Aquatic Ecology
There are reportedly nine fish species in Indus River and its nullahs in the project area,
of these, five species were collected during the study. The species collected included
Schizothorax plagiostomus, Schizopyge esocinus, Racoma labiata (all of these
belonging to family Cyprinidae), Glyptosternum reticulatum (family Sisoridae), and
6-4
Triplophysa spp. (family Noemacheilidae). The first three are commercial species,
whereas the remaining two are not. No exotic fish like trout, Chinese carps etc. were
caught.(Add here base line conditions on fish catch methods, quantity, type of catch, use
and commercial aspects. Also briefly add expected impact of project on fisheries).
6.5 Geology
The geological setting of the Dasu Hydropower Project may be divided into two reaches
(i) Upper reach comprising axes 5 and 6 area and (ii) Lower reach comprising Axis 2
area. The geological conditions of the two reaches are described below:
6.5.1 Upper Reach Geology
In the upper reach comprising axes 5 and 6, the bed rock consists of predominantly
granulites. The rock is grey, crystalline, and medium grained, strong to moderately
strong and generally non foliate in surface outcrops. The rock mass is slightly weathered
in surface out crop. The available data from right bank bore holes indicate that
weathering extends only to a few meters and the rock mass is in general fresh below this
zone.
In this area the bed rock is either exposed as out crops or concealed by a thin veneer of
unconsolidated material. Thin patches of colluviums and other mass wasting debris are
scattered throughout the area. The river shoreline consists mostly of exposed bedrock.
Very little alluvium is visible in the areas of Axis 5 and 6 although extensive river bed
alluvium exits in the channel shoreline in the area downstream of Axis 5.
6.5.2 Lower Reach Geology
In the lower reach comprising Axis 2, the bed rock consists predominantly of
amphibolites with bodies of hornblendite. The rock is of light to medium grey color and
foliated. The available data from the right bank boreholes indicate that weathering
extends only few meters in-depth and the rock mass is generally fresh below this zone.
The amphibolites rock mass generally has a tabular to blockular structure with several
well interlocked discontinuity sets at all locations. Hornblendite on the right bank is more
massive and blocky than the amphibolites.
Above the river level the area consists mostly of bed rock either exposed or covered by a
thin veneer of unconsolidated materials. Thin patches of colluvium and other mass
wasting debris are scattered throughout the area. Most of the small nullahs are covered
with colluvial veneer of washed material.
6.5.3 Rock Mass Properties
For the feasibility stage design, following rock mass properties have been evaluated:
Friction Angle 35 to 55 Degrees

Cohesion 1.0 to 1.5 MPa
Deformation Modulus 3 to 22 GPa
Poisson Ratio 0.25
6.6 Hydrology
The Catchment of Indus River at Dasu extends up to Tibet and Indian held Kashmir
covering 158,800 km2. This can be split into two parts as follows:
6-5
i. Catchment area upto Diamer Basha dam site =153,200 km2

ii. Catchment area between Basha and Dasu damsite = 5,600 km2
The Indus River originates at elevation of 5,500m in Tibetan Plateau and to the north of
Manasarowar Lake. The river flows in north westerly to westerly direction for about
950km up to Diamer Basha Dam site. The river bed elevation at Diamer Basha dam is
950m. There on, the river flows in a deep narrow channel and continue in westerly
direction with southernly dip till it reaches Kandia. It is here the Indus River takes totally
south-westernly direction and continue that way and reach Dasu. From Dasu the river
continue to take a southernly direction.
The major tributaries to river in upper Indus River catchment are: (1) Astor river (2) Gilgit
river (3) Shyok river and (4) Shigar river. This part of Indus basin contains four parallel
ranges of Himalayan mountain system. The mountain ranges are seat of glaciers
including Baltoro, Biafo, Hispar, Siachin and Batura glaciers.
In the region between Basha and Dasu, the river flows in narrow gorge and at steep
gradient of about 2.5m/km. The river side terrain, like upper region, is devoid of
vegetation. The poor vegetative cover, steep slopes, easily erode able soils and rocks
are mainly responsible for high yield of sediments in river flow. Several river tributaries
join Indus River between Basha and Dasu. These are Darel, Tangir, and Kandia rivers.
These bring snow melt water throughout the year, and with it comes fine to coarse sand
sediment. During rainfall in this part of the catchment the tributary river water becomes
turbid. The tributaries between Basha- Dasu reach are shown in Figure 3.1.
The Indus River flow at Dasu is basically snow melt water up to 99%. The rain fall is
scarce and is up to 100 ~ 500 mm/year in lower part of basin. The precipitation occurs
(snow and rain) higher on mountain tops and is up to 2000 mm. The monsoon effect is
not felt in the catchment due to shielding orographic effect of Himalaya Mountain. The
rain fall in this area is due to storms originating in the Mediterranean.
The mean annual availability of water at Dasu is estimated as 65.6 BCM, which includes
62.4 BCM from Basha and the remaining 3.2 BCM from the intervening nullahs.
The sediments in the river water comprises suspended solid and moving bed load. The
Indus River carries heavy sediment load due to the ruggedness of catchments terrains
and lack of vegetation cover in the catchment.
Following the river channel, Diamer Basha Dam is located 74 Km upstream of Dasu
damsite. Therefore the sediments coming from the upper catchment shall be held up in
the Diamer Basha reservoir.
Relative silt free water shall spill over to Dasu reservoir. A small amount of sediments
entering Indus river from side nullahs from Diamer Basha dam to Dasu dam shall settle
in Dasu reservoir. The water leaving Dasu dam shall be still clearer.
6.7 Natural Environmental Risks and Hazards
6.7.1 Seismic Activity
The Atlas on Seismicity and Volcanism has divided the world into four Seismic Zones.
Dasu Hydro Power Project (DHP) is located in the second zone (regarded as heavy
exposure to earthquakes). Similarly Geological Survey of Pakistan has placed the
Project area in the “Serious Seismic Danger Zone”.
6-6
The Dasu Project is located in the Kohistan Island Arc physiographic province, a
tectonically active region which is sandwiched between the converging Indian and the
Eurasian tectonic plates. The project region has been subjected to damaging
earthquakes in the past (Figure 6.2), and therefore it is imperative that a study of tectonic
and earthquake history of the region be conducted to determine the seismic hazard to
which the proposed project may be exposed to and to evaluate realistic seismic design
parameters for the safe design of the project components. Moreover, within the
scenarios of the October 08, 2005 earthquake of Pakistan it becomes important to be
very cautious regarding the seismic hazard assessment for such a major public works
project.
Seismic hazard evaluation studies conducted as part of the project feasibility study has
indicated that a number of active faults are present around the Dasu project site.
However, no active fault has been observed in close vicinity of the project site. A number
of moderate sized earthquakes have been recorded in the Kohistan Island Arc during the
last 40 years.
For determination of the ground motion at the project site, consideration has been given
to seismotectonic features critical for the seismic hazard. The recommended horizontal
Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) associated with MCE is 0.50g and that with OBE is
0.29g.
6.7.2 Kara Kurram Highway (KKH)
The existing two lane Karakorum Highway (KKH) (N-35) normally known as KKH is 810
km in length and its width varies from about 8.5 m to 10 m. Its construction was started in
1966 and completed in 1978. Designated as N-35 in the country’s highway network, it is
one of the important roads of the entire communications network of Northern Areas of
Pakistan linking with China. This road also serves as a link between towns like Havelian,
Abbotabad, Mansehra, Batagram, Behsham, Dasu, Chilas, Gilgit, Baltit, Hunza and
Khunjrab pass. The road is in deteriorated conditions at various sections due to heavy
over loaded trucks, frequent land slides and inadequate drainage at some locations.
The KKH runs on right bank of Indus from Thakot to Dasu. The KKH is a mountainous
region road assuming falling and rising level. Between Dasu. Going north KKH runs
along the Indus River on left bank starting from Dasu Bridge near Dasu town up to
Raikot Bridge north of Chilas. Traffic Survey of KKH conducted from 14th August-20th
August 2007 at Barseen has shown that 766 vehicles daily use the KKH. This includes
light vehicles and heavy vehicles.
The KKH is maintained by Pakistan Military’s Frontier Works Organization with its
headquarter at Pattan and a camp office at Barseen. At several locations, this road
experiences small and large slides during heavy rains and the traffic remains suspended
for clearing the slided material. There are active landslide areas between Bisham and
Dasu, which need to be remedied as part of the KKH upgradation project. There is no
prominent land slide area along rim of the proposed Dasu reservoir.
Upgradation of KKH has been taken up to facilitate transportation of materials and

equipment for construction of Diamer Basha Dam Project at a site about 73 km north of
the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project site. Since construction of the Dasu project will
succeed that of the Diamer Basha project, Dasu will benefit from availability of the
upgraded KKH. However relocation of about 46 km of KKH to higher level will be
required along rim of the Dasu reservoir because of its submergence in the reservoir. A
provision for this work has been made in the cost estimate of the Dasu project.
6-7
6.8 Socio-economic Environment
Socio-economic studies focus mainly on demography, occupation, education, housing,

health, family income and expenditure, basic amenities, land use, livestock, resettlement
concerns, industry, archaeology, tourism, land values, role of women etc. Summary of
the socioeconomic environment statistics is given below:
Houses and Households: The field surveys conducted in the Study Area and data
collected from the relevant agencies indicate that there are 278 houses each having 1.5
average family size with overall 417 households in the reservoir area. Out of the
households 28% are between age 21 to 30 years; 33% between 30 to 40 years; and
36% are above 40 years of age. Among them 97% were married and 3% un-married.
Education: Primary level education is 11%; Middle level 2%; Secondary level 15%;
Intermediate level 5%, and Graduation and above 3%; 4% in village level religious
school and vast majority of about 60% have never been to the schools.
Land Ownership: Status of land stays with local tribes having 87% of the population
whereas the rests 14% are landless settlers.
Languages: Languages spoken in and around the project area are Kohistani 42%;
Shina 29%; Shina and Kohistani 26% (bi-lingual) and 3% are Pushto speaking.
Family Composition: Family size is ranging between 5 and 21 members, with above
45% having family members ranging between 6 and 10. Generally nuclear family system
exists with 73% and exogamy 57% prevalent in the area. Oldest family member have a
dominating role in making family decisions.
Gender Issue: Rarely women are exposed to outside environment of the village, except
in medical or other emergencies or attending wedding function.
Employment: Agriculture provides 22% jobs; agriculture and trade combined makes
19%; agriculture and services 16%; agriculture and labour 9%; agriculture trade/service
combined makes 9%; trade 7%,service 6%.
Family Income: Monthly family income of about 5% population is less than Rs. 3000/-;
16% earn from Rs. 3001 to 5000; 17% from 5001 to 7000; 14.5% earn from Rs.7001 to
9000/-; about 18% earn Rs.9001 to 11000 and 17% earn above Rs.11000.
Housing: Housing structures comprise 52 % kacha, 35.5% semi-pucca, and 12.2%

pucca structures, with 23% single room, 27% two rooms; 22% three rooms; 14% four
rooms and 13.4% have five or more rooms in their houses. Housing area consists of one
marla (225 sq.ft) to 20 marlas (4500 sq.ft). Estimated value of the houses (including the
land) is reported to be ranging between Rs.100,000/- and 500,000/-. Sale purchase of
property is mostly done on personal evidence in 97% of the cases and only 3% are using
judicial papers as document for sale and purchase of the properties. Majority of the
owners reported as Rs.150,000 to 200,000/- price per kanal price.
Agriculture: Agriculture Cropping system is self cultivated by 62%; whereas 17% are
owner cum tenants cultivated and only 5% is cultivated by tenants and 16% are landless
residents in the project area. Farm holding survey indicates that 34% own more than 10
kanals (8 kanals = one acre) and 50% are owner of less than 10 kanals. Crops grown in
the reservoir area are wheat, maize and vegetables mainly (68%). Crops are grown in
the two main cropping season’s i.e. Kharif (summer) maize and Rabi (winter) as wheat.
6-8
Indigenous People (IP): do not exist in the project area.
6.9 Consultations
During public consultations/scoping sessions, the basic requirements of the Study Area
people were identified, which included employment / labor opportunities, hospital/basic
health units (BHUs), schools for girls, college for boys, metalled road, water for drinking
and irrigation and electricity supplies on cheaper rate.
6.10 Impacts
6.10.1 Infrastructure Submergence
There are 23 villages existing in the reservoir, 13 on the left and 10 on the right bank of
the Indus. In these villages there are 278 houses with population of 3670 persons to be
treated as Project Affected Persons (PAP,s).In addition to the houses, there are 73 other
buildings/structures that will be inundated in the reservoir. These include 15 mosques, 6
police stations, 3 schools, 30 hotels/shops, 1 hospital, 1 rest house, 4 FWO structures, 1
water tank, 3 generator rooms and 9 timber stores. Details of affected infrastructure are
given in Table 6.3.
6.10.2 Suspension Bridges across Indus River
In the proposed Dasu reservoir area there are five suspensions bridges which provide
accessibility to the locals residing on right bank of Indus and in the valleys of catchment
tributaries of right bank to KHH. With the impoundment of Dasu reservoir, these
suspension bridges will be submerged. To rehabilitate the existing river crossing facility,
these bridges will be replaced with the construction of two bridges. In addition an asphalt
road will be constructed on right bank of Indus river to provide easy and fast access to
the right bank residents for crossing the river.
6.10.3 Petroglyphs
A cluster of petroglyphs (rock carvings) exist on the periphery of proposed Dasu

reservoir near Shatial. Some of these petroglyphs have been dated from the 4th and 5th
century AD and are of international importance, particularly to Buddhist travelers and
especially those from Japan. The petroglyphs are under the jurisdiction of the
Archaeology Department who manage the sites and have erected explanatory plaques
about the rock carvings. The cluster of petroglyphs is located at about El. 960 m, which
is well above the full supply level of Dasu reservoir (El. 950 m) and the flood surcharge
level (El. 955 m) for the extreme event of PMF.
6.10.4 During Construction Impacts
The implementation of the proposed project will generate a few adverse impacts, during
the construction stage, but these impacts are only temporary.
6.11 Compensation and Resettlement
In general terms, the people affected will be compensated for the loss of their properties,
land and trees, and assisted financially to restore their affected structures/assets and
livelihoods, at least to pre-project levels. It is necessary to give employment opportunities
and involve the local labor force during the operational stage of the Project.
Provision of replacement to the existing suspension bridges is essential during
6-9
operational stage for the local communities residing on right bank of the river Indus for
easy access to KKH.
A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) should be prepared immediately upon completion and
approval of feasibility studies. It should include Focus Census Survey of Project Affected
Person, Valuation of Assets, Compensation Policy and Framework, Implementation
Schedule and Grievances & Redressal Mechanism would be required.
6.12 Environmental Constraints
The baseline environmental screening process has identified the following existing
environmental issues which may act as constraints to the formulation and design of the
proposed Dasu Hydropower Project. It is imperative that these issues are carefully
considered and the design of the project is formulated taking these conditions into
account:
6.12.1 Indus River Flows
The major source of water flows in the Indus river at Dasu is melt-water from glaciers
and snow cover in the upstream catchment rather than from rainfall. This means that
temperature is the key climatic parameter influencing the water flow pattern in the river,
not rainfall. The nature of both the annual flow cycle and the longer term trend in this flow
pattern will be subject to the influence of climate change. The predictions for this trend
are complex, as increasing global temperatures will result in more snow and ice melting
and hence greater volumes of river flow. However at the same time the volume of
potential water flow stored in glaciers will reduce as they recede. The timing of these
contradictory trends is currently difficult to predict, but it is imperative that a monitoring
program for changes in glacier extent in the upper catchment is maintained.
The construction of the dam at Diamer Basha will precede that at Dasu it has been
estimated that after about 40 years of operation, the reservoir behind Diamer Basha dam
will start to loose significant volumes of live storage due to sedimentation thus requiring
sluicing. An analysis of the changes in flow conditions at Dasu would also need to take
this into account.
6.12.2 Seismic Risk
The Dasu dam is located in an area of high seismic risk. It is imperative that the design
of the dam has to take this risk into account, following appropriate international
standards for both structural stability and post earthquake management. The other
consequence of seismic activity is to induce landslides which may occur into the
reservoir and cause a sudden rise in water level or block upstream valleys which feed
into the reservoir. These situations are discussed below.
6.12.3 Landslides
The occurrence of landslides, be they induced by seismic activity or not, can be

catastrophic for a dam and reservoir. It is imperative that the banks of the reservoir are
evaluated for the risk of landslides and preventative action is carried out to adequately
stabilise the slopes of the reservoir. One of the reasons for favouring a dam at located
Axis 5 rather than one at Axis 2 was the possibility of unstable side slopes existing
upstream of Axis 2. The risk of landslides in the sub-catchment downstream of Diamer
Basha dam and upstream of the Dasu dam site also needs to be evaluated to see if
there is a chance of landslides occurring in the feeder rivers to the Dasu reservoir.
6-10
There is also a risk of glacial lakes being formed in the high seasonally frozen parts of
the catchment upstream of the Diamer Basha reservoir (see Figure 6.1 for potential
locations). The design of Diamer Basha dam has studied this issue in depth and the dam
has been designed to take account of the risk of sudden outwash flows from failures of
these glacial lakes causing peak floods. With Dasu being constructed after Diamer
Basha any glacial lake outbursts would be retained behind the Diamer Basha dam.
The realignment of the KKH needs to designed and constructed to minimise the risk of
erosion and landslides, with appropriate side and cross drainage and minimising
excavation. This also applies to the replacement road that will be needed along the right
bank of the Dasu reservoir.
6.12.4 Political Stability and Security
A prerequisite for constructing any dam is a stable political and security situation. The
public consultation work already carried out at Dasu has helped to avoid potential
conflicts with people currently living in the area. The fact that their very genuine concerns
were taken into consideration when selecting dam Axis 5 over a location at Axis 2
provided reassurance that the proponent of the project is serious about minimising the
adverse impacts on the local people and ensuring that no person is made worse off as a
result of the construction of the proposed project. The building of replacement
suspension bridges and new access road on right bank of Indus river should also help in
ensuring that the area can be easily accessed and made secure.
6.12.5 Land Acquisition
The need for land acquisition for the construction of any major piece of public
infrastructure is always contentious. The Dasu Hydropower Project is no exception but
significant reductions in the number of people who would be displaced have already
been achieved by selecting a dam location at Axis 5 rather than Axis 2. As a result it is
likely that the need for remote resettlement has been avoided/reduced to minimum as
the great majority of people losing their homes by flooding of the reservoir depend for
their economic livelihoods on using land that lies away from the reservoir area. Even so it
will be necessary to develop a resettlement strategy with the local people that when
implemented ensures that no person is made worse off as a result of the project. It is
also important that the resettlement issue for Diamer Basha is well handled so that the
impacted population at Dasu will be reassured that their needs will be adequately taken
care of.
6.12.6 Access
The existing road access to the dam site area relies upon using the KKH which crosses
from the right to the left bank of the Indus at Dasu bridge when travelling upstream. The
KKH is currently being upgraded as a separate project in its own right. It is imperative
that the design and construction of the upgraded road minimises the risk of erosion and
landslides. Adequate and appropriate cross and side drainage will need to be provided
and excavation minimised.
Access along the right bank of the Indus river upstream of the Dasu dam site relies upon
five existing suspension bridges linking from the KKH to a network of tracks passable by
jeep. The access requirements of people living on the right bank of the reservoir has
been considered in the design of the project, including the need for road crossing of the
river across both Diamer Basha and Dasu dams and construction of two bridges
immediately downstream of them. In addition, two suspension bridges will be constructed
crossing the Dasu reservoir.
6-11
The existing topography also acts as a severe environmental constraint to possible

locations for transmission lines from Dasu to the demand centres of the country. This is
being studied as a separate component and will require its own environmental
assessment to be carried out.
6.12.7 External Environmental Constraints
The existing upstream constraints to the Dasu project include the predicted water inflows
that will be subject to the influence of climate change and also sedimentation patterns.
However, as it is planned to construct the dam at Diamer Basha Dam Project before the
Dasu Project, these existing environmental constraints will be minimised as the river will
become a managed system. The water flow and sedimentation constraints are being
addressed as part of the design and assessment work for Diamer Basha and as
feasibility study of the Dasu project. By the time that construction of the dam at Dasu is
completed the main Indus river inflow will be managed by the operation of the Diamer
Basha dam, with criteria being influenced by the hydropower generation and
downstream water release requirements of Tarbela. The main inflow constraints to the
Dasu reservoir will then be the flows directly into the reservoir from the side streams.
Hydrological and sedimentation studies indicate that contribution of the side streams is
too small to influence the Dasu reservoir operations.
The main downstream constraints to the proposed Dasu project are the operational
requirements for management of Tarbela dam, specifically the need to optimise
operation at Tarbela for hydropower generation and also for downstream irrigation water
requirements. These constraints essentially apply to the operation of Diamer Basha with
Dasu being managed as a run of river scheme between the two dams.
6.13 Existing Human Needs in the Project Area
Irrespective of the proposed Dasu project, the public consultation process and socio-
economic survey work already carried out have indicated that the people in the study
area have significant human needs. The overall level of development in the area is low
and a strong case can be made for ensuring that significant enhancement programs are
initiated that will raise the level of economic livelihoods in the area to a higher level than
they were before the project.
6.13.1 Provision of Safe Domestic Water Supply, Sanitation and Health Education
A fundamental human need in the area is for safe domestic water supply, along with
adequate sanitation facilities and associated health education. Human health levels in
the area are poor due to the inadequacy of such existing facilities. As part of the
resettlement program it will be necessary to ensure that each household has a
dependable source of domestic water supply and adequate sanitation facilities. The
incidence of TB is also high in the area and an appropriate program needs to be
instigated to control this as it may well prove a problem for in-migrant workers employed
on the construction works.
6.13.2 Improved Nutrition
Whilst the overall levels of food intake of the people living in the area are not a major
cause for alarm, there is a problem of imbalanced diet, particularly for women. A targeted
program is needed for nutrition education and also diversification of food production to
correct that lack of minerals in the diets of local people. The expansion of fish availability
from management of the fisheries potential in the reservoir should go some way to
addressing this problem, along with the promotion of vegetables from kitchen gardens
6-12
and tree fruits.
6.13.3 Improved Education Provision
Education levels in the area are low with illiteracy being widespread, especially amongst
the older generation. A targeted program of education improvement is needed, including
provision of additional teachers for primary schools. The construction of housing for
primary school teachers will help in attracting more skilled teachers from outside the
area. A targeted program of training local people, particularly women, as primary school
teachers is also required. To increase the number of children attending secondary
schools it will be necessary to expand the number of residential hostels for pupils and for
these to be affordable. Many families have complex systems of seasonal movement into
the surrounding mountains and planning of secondary school provision has to consider
this. A programme of vocational training and adult literacy is also needed.
6.13.4 Increased Opportunities for Cash Income Generation
The current household economy in the area is mainly subsistence based and there is a
need to generate some cash income so that welfare levels can rise. The promotion of
appropriate activities, including those associated with the mitigation program for
immovable assets lost in the reservoir (tree planting for example) will go some way
towards this. However there is a need for appropriate training and an associated micro
credit program for such measures to have a chance of being successful. This includes
appropriate work opportunities on the construction of the dam and associated service
functions, as well as tree planting for fruit and timber along with fisheries in the reservoir.
6.13.5 Electricity Provision
Irrespective of the proposed project, the present availability of electricity in the project
area is inadequate. There is considerable evidence that provision of rural electrification
has a significant impact in reducing rural to urban migration. There is a legal requirement
that all relocated households have to be given an equivalent replacement power supply.
It should be possible to provide a source from the Diamer Basha hydropower plant to do
this which will allow people to be relocated and given supplies before the hydropower
plant at Dasu starts operation. Careful integrated planning down to the household level
will be needed to make sure that timely provision of replacement electricity supplies is
given. Ideally this should be part of a wider program that sees all of the surrounding area
being supplied with electricity covering the communities on both sides of the proposed
reservoir.
6-13
Table 6.1 Base Line Ambient Air Quality Conditions
Phase I (Summer) Phase II (Winter)

Site Pollutant
Min. Max. Average Min. Max. Average
SO2 (ppb) 5.1 9.8 7.02 5.1 9.6 7.6
NOx (ppb) 8 14.3 10.09 8.1 11.6 9.7
1. CO (ppm) 0.74 1.09 0.92 0.8 1.1 1
Harban CO2 (ppm) 279 310 291.2 284 309 297.4
Bridge PM10 32 55 41.55 34 58 46.3
3
(µg/m )
HC (ppm) 0.1 0.2 0.14 0.07 0.12 0.09
SO2 (ppb) 6 8 6.48 6.4 11.4 8.9
NOx (ppb) 9 14 11.3 8.1 15.2 11.2
2. CO (ppm) 0.71 1.8 0.93 0.8 1.2 1
Summer CO2 (ppm) 267 302 285.72 271 308 290.9
Nallah PM10 26 42 34.37 38 60 44.4
3
(µg/m )
HC (ppm) 0.08 0.1 0.089 0.03 0.09 0.06
SO2 (ppb) 8 11.9 10.31 7.9 12.6 10.2
NOx (ppb) 10.7 17.7 13.35 9.1 15.9 13
3. CO (ppm) 0.95 2 1.35 0.8 1.1 1
Dam Axis CO2 (ppm) 281 313 298.11 291 312 302.2
5 PM10 33 77 53.59 51 56 45.5
3
(µg/m )
HC (ppm) 0.1 0.2 0.13 0.04 0.11 0.08
6-14
Sheet 1 of 2
Table 6.2 Comparison of Water Quality Results Summer and Winter
Sampling Site : River Samples

Sample Collected on : September 27-28, 2007
Sampling Sites
At 1 km d/s of Axis
Sr. Harban Bridge Summer Nallah At Dam Axis 5 Downstream of Dasu
Parameter 5
No. (SW-1) (SW-2) (SW-3) (SW-5)
(SW-4)
Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II
o
1 Temperature ( C) 14.5 7.5 14 6.8 16.5 7.9 16 7 18 8.2
2 No
Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste No Taste
Taste
3 Odour Odour Odour Odour Odour Odour Odour Odour Odour Odour
Odour
Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Less Less
4 Ph 6.8 7.8 6.8 8.1 6.9 8 6.8 7.7 7.01 7.5
5 DO (mg/L) 8 8.2 8 8.3 7.8 8.2 7.8 7.9 7.4 7.8
6 Conductivity (µS/cm) 70.9 73.1 68.6 70.7 67.3 68.2 71.2 71.4 72.8 73.5
7 Turbidity (NTU) 45 48 70 71 75 78 70 72 80 81
8 Hardness as CaCO3 (mg/L) 160 164 108 140 140 143 144 142 132 144
9 BOD (mg/L) 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.4 2 2.1 2.6 2.6
10 COD (mg/L) 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.9 3.9 3.2 3.4 3.8 4.1
11 Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 42.6 45.3 41.5 45.5 41 46.2 42.8 45.2 44.1 49.3
12 Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 118 126 134 155 145 158 137 160 83 160
13 Chloride (mg/L) 3.5 3.7 2.5 3.7 2.75 3.9 2.9 3.9 2.4 4.1
14 Chlorine Total (µg/L) 10 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
15 Sodium (mg/L) 2.27 2.30 1.62 2.30 1.75 2.35 1.88 2.38 1.56 2.45
16 Fluoride (µg/L) ND ND ND ND ND ND 50 65 ND 62
17 Iodine (mg/L) 0.33 0.50 0.21 0.60 0.88 0.98 0.2 0.98 1.34 1.59
18 Sulphate (mg/L) 42 48 40 50.4 39 53.2 40 53.5 38 56.1
19 Sulphide (µg/L) 148 153 155 159 180 184 176 181 201 212
20 Nitrogen Ammonia (mg/L) 0.47 0.13 0.98 0.07 0.95 0.01 0.89 0.1 0.65 0.09
21 Nitrate (mg/L) ND ND ND ND ND 0.93 ND 1.10 ND 1.15
22 Cyanide (µg/L) ND ND ND ND 0.85 ND 0.92 ND 1.1 ND
23 Coliforms (E.Coli) (Org/100m) 7 9 13 10 9 10 12 11 2 12
24 Coliforms (Fecal) (Org/100m) 15 17 21 17 46 20 24 22 5 22
25 Copper (Cu) (µg/L) 0.83 0.88 6.36 1.9 4.82 1.95 12.21 2.1 4.76 2.3
Sheet 2 of 2
Table 6.2 Comparison of Water Quality Results Summer and Winter
Sampling Sites
At 1 km d/s of Axis
Sr. Harban Bridge Summer Nallah At Dam Axis 5 Downstream of Dasu
Parameter 5
No. (SW-1) (SW-2) (SW-3) (SW-5)
(SW-4)
Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II Phase I Phase II
26 Cadmium (Cd) (µg/L) 2.8 2.8 2.71 2.5 3.71 2.9 2.92 2.9 1.61 2.7
27 Chromium (Cr) (µg/L) 4.2 3.8 3.1 3.9 4 3.9 4.5 4.2 4.8 4.2
28 Lead(Pb) (µg/L) 17.06 18 17.14 17.2 16.36 17.5 16.93 19 19.22 19.5
29 Silver (Ag) (µg/L) 0.03 0.01 0.04 0.08 0.02 0.1 0.03 0.02 0.06 0.05
30 Zinc (Zn) (µg/L) 0.82 0.85 0.85 0.88 0.79 0.89 2.01 0.93 0.8 1.08
31 Nickle (Ni) (µg/L) 12.7 5.8 9.8 5.8 3.8 6.2 8.7 6.25 6.8 7.1
32 Arsenic (As) (µg/L) 3.6 1.82 3.1 1.96 2.9 1.99 3.5 2.15 3.8 2.45
33 Selenium (Se) (µg/L) 0.05 0.01 0.03 0.08 0.04 0.095 0.09 0.06 0.12 0.098
34 Manganese (Mn) (µg/L) 62.38 68 70.5 91 84 86 65.48 105.2 72 101.2
35 Iron (Fe) (µg/L) 68 90.7 142 166.4 170 195.9 72 269.4 78 289.8
36 Berium (Ba) (µg/L) 27.89 15.2 31.34 15.8 35 14.6 29.99 17.2 27 17.7
37 Boron (B) (µg/L) 12.46 30.2 14.51 35.5 15 35.9 13.21 36.4 13 26.2
38 Mercury (Hg) (µg/L) 0.71 ND 0.72 ND 0.92 ND 0.75 ND 0.84 ND
39 Alpha BHC (pesticide) (µg/L) ND ND 0.33 0.28 0.35 0.49 0.44 0.54 0.51 0.59
40 Gamma BHC(pesticide) (µg/L) ND ND 0.38 0.16 0.42 0.25 0.47 0.28 0.62 0.26
41 4,4’-DDT (pesticide) (µg/L) ND ND 0.35 0.11 0.3 0.41 0.42 0.41 0.48 0.44
42 Phenolic Compounds
ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND
(n-octylphenol)
ND = Not Detected.
Table 6.3 Detail of Resettlement, Infrastructure Submergence Sheet 1 of 1
Sr Village Housing Units Families/ Persons/ Timber Police Hotel/ Water Generator FWO Rest
Population Mosques School Hospital Doli Bridge
# Name Left Right Total Unit Family Stores Station Shop Tank Room Structures House
1 Siglo 0 16 16 1.5 8.8 211 1 1
2 Logro 15 0 15 1.5 8.8 198 0 1
3 Ochar
6 0 6 1.5 8.8 79 1 1
Nullah
4 Segal 13 0 13 1.5 8.8 172 1 1
5 Barseen 9 0 9 1.5 8.8 119 1 3 1 1 4 1
6 Largani /
2 24 26 1.5 8.8 343 1 1 1
Maliyar
7 Gul Bagh /
Madan / 21 17 38 1.5 8.8 502 2 1 1
Dogah
8 Kai Gah 46 0 46 1.5 8.8 607 1 1 2 1
9 Pani Bah 25 0 25 1.5 8.8 330 1 2 1
10 Gayal 0 13 13 1.5 8.8 172 1
11 Kot Gul 0 4 4 1.5 8.8 53 1 1 1
12 Dondar 0 12 12 1.5 8.8 158
13 Gummo 0 15 15 1.5 8.8 198 1
14 Sri Shaal 0 6 6 1.5 8.8 79
15 Shori
Nullah /
2 0 2 1.5 8.8 26 1 1 1
Adam
Banda
16 Summer
2 0 2 1.5 8.8 26 1 1 16
Nullah
17 Sazeen 16 2 18 1.5 8.8 238 3 2 7
18 Waliabad /
1 0 1 1.5 8.8 13 1
Chor Mor
19 Shatial 2 9 11 1.5 8.8 145 1 1 1 4 1 2
Total 160 118 278 3,670 15 9 6 3 30 1 3 4 1 5 1 5
Note: This table has been developed using processed Satellite Imageries attached as Annexures-II
FIG. 6.2
Kashmir Earthquake
of 08.10.2005
DASU HYDROPOWER PROJECT
SEISMICITY OF DASU REGION

7. IMPACT IDENTIFICATION, QUANTIFICATION AND CATEGORIZATION
7.1 Environmental Scoping Methodology
Taking the master checklist of key environmental issues identified for the study area, and
used to produce the baseline environmental profile, a comparative environmental
analysis was carried out using a scoping matrix. The baseline condition that was used
has been outlined in Section 6 and is the predicted situation immediately after the
commencement of operation of the Diamer Basha dam. For the purpose of project
impact analysis, the without Dasu Project situation is the condition with Diamer Basha in
operation. The without Dasu project condition (i.e. with Diamer Basha in operation) was
compared to the with Dasu situation, the difference being the impacts induced by the
construction of the Dasu project assuming no mitigation measures were in place. An
analysis was then carried out to predict the situation with full mitigation measures in
place for Dasu and to compare this with the future without project situation. This allowed
a residual adverse impact analysis to be carried out.
The analysis technique used allows the most important adverse impacts to be easily
identified so that efforts can be targeted on studying these particular issues in order to
quantify them and, where possible and appropriate, allow them to be valued. Mitigation
possibilities for the adverse impacts can then be identified and cost estimates of
implementing these made. The analysis technique also allows environmental
enhancements to be identified by which project benefits can be maximized and
additional measures can be targeted to increase the livelihoods of potentially adversely
impacted people, with the objective of making them better off than they were before the
project was constructed.
7.2 Delineation of Boundaries of Possible Impact Areas
The potential impact areas of the proposed Dasu project include all those places that will
require permanent land acquisition, both under the dam and other construction works
and also the reservoir area up to 957masl. The area of the reservoir is indicated in
Figure 1.3 and covers 2,600ha. In addition there may be places that require temporary
land acquisition (for materials storage or construction camps for instance) and there are
also households whose livelihood will be adversely impacted by the loss of immovable
assets even though their house is not on land that will need to be permanently acquired.
There are unlikely to be significant downstream impacts that could be solely attributed to
the Dasu project. The regulated river flow and trapping of the majority of sediments will
be a function of the construction and operation of the Diamer Basha dam that has to be
completed before Dasu can commence construction. The upstream catchment boundary
of the Dasu dam is shown in Figure 6.1, however the relevant part for the environmental
assessment is that small area which lies between Diamer Basha dam site and Dasu dam
site and comprises the sub-catchments of the side tributaries that flow directly into the
Dasu reservoir.
7.3 Positive Impacts
7.3.1 Electricity Generation
The main objective of Dasu Dam is the generation of electricity to meet the energy
requirements of the country. The design of the proposed hydropower station will have a
maximum installed capacity of 4,320MW. The unit cost of electricity generation will be
considerably lower than the cost of thermal power generation which uses non-renewable
fossil fuels and produces emissions of greenhouse gases. The primary positive impact of
7-1
the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project is that it produces non polluting sustainable
electricity at a lower cost than alternative sources. The construction of the Dasu project
would help increase the proportion of the country’s electricity that comes from such
sustainable sources and reduce the dependency on non renewable forms of energy. It
will also reduce the reliance on imported fuel sources which are expensive and are only
likely to increase in price over time as they become depleted.
7.3.2 Job Opportunities
During the design, construction and operational phases of the project there will be a
demand for workers, both skilled and unskilled. This will include opportunities for local
people, both directly on the construction site and also indirectly in related service work,
including the need to provide replacement infrastructure for that inundated by the
reservoir. During the detailed design phase of the work it will be possible to obtain a
clearer idea of the number of job opportunities that will be created, the level of skills
required and their likely duration. It should be possible to first offer some of these
appropriate jobs to local people, if they wish and are able to take them. Training may
need to be provided, but it should be possible to considerably widen the range of wage
paid employment opportunities available in the area which would increase the general
level of economic prosperity. However it is important to try and ensure that the skills
learnt are transferable once the construction of the dam has been completed.
7.3.3 Water Management
The anticipated storage capacity of the proposed reservoir is 6 million m3 (1.019 MAF) at
a full supply level of 950masl. The design flood return period is 1 in 10,000 years which
would produce a high flood level of 957masl, including a surcharge of 5m and an
additional 2m to cater for wave action. It should be remembered that Dasu dam will be
constructed after the completion of the Diamer Basha Dam which is located just
upstream of the proposed Dasu reservoir. The capacity of the reservoir of Diamer Basha
Dam is considerably larger than that of Dasu reservoir. Most potential floods coming
down the Indus river system will be absorbed by the reservoir upstream of Diamer Basha
Dam. The conjunctive operation of both Diamer Basha and Dasu reservoirs allows
hydropower at Dasu to be generated in the most efficient manner, particularly at daily
peak demand time when alternative power generation sources are difficult and
expensive to operate. The operation of Diamer Basha dam will regulate the flows
downstream into Dasu and significantly reduce the risk of sudden flooding further
downstream. Such integrated operation will also allow more flexibility of operation for
Tarbela, including its important role in providing regulated flows for downstream irrigation
use.
7.3.4 Surface Water Quality and Amenity
The storage of water in the Dasu reservoir up to the elevation of 950masl will create a
valuable aquatic eco system with a significant potential for improved fish habitats. The
availability of a perennial open surface water source will also benefit terrestrial ecology.
The Dasu reservoir will also allow the settling out of the suspended solids that will inflow
from the side streams feeding directly into the reservoir. However the main reduction in
sediment loads in the Indus will result from the construction of Diamer Basha dam. This
reduction in downstream sediment loads will reduce the problem of sedimentation in
Tarbela reservoir which is now seriously reducing its live storage and ability to operate in
an efficient manner.
7-2
7.3.5 Upgrading of the KKH
Prior to the construction of the dam at Dasu, the KKH will be realigned and upgraded to
make it capable of accommodating the movement of materials and equipment needed
for the construction of Diamer Basha dam. The improvement of this strategically
important highway linking China and Pakistan is likely to generate more use and
generally improve communications to the left bank of the river. This improvement in
communications when combined with a well planned replacement road network for the
right bank of the river is likely to have significant benefits for both local people and also
for the national communications network.
7.3.6 Local Vegetation and Livestock
The availability of the standing water of the Dasu reservoir is likely to improve the micro-
climate of the area in what is currently an arid place. The fluctuations in the reservoir
area created due to the operating conditions required by the generation of peak demand
hydropower will promote the conditions for the growth of grassland and other vegetation
at the periphery of the reservoir. This will provide valuable grazing for livestock,
particularly in winter when grazing areas in the highlands are inaccessible. The improved
vegetation condition around the reservoir will also provide improved habitats for birds,
including waterfowl, and other wildlife which are likely to be attracted by the enriched
ecosystem.
7.3.7 Aquatic Life
The reservoir area of 26 km2 will provide a significant volume of water that is likely to
develop into an important aquatic ecological habitat. This should allow a significant
development of fish and other aquatic plants on commercial basis. The scope for
development of appropriate commercial managed fisheries is considerable, with
widespread potential benefits in terms of employment for local people and also
improvement in the levels of human nutrition for people living in the immediate and wider
area.
7.3.8 Improvement in Socio-Economic Conditions
The demand for workers for construction of the dam and also its operation will have
wider economic benefits in the surrounding area, as even specialist skilled labor that is
brought in from outside will require service functions that will boost demand in the local
economy. The relatively long construction period will allow local people to acquire skills
that will increase their chance of employment when the construction work on the dam is
completed. The demand for skilled artisans is likely to be high even before construction
of the dam commences, as at least 278 replacement housing units and associated
infrastructure have to be built. Similarly realignment of the KKH will create job
opportunities long before the construction of the dam commences.
7.3.9 Provision of Public Amenities
Adequate institutional and public service provision will need to be provided to support the
project. This includes additional infrastructure to allow the dam to be constructed and
operated as well as replacements for that lost under the permanent works. The types of
provision required include roads and bridges, education and health services, water
supply, sanitation and electricity. Overall this should significantly benefit the local
population, that in the past have had very low levels of such provision.
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7.3.10 Recreation and Tourism Development
The construction of the Dasu dam will create a reservoir in an area where there are very
few open water bodies and it is likely to enhance the landscape diversity of the area.
There is already some limited tourism in the area with the KKH providing the main route
in for visitors who then travel northwards to the high mountains. There are also
international Buddhist pilgrims who visit the area. With the construction of the reservoir it
should be possible to provide a more diverse experience, including boating, sport fishing
and also wildlife viewing, as the area is likely to provide a good habitat for water birds.
The dam itself will be a significant tourist attraction and a visitor’s information centre
could be built explaining to the public the nature of the project. Adequate and well
planned tourist facilities, such as hotels and restaurants, along with boat and vehicle hire
tours, would need to be put in place to capitalize on this opportunity.
7.4 Adverse Impacts during the Pre-Construction Phase
A summary listing of the main adverse impacts related to land acquisition and
resettlement during the pre-construction phase of the Dasu project is given in Table 7.1
and a subjective rating as to their severity is given in Table 7.2.
Table 7.1 Loss of Land and Population Impacted

Item. Quantity Proportion of
Item
No. Total Land Loss
1 Total Land Area 6,439 acres (2,600ha)
2 Agricultural Land 84 acres (34ha) 1%
3 Grazing Area 51 acres (21ha) 1%
4 Unused Barren Land 4,201 acres (1,696ha) 65%
5 River Bed 2,103 acres (849ha) 32%
6 Housing Units 278
7 Population Losing House 3,670
8 Households Losing House 417
9 Forest Trees 20,000
10 KKH 46km
Table 7.2 Adverse Impacts during the Pre Construction Phase

By Impact Category, Severity and Nature
Sr.
Impact Minor Moderate Major Temporary Permanent
No.
Land Acquisition And
1 √√ √√
Resettlement
Loss of Private,Community
2 and Government Owned √√ √√
Assets
Loss of Trees,
3 Vegetation,Agriculture and √√ √√
Grazing Areas
4 Submergence of the KKH √√ √√
5 Accessibility for Local People √√ √√
7.4.1 Land Acquisition and Resettlement
Due to the construction of the Dasu dam and the impounding of the reservoir behind it,
an estimated 3,670 people currently living in 278 housing units will be displaced and
require resettlement. This is predicted to be the major adverse impact of the project.
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The estimates are based upon the DCR and socioeconomic surveys carried out in the
area, using detailed satellite imagery, with an average of 8.8 persons per extended
family and 1.5 families per housing unit. There are also other immovable assets within
the proposed reservoir area that will be submerged, including mosques and graveyards.
In addition there are immovable improvements to land that will be lost, including planted
economically valuable trees, agricultural and grazing land. In addition to these privately
held domestic losses there are also private commercial, community based and
government assets that will be submerged. These are discussed below.
These are the important impacts that will be encountered prior to the start of the
construction stage of the project and must be adequately addressed. These impacts will
be significant, with important social livelihood implications and are of a permanent
nature.
7.4.2 Loss of Private, Community and Government Owned Infrastructure
Due to the submergence of land under the proposed reservoir, in addition to the 278
housing units that will be inundated, other items of private commercial, community and
Government owned infrastructure will be lost. These are given in detail in Part A of Table
7.3. Based upon field verification of detailed satellite imagery this includes 30 shops,
hotels and restaurants, 9 timber stores, 15 mosques, 3 graveyards, 3 schools, a hospital,
6 police posts, 3 electricity generator rooms as well as water supply systems, telephone
lines, roads, 5 suspension bridges and 5 cableways.
7.4.3 Loss of Trees, Vegetation, Agricultural and Grazing Areas
It is estimated that due to the impounding of the reservoir some 84 acres (34ha) of
agriculture land, 51 acres (21ha) of grazing area and approximately 20,000 trees will be
submerged and lost forever. This will be a major permanent impact with significant socio-
economic livelihood consequences.
7.4.4 Submergence of KKH
Due to the construction of the Dasu dam and the impounding of the reservoir, about **km
of the KKH will be inundated out of the **km total length passing along the left bank of
the Indus river valley. Some of the unflooded parts of the road could be reused if
reconnected, however a major realignment and redesign of the road will be required in
order to ensure that it has adequate capacity in terms of width, gradient, curves and
clearance to carry the loads required for the construction of Diamer Basha dam and also
Dasu. The KKH is the only link road through the area and is the strategic highway to the
upstream areas and on to China. A traffic count survey was carried out at Barseen, the
results of which have discussed in Section 6.1 when describing the baseline conditions
in the area.
The inundation of the KKH is a major impact of a permanent nature and will need to be
rebuilt prior to the commencement of works at Dasu. In total it has been calculated that
about 46km of the KKH will be submerged due to the impounding of reservoir.
7.4.5 Valuation of Lost Assets
A summary of environmental and resettlement costs, is given in Table 7.3. Table 9.2
gives the details of the cost of land acquisition and resettlement needs of the project,
including mitigation and monitoring costs.
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Table 7.3 Summary of Environmental and Resettlement Costs

Item Amount
Description
No. (Million Pak Rs.) (Million US $)
A Land & Other Compensation 5,955 85

B Environmental Mitigation Measures 5,948 85
C Resettlement 511 7
D Environmental Monitoring 116 2
Total Cost 12,530 179

1 US $ = Rs. 70
7.5 Adverse Impacts during the Construction Phase
7.5.1 Physical Environment
Soil Erosion
Construction activities such as excavation, filling, development of access roads,

construction camps, and disposal of materials (both solid and liquid) will affect the
existing soil conditions in the Project Area and in its nearby surroundings. In addition,
such work is likely to lead to changes in the existing drainage pattern and may have a
significant adverse impact on the environment. It is likely that two soil layers could be
affected, the top soil and the immediate layer beneath it. The impact on the top soil layer
will be of moderate magnitude as compared to the layer underneath it. The main location
of this type of impact will be concentrated around a relatively small part of the reservoir
area, immediately upstream and downstream of the Dam site (see Figure 3.1) but with
other smaller locations along access roads and quarry sites, as well as the tailrace outfall
location where it discharges back into the main river. With care this type of impact can be
minimized and landscape reinstatement with adequate drainage provision must be
carried out after the completion of the works. This type of impact has thus been
categorized as insignificant and temporary.
Soil and Water Contamination
During the construction stage of the project, large volumes of fuel and lubricants will be
used for running plant, including large construction machinery and generators.
Significant quantities of fuel and lubricants will need to be stored at the construction site
for its immediate use. Such storage facilities need to be appropriately located, designed
and constructed to minimize the risk of spillage and if were to occur for it to be contained
and prevented from polluting the surrounding land and particularly the river system and
groundwater. However it is inevitable that there will be a risk of spillage and some
pollution will occur. An adequately resourced contingency plan needs to be in place to
deal with such a spillage. However any spillage could permanently contaminate the top
soil and render it infertile making the effects permanent.
Air Quality, Noise and Vibration
During the implementation of the project a large amount of equipment and construction
plant will be utilized for construction of the works. The equipment would include
bulldozers, scrapers, excavators, compactors, trucks, large capacity dumpers, graders,
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heavy duty cranes, concrete batching plants and stone crushers. The operation and
movement of such equipment will increase the noise and dust levels in the Project Area.
The impact will be significant when compared to the without project situation.
The likely continuous use of generators consuming diesel and oil will also be a source of
air pollution and noise. During the summer season the prevailing winds are likely to blow
the noise away from the site and will also disperse the air pollutants. However during
winter, when there are much stiller conditions and temperature inversions occur, the
situation is likely to be more problematic as there will be less chance of dispersion of
both noise and particularly air pollutants.
Whilst there are currently few residents living very close to Axis 5 there are 4,000 people
presently living between the area downstream of Axis 5 to the tailrace outfall site at Axis
2. These people will inevitably be subject to disruption during the construction period,
including noise and air pollution, including dust. Adequate steps will need to be taken to
manage this problem in collaboration with the local community. This may include
restrictions on the times of operation in specific places. There are national regulations for
air emissions, including dust, that will have to be followed and the noise threshold of
85dBA is likely to be breached at times. Old and badly maintained vehicles are prone to
produce more noise and higher levels of polluting emissions. It is imperative that all plant
meets emission control standards and that these are checked and enforced.
The most extreme noise is likely to be produced by blasting, from quarries, excavation of
the dam foundation and the tunnelling for the diversion, powerhouse and tailrace.
Considerable amounts of dust are also produced during such operations, with impacts
on local residents and particularly workers, especially those in underground situations.
These impacts will be concentrated in the areas around the dam axis and quarries. This
impact will be significant but temporary in nature.
Due to the drilling activity required for construction of the tunnels a considerable amount
of noise and also vibration will be produced. It is anticipated that the some of the houses
in the village of Chuchang Maidan may be required to be temporarily evacuated during
the construction period due to the effects of the vibrations. However this issue will have
to be assessed once the detailed construction program is known.
7.5.2 Site for Construction Camps
A large number of both skilled and unskilled workers will be utilized for the construction
of the dam and associated structures. Appropriate sites for the location of the
construction camps need to be identified that lie within a practical distance from the site.
Suitable flat land is in short supply in the area and care will be needed with site selection
and provision of adequate service facilities, including water supply, sanitation, electricity
and waste disposal. Identification of appropriate accommodation sites that minimize
impact is a major issue and consideration could be given to building some permanent
buildings that can be reused after the project is constructed, perhaps as part of a
program to promote facilities for tourist development provision.
7.5.3 Storage of Construction and Excavated Material
During the construction phase of the project a large quantity of rock will be excavated
from the tunnels and powerhouse. It has been estimated that some 4.4 million cubic
meters of solid rock will be excavated. After excavation this solid mass volume may well
increase by up to 60 % by volume as it is stockpiled as pieces rather than being solid.
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This excavated material will need to be stored at appropriated sites prior to its
processing and reuse in the construction works. The shortage of appropriate flat land for
such storage is a problem for the operation and the sitting and operation of these storage
areas will be one of the major impacts on the local environment. However efficient
planning of material use should optimize the excavated material produced with the
requirements of construction. If well planned all of the excavated material should be
reused in the works so that the impact becomes temporary and with reinstatement of the
storage area after construction is completed then this can be adequately managed from
an environmental standpoint.
7.5.4 Liquid and Solid Waste from Construction Camps
The erection and use of the construction camps for temporary housing for labor who will
work on the construction site will generate a significant amount of liquid and solid waste.
Although total numbers of the staff of all categories who will be housed are not known
yet, it is expected that up to 7,000 persons could be engaged to work on the site and will
reside in the project area. As a general rule for such accommodation, water consumption
will be about 15 liters per person per day and will generate between 70 to 80 percent of
this as waste water requiring suitable treatment facilities.
Construction camps will generate about 0.5kg of domestic waste per person per day.
This will comprise both organic and inorganic waste, including kitchen waste. It is
important that this waste is separated and where possible recycled with the remaining
organic waste and inorganic residue also being separated. The organic waste can be
composted for agricultural use and the inorganic waste should be safely incinerated to
absolutely minimize the amount of material needing to be land-filled. A suitable sanitary
land fill site will need to be located in an appropriate place and properly constructed and
managed to avoid leachate. This should be part of a wider environmentally sound waste
management strategy for the project.
7.5.5 Material Quarries and Borrow Pits
There is likely to be a demand for materials, particularly natural coarse and fine
aggregates that may not be available from the immediate construction site area.
Appropriate type and quality materials will need to be sourced from as close to the site
as possible. This will require material to be quarried. The selection of sites for such
quarries needs to consider environmental management issues, including haul routes,
noise and dust. Where possible it is preferable to quarry from within the reservoir area
that will later be inundated. Agricultural and forested land above the reservoir area
should be avoided as quarry sites, as far as is possible. Appropriate reinstatement of
quarry areas will need to be made after extraction has been finished.
Early indications are that sufficient quantities of rock should be available from both the
excavated material and also six potential rock quarry sites close to the dam axis location.
The locations of these are given in Table 7.4 below.
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Table 7.4 Potential Quarry Sites

Sr. No. Name Location
1 Uchar Gah Uchar Nullah
2 Uchar Gah 50 m upstream of the Police Post along KKH
3 Barseen 1 Km upstream of Baseen Nullah
4 Kaigah 4 Km upstream of Barseen Nuallah
5 Kaigah 1.5 Km upstream of Kaigah
6 Panibah 2 Km upstream of Kaigah village
During operation of the quarries there will inevitably be disturbance to the environment,
including soil and creation of noise and dust. With careful planning and appropriate
management these can be minimized. It is imperative that steps are taken to prevent
erosion that results in sedimentation into side tributaries and the reservoir area.
Identification of materials storage areas and management of these will need care, along
with selection and management of the haul roads.
7.5.6 Surface Water Quality
There is a real risk of pollution into the surface water drainage system during the
construction of the project. This includes pollution by hydro-carbons and also sediment. It
is imperative that this is avoided. The movement of heavy vehicles on unsurfaced Katcha
tracks, quarry activities, excavation and fill operations at the dam site, along with
pollution spills of oil, petroleum, bitumen/coal tar and other liquids and chemicals may all
create hazards to surface water quality. Such activities will also increase the risk of
suspended solids washing into the river system and causing turbidity. Clearing and
grubbing of vegetation in certain places will increase the risk of soil erosion and resulting
sedimentation into the river system. This is particularly a problem during the rainy
season.
For the construction of access roads materials such as sand, gravel and aggregates will
be required in large quantities. The major sources of such types of materials will be the
areas adjacent to the proposed site in the sub-catchment areas, and particularly the
beds of hill torrents and the gravelly/stony terraces located in the vicinity of the project
site. Extraction of the materials from these sources will need to be carried out with care
to minimize the risk of sedimentation into the reservoir and downstream area.
7.5.7 Ecological Environment
The likely impacts of the construction works on the ecology of the area include the
following aspects:
Impact on Wildlife and Avifauna
During construction activities noise and noxious gases will be produced from machinery
and other activities which will scare away birds, wildlife, rodents and reptiles from their
existing habitats. Some of these animals may be at risk and may be killed during the
construction works. There is a specific issue over noise in the breeding season for some
birds and this issue needs to be considered during the detailed planning of the works.
Impact on Vegetation
It is inevitable that some vegetation will need to be removed for construction work, both
on permanent sites and also for temporary works. This will include access road
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alignments, quarries, batching plants, construction camps and storage areas. The
amount of vegetation to be removed should be minimized by appropriate design. Owners
of trees and scrubs will need to be compensated for their lost value and also offered the
chance to salvage the remains of them. This particularly applies to economic trees,
including valuable timber, fuel-wood, fruit and medicinal plants.
7.5.8 Socio-economic Environment
The main adverse socio-economic impacts during the construction phase of the project
are given below:
Impact on Traffic
The project will significantly increase traffic loads on the KKH and also require access
roads to be constructed. The KKH is in any case being upgraded for the Diamer Basha
project but this in itself is likely to induce still higher traffic loads and the realignment is
likely to result in a general increase in traffic speeds. There will also be a tendency for
people displaced from the reservoir, particularly those from the left bank of the river, to
relocate their new houses near the rebuilt KKH. It will be necessary to ensure that a
major road safety awareness campaign is instigated, particularly targeted at children.
Local schools should be used to assist in this awareness raising work.
During the construction stage of the Dasu project, a large amount of materials and
equipment will need to be moved to the site by road, as the closest railway is a long
distance away at Havelian (see Figure 1.2). The only possible route to Dasu will be on
the KKH and some of these loads will be very large and heavy, with the transformers
being 7m high, 5m wide and weighing 140tonnes. Special arrangements will be needed
to manage traffic when such abnormal loads are to be carried. These include closing off
alternate stretches of the road and moving items in convoys when normal traffic loads
are lowest.
This is one of the significant impacts of the project and acts both as a constraint that will
need addressing and will also induce long term changes in accessibility of the project
area and also traffic loads on the KKH.
Accessibility for Local People due to Construction Activities
During the construction phase of the Dasu project there will inevitably be disruption to
communications in the project area, particularly to people resident on the right bank of
the dam site and reservoir area. A detailed assessment of the long term access
requirements of the area has been made, both in terms of replacement of permanent lost
access due to the project and also how to improve the overall situation in a post
construction situation. The detailed results of this work are given in Technical Memo 5.
The crucial thing is to anticipate people’s access requirements well in advance and
ensure that adequate alternative access arrangements are in place before parts of the
exiting network have to be closed. This is particularly true for the loss of river crossings
and existing bridges on right bank tributaries that feed into the reservoir area. Close
collaboration with local people is required to plan these arrangements and consideration
must be given to all modes of transport, especially the requirements of livestock
movement.
Cultural Issues
The arrival of a large number of workers to the site from outside the immediate area
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could create friction with the local community. The existing local community is quite
conservative with strong local customs and practices, especially related to gender
issues. Great care will be needed to ensure that local people are offered appropriate
employment opportunities and do not feel excluded. The incoming workers also need to
be made aware of local expectations as to acceptable social behavior. Such issues can
be very sensitive on large construction sites and need to be handled with care. The issue
of temporary in-migrants bringing new diseases into the area (particularly malaria) needs
to be considered.
Loss of Livelihood
One of the main assets and sources of income for local people is agricultural land. Some
84acres (34ha) of agricultural land will be lost under the dam and reservoir along with
51acres (21ha) of grazing land. However these are each only 1% of the total land loss
and although the impacts for some individual households may be severe, the overall
impact is not as great as would normally be expected for such a big project. By moving
the dam location from Axis 2 to Axis 5 this problem of economic land loss with
immovable assets on it, including a significant number of houses, has been significantly
reduced. The majority of people who will lose their house make a significant part of their
livelihood by using resources that are located away from the reservoir site, particularly in
the surrounding highlands. It is imperative that the land acquisition and resettlement
program will be completed prior to the commencement of the construction of the project.
Security, Safety and Accident Risks
It is a prerequisite for the construction and operation of the project that the project area is
safe from a security point of view. The improvement of the KKH should assist in this
process by allowing for easier law enforcement. All people working on the project and all
local people should be allowed to go about their lives without risks to their safety.
Frequent consultation with local community leaders should be carried out to ensure that
that any social frictions are identified and resolved before they become inflamed. There
are safety requirements for construction projects that include control of public access to
the site along with regulations aimed at safeguarding workers. Suitable arrangements
that conform to national health and safety requirements and also appropriate
international best practice will need to be followed. There are specific procedures that
need to be observed for the transport, storage and handling of explosives that will be
required for the operation of quarries and also underground excavation. It will be
necessary to liaise with local communities and initiate and support a public awareness
program, particularly targeted at children, about the risks and dangers of large
construction sites.
7.5.9 Summary of Impacts during the Construction Phase
A summary of the predicted impacts that are likely to occur during the construction stage
of the proposed project is given in Table 7.5.
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Table 7.5 Summary of Impacts during the Construction Phase

Sr.
No.
1 Soil Erosion √√√√ √√√√
2 Soil Contamination √√√√ √√√√
3 Air Quality √√√√ √√√√
4 Noise √√√√ √√√√
4 Construction Camps Sites √√√√ √√√√
Construction and Excavated
5 √√√√ √√√√
Material Storage
Material Quarries and Borrow
6 √√√√ √√√√
Pits
7 Surface Water Quality √√√√ √√√√
8 Wildlife and Avifauna √√√√ √√√√

9 Vegetation √√√√ √√√√
10 Traffic √√√√ √√√√
11 Accessibility for Local People √√√√ √√√√
12 Culture √√√√ √√√√
13 Livelihood √√√√ √√√√
14 Security and Accidents √√√√ √√√√
7.6 Adverse Impacts during the Operational Phase
7.6.1 Physical Environment
Air Quality and Noise
The operation of the project will not affect air quality in the study area to any significant
extent and when compared to the alternative sources of power generation hydropower is
by far the cleanest. Although the operation of hydro turbines does produce noise, the
underground location of the turbine house will minimize the effect on the surrounding
area. The road traffic volumes, frequency and pollution in the area will be much lower
than during the construction phase.
Solid Waste
During the operational stage of the project, the generation of solid waste will be minimal,
especially when compared to the construction stage. The environmentally sound
management of such solid waste needs to be continued, with the maximizing of reuse,
recycling and separation into organic and inorganic residual waste and combined with
composting and appropriate incineration. The proposed fisheries operation in the
reservoir is likely to have its own set of specific waste management issues and these will
need to be addressed at the appropriate time.
River Flows
The Dasu project, like that at Diamer Basha, is a non consumptive user of water. The
Dasu project is a run of river hydropower project that depends upon the proposed dam at
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Diamer Basha to be constructed so that it can store water and then release it when
required to generate its own power and also allow Dasu to do the same. The result is
that there will be a highly modified river flow pattern.
Erosion and Sedimentation
There are likely to be significant changes in the nature of the morphology of the main
river channel for the 4km length downstream of the dam to the tailrace tunnel outlet. The
main river flow will be diverted away from this area and it will only be fed by occasional
spillway overtopping and deliberate releases from the lower outlets when these are
required. It may also receive backwater flows from the tailrace outlet. The significant
reduction in sediment loads following the closure of Diamer Basha dam and the
increased velocities immediately downstream of the tailrace outlet of Dasu will inevitably
cause the river bed to erode, although design measures will be taken to try and minimize
this. However this is a permanent impact with some degree of residual element that can
not be mitigated for.
Climate
The impounding of the Dasu reservoir is likely to have only a very minor effect on the
local micro-climate as the maximum reservoir area is so small (26km2) and under
operational conditions will fluctuate considerably on a daily cycle. There is likely to be
some increase in humidity in nearby areas and the presence of the water body could
moderate low winter temperatures and reduce the summer maximums when compared
to the pre and without project situations.
The initial impoundment of the reservoir is likely to result in the release of Green House
Gases (GHG) as vegetation in the inundated area starts to decay. This factor has been
recognized by the World Commission on Dams (WCD), who have observed that man
made lakes are emitters of methane and carbon dioxide. However these emissions are
considerably less than fossil fuel burning power stations, although the amount and types
of gasses produced by man made reservoirs vary greatly over time due to a wide range
of factors, including size and depth of the reservoir, temperature variation in the water
body (sunlight angle is a factor), the amount of organic matter in the reservoir, circulation
patterns linked to operation and also the nature of the run-off from the upper catchment,
specifically the amount of nitrate due to agricultural chemicals being used and the
amount of human waste. There are also daily, seasonal and long term cycles for the
state of reservoir water quality and gas emissions. An evaluation will need to be made if
the vegetation cover in the reservoir should be cut or not (the development of a fisheries
system using nets may make this advisable) and if the cut material should be removed to
above the full supply level. It would in any case be sensible to make arrangements for
the removal of all useable wood material from the area and this is likely to be a
commercially viable operation that could benefit local people.
7.6.2 Ecological Environment
The potential impacts of the proposed Dasu project on the aquatic and terrestrial ecology
of the area are given in detail in Appendices C and D respectively. The results are
summarized below.
Loss of Fuel Wood and Vegetation
The issue of the need to remove vegetation from the reservoir prior to impounding has
been discussed above and this needs to be considered as part of a wider reservoir
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management program. Another wider issue is that, although replacement trees will be
planted for the those flooded (it is proposed to plant four times the number lost in a
properly phased sustainable planting and coppicing system), it will take time for these to
be available as a fuel wood source. In the meantime the local population may resort to
cutting existing vegetation around the reservoir site. Such a situation will increase the
risk of erosion and faster rainfall run-off rates, resulting in increased risk sediment flow
into the reservoir, although it must be pointed out that rainfall in this are is not frequent. It
is thus vital that a management program is developed where the timber in the reservoir
area is cut and stored for use by the local population to cover for the period prior to the
new planted fuel wood source becoming available.
Impact on Biodiversity
The overall impact of the project on biodiversity is likely to be positive as the reservoir
provides an additional range of habitats. The current bio-diversity in the river bed area is
low, being very arid and rocky. Nothing of great worth will be lost but the formation of the
lake with its fluctuating water level will create a wide range of new conditions, including
habitats for water birds.
Impact on Agriculture
It is estimated that about 84 acres (34ha) of cultivated land, including some traditionally
irrigated areas, will be submerged in the reservoir area. In addition 51 acres (21ha) of
grazing land will be lost. It will be necessary to ensure that suitable replacement
provision is made for these losses. The use of the reservoir for a source of irrigation
water will need to be considered very carefully, due to the difficulties that the predicted
large daily range of water levels will create for abstraction.
Impact due to Trapping of Sediment and Nutrients
About 95% of the resident reaching Dasu dam site comes through the Indus river
whereas an insignificant contribution of 5% is made by the streams intervening Diamer
Basha and Dasu. The contribution of Diamer Basha Dam Project is planned earlier than
The Dasu project. In the first 40 years of its operation The Diamer Basha project will
retain sediment in the reservoir; thereafter sluicing of sediment is planned every year. As
The Dasu project is located downstream of Diamer Basha Dam, the inflow of sediment in
its reservoir will be regulated by the outflows from the Diamer Basha reservoir. Moreover,
capacity of the Dasu reservoir is small. At the time when Diamer Basha project starts
sluicing of sediment, the same will be undertaken at the Dasu project. Thus, in the given
setting of Diamer Basha and Dasu projects, Dasu will not be playing any role in altering
the sediment pattern in the Indus river. However the impact of detention of sediment in
the first 40 years of its operation from part of the Diamer Basha project studies.
Impact on Aquatic Life
The issue of vegetation decay in the reservoir area after it has been impounded has
been highlighted above. The nature of the ecology and how this will develop over time is
complex and each reservoir is different, as various complex inter-relationships come into
play. It is imperative to continue with the SUPARCO water quality monitoring program so
that both seasonal and longer term trends can be analyzed and particularly the changes
that the closing of Diamer Basha dam will have. Once a detailed operational model of the
Dasu reservoir is available then the water quality data can be matched with this and
estimates made of the likely nature of water quality in the reservoir and how this is likely
to develop over time and what aquatic habitats can be expected. This is crucial for the
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proposed fisheries development program. The passage of fish through the Dasu dam will
not be possible (as will also be the case at Diamer Basha) and the nature of aquatic
ecology of this reach of the river will change forever. However as part of the mitigation
program for the Dasu project it is proposed to strengthen the management of the
fisheries resources in the reach of the main river Indus downstream of Dasu Bridge. This
is in addition to developing and managing the fisheries resources in the main Dasu
reservoir.
7.6.3 Socio-Economic Environment
The impacts on the socio-economic environment during the operation stage of the
project are likely to include:
Household Livelihoods
It is anticipated that with full mitigation and enhancement programs the people losing
land and immovable assets in the reservoir should be significantly better off than they
were before the project. However, close monitoring of particularly vulnerable households
will be required in order to identify any needing additional assistance. A factor that is very
difficult to predict is the risk of disease being brought into the area, both during the in-
migration of temporary construction workers and also because of the changes in river
ecology and habitats for vectors. This includes the risk of malaria from mosquitoes in the
reservoir water body (although the cold winter temperatures may kill them off) and also
risk from diseases spread by simulium flies that will have enhanced habitats in the fast
moving water of the tailrace outlet. Both of these aspects will need to be monitored,
including regular checking of the health of local people.
Culture and Heritage
Due to the construction of the Dasu dam there will be an influx of people into the area
from other parts of the country and also a wide range of social classes. This change will
affect the cultural make up of the area, and although only temporary the effects could be
long term and permanent, changing local people’s perceptions and expectations.
Submergence of Petroglyphs at Shatial
There are 46 Buddhist petroglyphs (rock carvings) of international importance located

the upstream part of the proposed Dasu reservoir near Shatial (see Figure 1.3). A
levelling survey of these petroglyphs has been carried out (See Appendix F) and it has
been found that the cluster of these petroglyphs will not be inundated in the reservoir
even in the extreme flood conditions.
7.6.4 Summary of Impacts during the Operational Phase
A summary of the impacts that are predicted to occur during the operational phase of the
project is given by degree and permanence in Table 7.6.
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Table 7.6 Summary of Impacts during the Operational Phase
Sr.
No.
1 Ambient Air Quality √√√√ √√√√
2 Noise Pollution √√√√ √√√√
3 Solid Waste √√√√ √√√√
4 Sedimentation √√√√ √√√√
5 Micro Climate √√√√ √√√√
Fuel Wood and
6 √√√√ √√√√
Vegetation
7 Biodiversity √√√√ √√√√
8 Agriculture √√√√ √√√√
9 Nutrients √√√√ √√√√
10 Aquatic Life
11 Culture
12 Archaeological Sites √√√√ √√√√
7.7 Quantification of Significant Impacts
The quantification of impacts is listed in detail in Part A of Table 7.3. Annexure 3 part A
lists all of the items that will be lost under the reservoir and permanent works, including
land and immovable assets and improvements. These are indicated by type, unit and
quantity with a summary of the key items being given in Table 7.1. In addition Parts B
and C of Annexure 3 give the replacement quantities needed to ensure that no body is
worse off as a result of the project.
In all 417 households comprising 3,670 people will lose their homes. An estimated
2,600ha of land will be flooded of which 34ha are agricultural and 21ha are grazing land.
7.8 Valuation of Significant Impacts
The valuation of the lost land and immovable assets and improvements is also given in
Annexure 3. The valuation takes into consideration the use and productivity of the land,
including the crops that would be lost. The data in Annexure 3 is listed by type of lost
asset, the quantity and the unit value in cash terms, be it the value of production
foregone or the cost of providing an equivalent replacement at current market rates. In
some cases this may be the cost of physical relocation (graveyards for instance). The
estimates include crops, fruit and fuel-wood trees as well as all buildings, community and
public infrastructure (roads, bridges, telephone lines) in addition to private commercial
operations such as hotels, restaurants and timber stores with their associated
operations.
Part C of Annexure 3 also lists all of the costs associated with the resettlement of the
displaced people, including the provision of replacement services such as water supply,
sanitation, electricity, roads and the dislocation and livelihood allowances paid to these
people. There is also provision for a vulnerable group assistance fund if needed. In
addition a program of development enhancements has been drawn up in consultation
with local people. These include tree planting and horticulture development, poultry and
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fisheries programs along with wood working and other vocational skill promotion and
micro credit schemes, particularly for women.
The total resettlement costs, including management and monitoring have been estimated
at Rs 5.14 billion. These costs will have to be funded by the Government of Pakistan.
The costs are about 3% of the total estimated project base cost of US$ 5206 million,
which for a large hydropower project is relatively low.
7.9 External Impacts and Constraints
The existing upstream environmental constraints to the Dasu project include the possible
future changes in flow patterns of the Indus river, some of which could be attributed to
possible climate change. There is a chance of increased flows for some years as the rate
of ice and snow melt increases but after a time there will be less material to melt.
However, as it is planned to construct the dam at Diamer Basha before that at Dasu
these existing constraints will be subject to significant modification. By the time that Dasu
is constructed the main Indus inflow will be managed by the operation of Diamer Basha
dam. The main criteria for operation of this proposed cascade system is the ability to
maximize power generation at the required times and also allow water releases from
Tarbela for agricultural use downstream. Similarly the constraint of sediment inflow will
be greatly reduced by the construction of Diamer Basha dam before that at Dasu. The
main conclusion is that Dasu, being a run of river project between two existing dams will
itself not be subject to or cause major external environmental constraints.
7.10 Cumulative Impacts and Constraints
As a normal part of environmental analysis it is necessary to address the potential

cumulative impacts created by the proposed intervention. In the case of the Dasu
hydropower project this is not straightforward. As previously explained, the dam at Dasu
is to be built as part of a phased program of development for hydropower resources on
the Indus river. The proposed Diamer Basha dam and reservoir, which has significant
storage capacity, is to be built before that at Dasu so that the flows into Dasu reservoir
can be regulated and Dasu be allowed to operate as a run of river hydropower scheme
for generating electricity at peak demand time. The other significant factor is that Diamer
Basha also has to be operated bearing in mind the requirements of Tarbela dam
downstream, both in terms of power generation but also downstream water requirements
for irrigation. This complex interrelationship and operation can only be properly be
analyzed from a strategic perspective. There is a need, irrespective of the Dasu project,
to carry out an overall inter-sectoral strategic review of water management in the whole
of the catchment so that operations can be optimized within an overall strategic planning
framework. The main conclusion is that the Dasu project by itself, being a run of river
project between two existing dams, is unlikely to cause major cumulative impacts.
However the wider context of development within the whole of the river basin needs to
be considered.
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8. IMPACT MITIGATION AND REMEDIAL MEASURES
8.1 Pre-Construction Stage
8.1.1 Land Acquisition, Compensation and Resettlement
A total of approximately 2,600ha (6,439 acres) of land will need to be permanently

acquired for the construction of the project. This area has been minimized as far as
possible by moving the dam location from Axis 2 to Axis 5. Of the total land area
requiring acquisition only 1%, some 34ha (84 acres) is agricultural land, whilst 21ha (51
acres) is grazing land, the rest being the river bed or unused barren land that is mainly
steep and rocky. An estimated 3,670 people will need to be relocated from 278 housing
units comprising 417 households. It is extremely fortunate that nearly all of these
households depend on using resources outside of the reservoir area for their economic
livelihood. The houses that will be flooded are the main winter houses of households
who seasonally move to the surrounding highlands. By relocating their winter houses to
just above the full supply level and adjacent to the relocated road network it should be
possible for most households to reestablish their economic livelihoods and in some
cases enhance these as communications should be improved. In addition services such
as safe drinking water supply, sanitation and electricity will be provided, both as
replacements to that lost and also for those households who did not previously have
access to them.
The Land Acquisition Act of Pakistan is the core legislation which is used for the
compulsory acquisition of land in the country. However in the Study Area the local needs
and procedures for land acquisition are addressed through the indigenous system of
land rights and distribution. The Revenue Department and the Works and Services
Department working under the District Coordination Officer (DCO) are the institutions
with the legal remits for implementing land acquisition and compensation entitlements.
Whilst these departments have experience of land acquisition for small projects, they do
not have the capacity nor staff and equipment to plan and implement the scale of the
resettlement activities that would be required for the Dasu project, were it to be
constructed.
The Land Acquisition Act does not itself specify the compensation and assistance details
for involuntary resettlement. In the absence of national policy and guidelines for
involuntary resettlement the procedures of the World Bank, specifically their Operational
Policies for involuntary resettlement, are followed, as these would be acceptable for most
of the international funding agencies due to the fact that they follow international best
practice.
The guiding principle of the World Bank Operational Policy is that no body is to be made
worse off as a result of the project. At the feasibility stage estimates of how to provide
equivalent replacement land and lost assets have to be given, including steps to
safeguard economic livelihoods. The costs of providing these have to be included in the
financial and economic analysis of the project. Once a firm decision has been made to
go ahead with the project then a comprehensive Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) has to
be prepared that includes detailed enumeration and valuation of lost assets along with
the replacement and rehabilitation costs. The RAP should cover all the aspects of land
acquisition, resettlement and financial assistance issues required to ensure that both
directly and indirectly impacted people will be no worse off as a result of the project. The
work has to address private, communal and public infrastructure, including cultural and
archeological issues. After approval by the relevant authorities, the RAP has to be
implemented prior to the commencement of construction of the project.
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In general terms, the people who will be adversely affected shall be compensated (by
cash or in kind) for the loss of their land, along with its immovable assets and
improvements. The affected people will also be assisted financially to ensure that their
livelihoods are restored to at least pre-project levels. Households headed by women and
any other vulnerable households (if found) will be eligible for further cash assistance for
relocation and house or structure replacement and reconstruction. The detailed plans for
the resettlement will be based on a full census and valuation surveys which will provide a
complete list of all those people affected, together with the type and size of losses, along
with the amount of compensation and/or financial assistance assessed for each person
affected. The guiding principle is that compensation has to be made in a fair, equitable
and timely manner.
For the Dasu project it is fortunate that most of the households losing houses in the
reservoir area obtain most of their economic livelihood from using resources outside of
the flooded area. The key requirements of the resettlement approach will be to devise a
strategy that allows each household to maximize the range of choices open to them with
regard to selecting a new house location and the way in which this is to be designed and
constructed. Early indications are that most households would prefer to receive cash
compensation and arrange for rebuilding themselves.
Apart from privately owned houses there are also mosques and graveyards that will be
submerged. Mosques should be reconstructed at suitable locations in consultation with
local people. The relocation of graveyards is obviously a sensitive issue and the wishes
of surviving family members should be respected. This may include exhumation and
reburial. Some of the graveyards are very old and there are likely to be cases where
there are no surviving family members. This issue will require detailed investigations
during the studies for preparing the RAP and needs to be handled with care and
sensitivity in close collaboration with the local people.
8.1.2 Submergence of the KKH
Due to the impounding of the Dasu reservoir the KKH will be at risk of submergence at
the places where it currently lies below 957masl. The KKH is the most important
strategic highway in the northeast of Pakistan, providing the link to China through the
Himalayas. The KKH also provides the main route from which the local transport network
links to the national highway system and to the rest of the country. A separate study will
be needed to look at realigning the KKH, due to the requirement to make sure that its
entire length will be above 960masl along the reach of the Dasu reservoir. Such a study
has already been carried out for the Diamer Basha Dam Project in order to relocate and
upgrade the road. For Dasu, the biggest loads are transformers having laid shipping
dimension of 5.9 m long, 3.6 m wide and 3.4 m high and weight 140 tonnes. Estimates
have been made that 46km of the KKH will be inundated by the Dasu reservoir. A
preliminary study has been carried out to give a cost estimate of the relocation and
building costs of the KKH required due to the Dasu project. The results of these studies
indicate that the cost of relocating the KKH due to the Dasu project will be Rs. 3,690
million US$ 52.74 million which is 3.1% of the total project costs, the most costly adverse
impact in terms of mitigation provision. Once a decision is taken to build the Dasu project
then detailed designs will be needed for the relocation of the parts of the KKH that are
within the Dasu reservoir. The design would include construction methodologies that still
allow traffic to flow whilst it is under construction. Construction of the realignments of the
KKH will need to be programmed to be completed before impounding of Dasu reservoir.
8.1.3 Access for Local People
Five existing suspension bridges across the Indus river will be submerged due to the
8-2
impounding of the Dasu reservoir. In order to restore the access for local residents living
on the right bank of the river and its side valleys it is proposed that replacement bridges
be constructed. A detailed assessment of the replacement access requirements has
been carried out and is given in Appendix, along with cost estimates. The proposal is to
build two new suspension bridges across the reservoir located approximately one third
from each end of the reservoir. Two more river crossings will also be provided, either
along the dam crests or immediately downstream of them for both Dasu and Diamer
Basha. The planning work given in Appendix includes the results of traffic surveys across
the existing bridges. The proposed replacement bridges are big enough to take a small
truck. A replacement road network along the right edge of the Dasu reservoir is also
suggested. This right bank road would link to all of the existing roads feeding from the
side valleys. The preliminary investigation has used the detailed satellite imagery of the
area and also the Survey of Pakistan (SOP) maps so that lengths and costs could be
estimated and incorporated into the environmental and financial analysis of the project. It
is important that the replacement access facilities are in place well in advance of the
reservoir impounding and ideally should be available for use during the resettlement
exercise.
The use of ferry services on the reservoir has been considered but discounted as the
operational pattern of the hydropower station will result in very large daily fluctuations in
the reservoir water level. This makes the use of ferries impractical due to the
requirement for floating loading jetties that could accommodate a daily variation in water
level of 20 m and more. When the sediment sluicing starts, the reservoir level will drop
by about 100 m.
8.1.4 Petroglyphs (Rock Carvings)
The 46 internationally important ancient Buddhist petroglyphs (rock carvings) that lie on
the periphery of upstream part of the proposed Dasu reservoir have been subject to a
study and leveling survey and the results are given in Appendix F. From the leveling
survey, it has been found that the petroglyphs will not be inundated as a result of the
Dasu project.
8.2 Construction Stage
8.2.1 The Natural Physical Environment
Soil Erosion
The natural and physical environments of the Project area are representing typically,
rocky areas in most of the length of the reservoir. Whatever, factors in existence at pre-
project stage, will continue to remain more or less unchanged. Soil erosion is a natural
phenomenon, which will not be influenced by this project to any significant level. The
steep rocky area is already deprived of soil cover in the Project area in most of the
sections, hence project impacts on soil erosion will be non-significant.
Air Quality and Noise
The following effective measures need to be adopted for minimizing potential /adverse
impacts on ambient air quality:
- Water sprinkling, if needed on the paths and tracks that are used by construction
vehicles in order to reduce dust
- Control of vehicle speeds
8-3
- Planting of rapidly growing grasses and plants in appropriate parts of the Project
Area
- The use of old vehicles with high emissions should not be allowed during the
construction of the Project.
The baseline monitoring programme for air quality in the Project are should be extended
during the construction period to include the exhaust emissions from all of the
construction vehicles, generators and other sources, such as chimneys. The objective is
to ensure that regulatory standards for air quality are met and maintained with an
appropriate program of corrective action if required to achieve compliance. Specific
requirements are:
- Ambient air quality monitoring shall be conducted with the frequency as specified
in the EMMP. Batching plants should be sited at least 500 m away from Seo and
other villages so that the dust generated by these operations does not have any
significant adverse impact on the community. The prevailing wind direction should
be taken into account when sitting such facilities.
- Heavy duty machinery should be provided with mufflers in order to reduce the
noise to within the acceptable limits specified in the National Environmental
Quality Standards (NEQS).
- Provision of ear protection for workers on the site. The timing of construction
activities shall be discussed with nearby residents of the area with the aim of
minimizing the disturbance to the local population. This includes consideration of
the need for 24hour and seven day a week working.
- The timing of the use of explosives for excavation and quarrying shall be
discussed and publicized to local communities well beforehand. It is helpful if
blasting can be carried out to some sort of regular pattern. In rare cases it may be
necessary for some people to be temporarily evacuated during blasting at some
sites.
Liquid and Solid Waste from Construction Camps
All of the solid waste that will be generated from construction camps should be properly
collected, separated and reused, recycled and disposed of using environmentally sound
solid waste management techniques, including composting and incineration. If it is
necessary to use landfill then an appropriate site needs to be identified and a proper
sanitary landfill needs to be constructed and managed to ensure that there is no
pollution.
Toxic waste shall be handled, stored, transported and disposed of separately and in the
required manner. All liquid effluents shall require appropriate treatment to a standard that
allows them to be disposed off or re-used in an environmentally appropriate manner.
Material Quarries and Borrow Pits
Air and noise quality monitoring of quarries and borrow pits is to be carried out as
specified in the EMP. The quarries and borrow pits are to be used only for the purpose of
the project construction activities. The topsoil wherever it is found to exist in the borrow
area is to be removed and stored for re-use in site restoration and landscaping work.
Adequate arrangements are to be made for surface water run-off drainage during the
operation of quarries and borrow pits and also in the design of the post construction
restoration of the areas.
8-4
Surface Water Availability and Quality
The water needs for the construction of the project will have to be carefully assessed and
quantified, split by their quality requirements. The local population currently use springs
for their potable supply and any requirement for the project must not affect this existing
use or that for new resettlement locations. The availability of water of an appropriate
quality and the need to treat this should be taken into consideration when locating
construction camps and also other major users of water, such as batching plants. The
reuse of water should also be considered in the design and operation of plants such as
those for screening and washing of materials.
A water management plan will need to be presented and approved before the
commencement of construction operations and the relevant permits will need to be
obtained from the appropriate institutions for abstraction. Proposals will also have to be
given as to appropriate waste water treatment and management. Toxic waste from the
construction camps and workshops, including oil, grease, should be transported to an
appropriate treatment and disposal facility. The measures required for the
environmentally sound management of solid waste have already been outlined above.
The contractor must ensure that that there will be no contamination of the surface water
sources in the area, including the main Indus River and also the side streams (Nullahs).
In addition care must also be taken that there is no pollution to groundwater.
8.2.2 The Natural Ecological Environment
Loss of Timber
The loss of 20,000 existing trees in the inundated area is to be mitigated by the planting
of 80,000 replacements around the reservoir edge. A management plan for the reservoir
area needs to be drawn up that considers the need to clear the reservoir area of
vegetation, bearing in mind potential water quality issues and the future use of the area
for fishing with nets. Normal practice is to compensate individuals and communities for
the loss of their economic trees (be they for fuel-wood or other uses) and also allow them
to clear as much of the timber as they wish before a specified cut off date. Any remaining
useable timber should then also be recovered and any standing trees felled before the
reservoir impounds. The need to remove non economic timber from the reservoir will
then have to be assessed.
The planting of replacement trees needs to be started well in advance of the impounding
of the reservoir. The replanting needs to be phased over time and with a mixture of local
species that have economic use. The aim is to produce mixed age and species stands
that have a sustainable economic use and will regenerate. A major objective is to try and
avoid a gap in the supply of fuel-wood to the local community that forces them to cut
existing material from outside the reservoir area and hence increase the risk of erosion
and sedimentation into the water body.
The growth of grassland in the draw down area for use as fodder has been considered
but this is difficult because of the very wide variations in daily water levels of the
reservoir due to the operating requirements of the hydropower station. However the
planting of fodder crops above the full supply level should be considered, as this can go
some way towards alleviating the dearth of browse that already exists in the area. A
detailed Forestry Development Plan should be drawn up for the reservoir and its
surrounding immediate catchment area in conjunction with the Forest Department. As
part of the management plan a set of tree nurseries should be established at an early
stage to kick start the replanting program.
8-5
Loss of Fruit Trees and Crops in the Reservoir Area
The loss of cultivated land and standing crops, along with fruit and other economic trees,
will be compensated for by payment of equivalent cash compensation to individuals and
communities. In addition a development program for replacement agricultural land and
also horticulture production (including a specially targeted potato production component)
is proposed to be implemented. The aim is to enhance the existing tree and vegetation
cover in the area in a manner that has economic benefit for the local population, as well
as improving the natural environment.
8.2.3 The Socio-Economic Environment
Job Opportunities for Local People
The construction of the Dasu dam project will provide opportunities for wage paid
employment for people of various types and levels of skills. This includes direct
employment with the contractors and also secondary service jobs. In order to maintain
good relations with the local communities it is advisable to first offer appropriate jobs to
local people. To try and maximize the possibilities for wage paid employment for local
people it will be necessary to set up appropriate training programs for them in order to
obtain the skills required before construction of the project commences, as well as
providing on the job training. Care may also need to be exercised in mixing local staff
with that brought in from outside to avoid potential social problems and conflicts.
Access for Local People and Cultural Issues
During the construction stage care will need to be taken to avoid possible confrontations
and social friction between temporary in-migrants and the local people, who will
understandably be aggrieved to some degree by the loss of their land and houses that
have been held by them for many generations. Sensitivity is required in the locating of
construction camps and contractor’s staff will need to be carefully briefed and perhaps
their freedom of movement restricted in order to avoid any chance of conflict with local
people. The contractor’s staff will also need to be briefed as to the accepted social
norms, customs and traditions expected by the local community. This is particularly the
case with attitudes to women which is a very sensitive issue with the local community.
The contractor will be required to maintain close liaison with the local communities in
order to ensure that any potential conflicts, including those related to common resource
utilization for the project are identified early on and amicably resolved through
consultation with local people and their representatives.
Inconvenience to Local Residents and Accidental Risks
The construction operations will need to be well managed to try and minimize the
disruption to local people. The site is cramped with a lack of flat land for locating
construction camps (which may well have to be multi-storey) and processing machinery,
along with material storage areas. Effective management will be needed by the
contractor to minimize noise, dust, smoke and other pollution to the remaining resident
communities. The site will need to be well secured to prevent local people exposing
themselves to hazards, particularly in locations where explosives are being used and
stored. Areas of excavation and places were plant is working also need to be effectively
fenced off to prevent local people, and particularly children, from putting themselves at
risk. Full health and safety procedures will need to be drawn up for the site which, at the
absolute minimum must follow the statutory requirements. This will include the provision
of adequate safety and protective clothing, including head, eye, ear and foot protection
8-6
along with high visibility garments. An appropriate set of evacuation procedures will need
to be devised and rehearsed and adequate provision of medical facilities will need to be
provided on site to deal with a major accident.
A well managed law and order security system will need to be established for the whole
of the Project Area and particularly the construction site in order to ensure that both local
residents and project workers can go about their lives without fear.
8.3 Operational Stage
8.3.1 Natural Physical Environment
Ambient Air Quality, including Noise and Vibration
The WAPDA managed environmental monitoring program for air, noise and water quality
will be continued through into the operating stage of the project. The design of the
program will cover the protocols for sampling and analysis, including locations and time
frequencies, along with the reporting requirements, information dissemination and a
feedback system that allows any required corrective action to be carried out. One of the
most sensitive areas for noise and vibration generation in the operational stage of
hydropower projects is from the turbine house. However as the power house is
underground the potential problem will be significantly diminished. The noise and
vibration impacts should be evaluated in detail during the detailed design phase of the
project. The main increase in air pollution emissions during the post construction period
is likely to come from the rebuilt and improved KKH. This is not a direct impact that can
be attributed to the Dasu project.
Solid Water
There will be a relatively small amount of solid waste generated from human activities
during the operation of the project. In order to prevent potential pollution to groundwater,
the air and landscape an environmentally sound waste management program will be
required. This should include waste separation, reuse, recycling and composting of
organic matter with the residual being incinerated rather than sent to landfill.
8.3.2 Sedimentation
The main existing sediment source from the Indus river will be trapped behind the dam at
Diamer Basha following its construction. The sedimentation studies for the Diamer
Basha project indicate about 37 million tons of sediment passing through per annum
which is only 20% of that passing before the construction of the dam. It is estimated that
it would be 40 years before the flushing of sediment through the Diamer Basha Dam
would commence on annual basis. During the flushing period power generation at
Diamer Basha would be shut down. Sediment flushed from Diamer Basha will have to be
flushed from Dasu reservoir to maintain its operational storage capacity. During flushing,
power generation at Dasu will also be shut down. To minimize adverse impact of the two
shut downs, timing for flushing of the sediment will be staggered on the two projects with
a gap of 4 weeks or so, flushing at Dasu following that at Diamer Basha.
In addition to the releases from Diamer Basha, a small source for the Dasu reservoir is
from the side streams flowing directly into the Dasu reservoir downstream of the Diamer
Basha dam. Sedimentation studies conducted for Dasu Project have estimated an
average annual yield of 10 million tons of sediment from the side streams. The quantity
is only 5 % of sediment coming from Indus river. The Dasu sedimentation studies have
further estimated that 40 years of sediment coming from the side streams and the
8-7
Diamer Basha outflow can be accommodated in Dasu reservoir without impairing its
power generation capabilities. Therefore, sediment from the side streams is not likely to
have any significant adverse impact on Dasu Project.
8.3.3 Green House Gas Emissions
The overall impact of the Dasu hydropower project will be to avoid the increase in
greenhouse gas emissions that would result if fossil fuel burning thermal power stations
were to be constructed instead of the Dasu project. In addition the planting of 80,000
trees to replace the 20,000 that will be flooded in the reservoir is a benefit. The initial
ecology of the reservoir is hard to predict but the volume of organic matter is relatively
low as the area is arid and relatively sparsely vegetated so the volume of greenhouse
gasses produced during vegetation decay is not thought to be high.
8.3.4 Natural Ecological Environment
Reduction in Nutrient Levels of Water to Downstream Users
The reduction of sediment load in the water that will be returned into the river
downstream of the tailrace may result in fewer natural nutrients being available in the
water which are presently beneficial to agriculturalists downstream. The current nutrient
status of the water in the Indus river needs to be assessed and future predictions made
as to water quality also considering the extra oxygenation that is likely to occur. It may be
necessary for downstream irrigated farming operations to use increased amounts of
fertilizer and manure to overcome any reduction in nutrient levels in the water. Current
practice is to use chemical urea and phosphates, the balance between them being
critical. This issue needs to be assessed in the follow up detailed studies.
Management of Reservoir and Impact of Aquatic Life
The lake created by reservoir will become a significant aquatic habitat, including water
birds as well as fish. There is an opportunity to manage the reservoir for fisheries
production with significant socio-economic benefit and also considerable improvements
in human protein availability. A targeted program is proposed for the development of
fisheries resources in the reservoir water body. This includes nurseries for the production
of fingerlings along with research and training programs for cultivation and catching
techniques, including suitable boat provision. Arrangements for processing, storage and
transportation of the catch will also have to be made. The degree to which local people
are able and willing to participate in such operations will need to be assessed and
appropriate training provision designed and given. A specific fisheries development
component has been included in the reservoir management program with suitable
budget provision.
Reforestation
The selection of appropriate fast growing economic tree species such as Kikar, Ber,
Phulahi, Ipple Ipple, Alianthus, Bakain, Siris, Pomegranate and Dodonea is critical for the
proposed replanting program of 80,000 trees. Suitable sites include areas around the
reservoir, along with existing deforested and denuded areas, especially where slopes are
steep and the erosion risk is high. Eucalyptus and Poplar trees are also suitable for
planting around the rim of the reservoir.
Development of Agriculture and Natural Vegetation
About 34ha (84 acres) of cultivated lands will be lost by the impounding of the Dasu
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reservoir. Most of these lands are seasonally irrigated. These cultivated lands will be
compensated for and alternative replacement land at locations above the reservoir full
supply level will be developed for agriculture well in advance of impoundment.
8.3.5 Socio-Economic Environment
Culture and Heritage
The situation with regard to the internationally important Buddhist petroglyphs in the
upper part of the proposed Dasu reservoir area has already been outlined and the
relevant government institution will deal with historical relics. One possibility is to create
a museum and a visitors centre to explain the project and also the relics to the general
public. This would best be done in conjunction with the Diamer Basha project who will
have to address this problem to a much more significant degree.
Great care will be needed to ensure that local people are kept accurately informed of
likely progress with the project. It would be advisable to set establish a Dasu project
public liaison group once a way forward for the project is clear. The Kohistan District has
its own strong and independent culture and heritage that is very old. This must be borne
in mind when considering any proposals for the area. With regard to the operational
phase of the project it is likely that significant changes will have already taken place as a
result of the construction of the Diamer Basha project and the rebuilding of the KKH well
before construction of Dasu commences. These trends are likely to be reinforced by the
construction of the Dasu project. The key is to allow households who wish to continue
their lifestyles as they are now to do so by maximizing the choice open to them, including
a straight replacement of lost assets.
Employment Opportunities for Local People
The promotion of alternative and more diverse means of livelihood generation is a

specific part of the overall mitigation plan for the project. These opportunities include tree
planting, agriculture diversification and fisheries. These are in addition to the possible
jobs that the construction of the project could provide for local people. However care is
needed, and even though there is a requirement to first give priority to local people for
jobs on the construction of the project, these jobs are normally temporary and may not
develop appropriate skills for long term sustainable development of local livelihoods. The
key is to use the income made during the construction period for longer term sustainable
livelihood generation activities.
Agricultural Development
Provided that the proposed land acquisition, compensation and resettlement program
goes ahead successfully as planned there should be a wider range of economic activities
available for local people, accompanied with better service provision, including
education, health, water supply, sanitation, electricity and improved access. The
specially targeted agricultural development activities are aimed to build on the existing
system but to offer the chance of diversification, particularly with the tree planting and
horticulture programs. Specific components for potato production, poultry and fisheries
are aimed to further widen the range of economic activities available after the
construction of the project has been completed. There are also specific opportunities for
irrigation and fisheries downstream of the dam.
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Safety
During the operational stage of project significant human safety issues will arise due to
the impounding of the reservoir. These include the need to raise awareness of the
dangers of drowning in the reservoir, especially due to the rapid changes in water level
that will be experienced and the currents that will be created by the operation of the
inlets. This issue is particularly important for children and a program should be instigated
through the local schools to warn of these dangers.
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9. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING PLAN
9.1 Objectives of Environmental Management and Monitoring
This section of the EIA report provides an overall approach for managing and monitoring
the environmental issues raised by the construction and operation of the Dasu
Hydropower Project. The objective is to provide an overall framework for implementing
the mitigation measures that adequately address the identified adverse impacts and also
the enhancements for predicted positive impacts. In addition the items that require
monitoring of the environment are also identified. All of these measures are to be put into
a coherent Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP), complete with the
institutional arrangements and resources required to successfully implement the required
actions. The costs of implementing the EMMP are to be included in the overall project
costs and financial analysis. The EMMP is a dynamic document that needs to be
reviewed and updated at each stage of the project. At the current feasibility stage of the
project the EMMP gives an outline of the issues that will need to be addressed and a
cost estimate to allow for budget provision. A detailed EMMP can be prepared once it is
certain that the project is going to be implemented and a RAP has been prepared. This is
normally carried out at the detailed design stage.
The main objectives of an EMMP are to:
- Provide the details of the project impacts, along with the proposed mitigation and
enhancement measures and draw up an appropriate implementation schedule
using a Mitigation Management Matrix (MMM). A preliminary MMM is given as
Table 9.1.
- Define the roles and responsibilities of the project stakeholders, including the
project proponent, contractor, supervisory consultants and other key players.
- Identify the training requirements needed for the key role players in order for
them to effectively implement the EMMP.
- Provide a mechanism in the form of an environmental monitoring program, that
outlines which key parameters (both for the natural and social environment) will
need to be monitored and the frequency that each of these has to be carried out.
The objective is to ensure that mitigation measures are being effective in keeping
environmental conditions within prescribed limits and if they are not, then making
sure that there is an effective response mechanism that allows corrective action
to be implemented.
- Identify the resources and cost requirements for implementation of the EMMP.
9.2 Mitigation Management Matrix
The Mitigation Management Matrix (MMM), a preliminary outline of which is given in

Table 9.1, is considered to be one of the main elements of the EMMP. The MMM is to be
used as the management tool for the implementation of mitigation measures. The
mitigation management matrix should include:
- The required mitigation measures recommended in the EIA report.

- Identification of the person or institution/organization directly responsible for
adhering to or executing the required mitigation measures.
- The person or institution/organization responsible for ensuring and monitoring
adherence to the mitigation measures.
- The parameters that will be monitored to ensure compliance with environmental
standards and also with the requirements and objectives of the mitigation
measures.
- The timing at which the mitigation or monitoring has to be carried out.
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Whilst specific individuals, organizations and institutions have been delegated with the
responsibility for implementing and monitoring the mitigation measures, the primary
responsibility for the overall management of the EMMP is with the WEC. The
identification of the key institutions responsible for environmental management in
Pakistan has been covered in Section 2.3 of this EIA report. This is discussed in more
detail in Section 9.10 below in relation to specific institutional responsibilities for
implementing parts of the EMMP.
9.3 Identification of Mitigation Measures for Significant Adverse Impacts
The identification of adverse impacts has been given in Section 7 of the EIA report and
the identification of mitigation and remedial measures in Section 8. The key items are
listed below and summarized in Tables 7.1 and 7.3. These items will form part of the
EMMP, of which the RAP will be a significant component:
- Loss of houses for some 417 households comprising an estimated 3,670 people
to be compensated for by cash and/or replacement. This includes water and
sanitation facilities and electricity supply, along with allowances for disturbance
due to relocation and also livelihood allowance for three months.
- Loss of 34ha (84 acres) of agricultural land with any standing crops to be
compensated for in cash and/or replacement land and also with an agricultural
enhancement program.
- Loss of 21ha (51 acres) of grazing land to be compensated for in cash along with
the provision of a livestock enhancement program with a fodder component.
- Loss of 20,000 trees to be paid for in cash and a phased targeted replanting
program for 80,000 replacements for fruit, fuel-wood and fodder.
- Loss of existing commercial activities, including timber stores, shops, hotels and
restaurants, to be compensated for in cash and relocation.
- Replacement of public and communal infrastructure, including mosques,
graveyards, schools and a hospital along with electricity and telephone lines,
bridges and roads.
- Realignment of the KKH.
- Mitigation of the potential flooding of 46 Petroglyphs to be addressed by the
legally responsible authority.
The cost estimates for implementing these measures are given in Part A of Table 7.3. In
order to draw up the detailed EMMP, the timing and detailed institutional arrangements
for implementing these measures will need to be given. This should be done at the
detailed design stage once a firm decision has been taken to go ahead with the project.
9.4 Identification of Environmental Enhancement Measures
Enhancement measures are those proposed actions which aim to provide increased
positive impacts or mitigation measures over and above the requirement for just
equivalent replacement. These enhancement measures are particularly important for the
project area which has existing low levels of socio-economic development when
compared to the rest of the country. This situation of under development is made more
significant by the fact that the primary beneficiaries of the project (production of
environmentally sound and sustainable electricity) are likely to be the more urbanized
and better off parts of the country.
The key proposed enhancement programs are:
- Provision of safe domestic water supply, sanitation facilities and electricity

supplies for all households in the area.
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- Provision of adequate health facilities, including a public health education

program.
- Provision of adequate education facilities (specifically more and better quality
staff for primary schools and construction of more residential hostels for
secondary schools), including adult education and vocational training.
- Enhancement of the road transport system to include a full interconnecting
network to the right bank (see Technical Memo 5 for specific details).
- Economic livelihood promotion programs (with women as specific targets) having
components to address the following issues:
- Tree planting, specifically seedling nurseries for fruit, fuel-wood and fodder trees.
- Horticulture demonstration farms and a potato promotion program.
- Livestock development program, particularly for poultry.
- Fisheries development, both immediately downstream of the dam and also in the
reservoir.
- Wood production and craft industry using local materials.
- Micro credit provision and also money management advice aimed specifically at
households receiving cash compensation.
- Development program for promoting the tourist and recreational potential of the
reservoir and the surrounding area.
The cost estimates for these enhancement programs are given in Part C of Table 7.3. All
of these elements will need to be refined to be incorporated into the EMMP at the
detailed design stage of the project.
9.5 Management of Direct Construction Impacts
At the detailed design stage, when the construction program and the techniques to be
used will be finalized, a master list can be drawn up of all of the direct construction
impacts. The detailed design can then be finalized taking into account the need to
minimize potential adverse impacts. This would include drafting appropriate
environmental management clauses into the construction contracts. Once a master
checklist of direct construction impact issues has been finalized then a monitoring
checklist can be created for use by the supervising engineers during the construction
period. It is crucial to clearly define the responsibilities of each of the parties in the
construction works (contractors, supervisors and the project proponent) and that they are
entrusted with the appropriate powers to ensure that the construction of the works at the
very least follows the relevant regulatory requirements for health and safety in the widest
possible sense. There needs to be adequate budgetary provision to provide the staff for
this purpose. A crucial part of this work will be to prepare and ensure the successful
implementation of a site restoration plan.
9.6 Site Restoration Plan
The main areas that will require site restoration include the main construction site area,
workers accommodation sites, land used for vehicle and material workshops and stores
along with material excavation and storage areas and temporary access roads and
tracks. These areas will need to be restored to their original condition as far is possible
and where there has been significant change then landscaped to fit with the surrounding
area. The restoration work includes the removal of all temporary construction works and
materials, followed by the landscaping and planting of the areas, including provision of
adequate surface drainage to ensure that there will be no erosion and particularly
sedimentation into the reservoir. The following procedures will be adopted for the
restoration of the site:
- All temporary constructions built for the site development will be removed.
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- Areas used for construction camps will be restored to their previous condition as
far as is possible and where this is not then appropriately landscaped and planted
to an agreed plan.
- All toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials will be totally removed from the
site followed by treatment and environmentally appropriate disposal. During the
construction program efforts will be made to minimize the risk of oil and chemical
spills and an effective clean up program should be in place to remove these as
soon as they happen.
- All debris from construction activities should be removed from the site and
appropriately separated, reused, recycled and composted with the residual
material appropriately incinerated.
- All redundant fencing and gates will be removed and excavated pits will be
appropriately backfilled.
- All topsoil that has been removed will be stored and then used for covering
landscaped areas prior to replanting following a plan to be drawn up by the
contractor in consultation with the Supervisory Consultant (SC) and the
appropriate environmental specialists from WAPDA.
The Contractor will prepare the site restoration plan well before the completion of
construction activities and submit this to WAPDA through the SC for approval. Finally,
after the completion of the restoration process, WAPDA through WEC and other
community members will inspect the site, and provided the work has been carried out in
a satisfactory manner, give restoration clearance to the Contractor.
9.7 Reservoir Management Plan
At the detailed design phase consideration will need to be given to how the reservoir
area is to be managed during both the construction and operation of the project. Of
critical concern will be the requirement to address the need, or not, for clearing the
reservoir area of vegetation. Such a decision will have to consider the likely development
of the ecology of the lake, the type and amount of vegetation in the reservoir area and its
likely use (specifically fishing using nets). The risk of debris entering the intakes also has
to be considered. Once a clear idea of the construction program has been agreed then
an appropriate reservoir management plan can be drawn up. This should also include
the fisheries development plan for the reservoir, along with a recreation and tourism
management program for the area.
The reservoir management plan will also have to consider the need for upstream
catchment management measures in the watercourses that directly discharge into the
reservoir, based upon the results of water quality monitoring that will be carried out. The
quality of the reservoir water will also need to be monitored to ensure that there is not a
build up of nutrients that could cause problems with algal growth. If this should start to
occur, then adequate measures will need to be taken to prevent nutrient loaded water
from flowing into the reservoir.
9.8 Impact Monitoring Program
9.8.1 Objectives of the Impact Monitoring Plan
The objective of the environmental monitoring activities to be carried out during the
construction and operation stages of the project will be as follows:
- To monitor the actual project environmental impact on the physical, biological and
socioeconomic indicators that will be selected to be appropriate for such work in
order to compare appropriate indicators with the situation before the start of the
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project. The results of the monitoring will feed directly back into the EMMP
implementation so that any corrective action can be taken if necessary.
- To provide information that will allow recommend mitigation measures to be
drawn up for any unforeseen impact or where the adverse impact level exceeds
that anticipated in the EIA.
- Ensure compliance with legal regulatory requirements and also community
obligations, including health and safety at both the construction and operational
stages of the project.
- Monitor the rehabilitation of borrow areas and the restoration of the construction
site as outlined in the EMMP and the detailed plan that is to be drawn up and
approved.
- Ensure the safe and environmentally sound disposal of excess construction
materials, solid waste and effluents, along with the adequate management of
noise and dust emissions.
The main objectives of environmental monitoring during the operation phase will be to:
- Appraise the adequacy of the EIA with respect to the predicted long-term impacts
of the project on the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of the
area.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation measures proposed in the EMMP and
recommend any improvements in the EMMP if they are found to be required.
- Compile periodic incident and accident data to support analyses that will help to
minimize future risks.
- Monitor the survival rate of the proposed vegetation planting program and make
appropriate proposals to ensure that balanced mixed age and species stands
develop in the area that provide sustainable supplies of fruit, fuel-wood and
fodder for the local population.
WAPDA, through the WEC, will be responsible for ensuring that two major types of
monitoring are adequately carried out during the execution of the project activities:
(i) Compliance Monitoring - to ensure that the proposed measures in the EMMP are
adequate to achieve compliance with the NEQS and other applicable laws,
regulations and guidelines.
(ii) Effects Monitoring - to establish baseline values for environmental parameters
including air quality, water quality and noise levels, so that with and without
project situations can be compared.
9.8.2 Monitoring Strategy
All the compliance monitoring will be executed by the Contractor during the construction
stage of the project to ensure that they operate according to the regulatory framework.
Supervision of the compliance environmental monitoring work during the construction
stage will be carried out by the Supervisory Consultants (SC) with the WEC.
Environmental compliance and effects monitoring at the operational and maintenance
stage will be carried out by the WEC in their role as the Internal Monitoring Agency. The
staff working under the WEC head office and also the WEC regional office, will be
responsible for the overall management of the SC activities in the field during the
construction stage. The WEC will also ensure that an appropriate public participation and
liaison program is established and maintained throughout the life of the project. The
agencies involved during the implementation, monitoring and auditing work, along with
their roles and responsibilities, are:
9-5
Implementation and Monitoring
i) Construction Contractor
During the construction stage, the physical implementation of the specified elements of
the EMMP is the responsibility of the main Construction Contractor under the supervision
of the Supervisory Consultant who themselves are managed by WAPDA. The main
Contractor will be responsible for in-house monitoring to ensure that his construction
activities are being carried out as specified in the EMMP and according to the regulatory
framework.
ii) Supervisory Consultant
The Supervisory Consultant will be responsible for ensuring that environmental

monitoring takes place to check compliance with the regulatory framework. The SC will
specifically perform the following activities:
- Monitoring of the environmental aspects of the project during the construction

stage to ensure that the environmental requirements of the contract and the
mitigation measures proposed in the EMMP are implemented.
- Undertake critically important routine visual monitoring of construction material
waste disposal and overall environmental management practices by the main
Contractor and also any secondary or sub-contractors. These activities will
demand a continuous presence on site and the use of trained staff following
standard checklist procedures.
- Systematically checking noise levels using portable noise meters operated near
major construction equipment and machinery.
- Visual checks of exhaust emissions from equipment and vehicles on a daily
basis.
- Visual checks of airborne dust on temporary access roads, material stockpiles,
crushing plants, disturbed soil and haul tracks.
- Checks on water quality, ambient air and noise levels using suitably calibrated
instruments and at the intensity and frequency specified in the EMMP.
- To maintain environmental monitoring records and submit these as part of
monthly reports to WAPDA, describing the details of environmental monitoring
parameters, identifying any cases of non-compliance by the Contractor and what
actions have or will be taken to ensure rectification of the situation.
9.8.3 Monitoring Parameters and Frequency
The major long term impacts of the project activities are related to changes in the nature
of water resources use, specifically the impounding of a reservoir covering a maximum
area of 2,600ha. Impacts on the biological environment are also significant and are
brought about by changes in water levels and flows in the river system due to the
requirements for hydropower generation. Impacts related the socio-economic and
cultural environments are caused by land and livelihood loss that will require
resettlement and adequate mitigation and enhancement. This also includes the
disruption of the communications network and accessibility to the KKH along with
pressure on common resources that will occur during the construction period. There is
also the risk of social and cultural conflicts related to the influx of outsiders coming onto
the area during the construction period. All of these aspects require to be monitored
using the following parameters:
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i) Natural Environment
For the physical environment the following parameters will need to be regularly
monitored both before and during construction:
- Ambient air quality (mainly NOx, SOx, CO and PM10)

- Batching and crushing plant emissions (smoke, dust, etc.) during operation
- Ambient noise levels
- Water quality (drinking, surface and groundwater), for both chemical composition
and also sediment
ii) Socio-economic Environment
The impacts on the socio-economic environment will be monitored by the SC and the
WEC using changes in household economic livelihoods as a major indicator in the longer
term. The immediate indicators will be direct circumstances, such as the timely progress
of the resettlement program and the provision of equivalent replacements for lost
immovable assets. The detailed design of the socio-economic monitoring program
should wait until the RAP has been drawn up. The key will be to carry out appropriate
pre-project baseline surveys that can be replicated at relevant times after construction
has commenced. Other key aspects that will need to be monitored include environmental
and community health, safety issues, employment availability and generation, along with
physical mobility and access, especially for women.
At the construction stage of the project the Supervisory Consultant will maintain a Social
Complaints Register which will be continued during the operational stage by the WEC.
This is an open public document that allows anybody to register a complaint which must
then be thoroughly investigated and a judgment made as to its justification and the action
need to address the issue. The detailed RAP that will need to be produced, once a firm
decision has been taken to go ahead with the project, will contain the appropriate
detailed social monitoring program that will be required. The social monitoring program
will then be incorporated into the EMMP.
The frequency of monitoring will need to be related to the particular parameter and the
likely nature of the predicted impact and should not yet be fixed until a decision has been
taken to go ahead with the project and the follow up detailed environmental studies have
been carried out. The exception is the on-going SUPARCO monitoring of water, air and
noise quality that is needed for wider river basin planning and management work,
irrespective of the Dasu project (see Annex F for the first two sets of results, once form
the high flow season and one from the low flow). The SUPARCO monitoring should be
continued for at least twice a year, directly replicating the first two sets of data.
9.8.4 Post Construction Monitoring of Direct Construction Impacts
After completion of the construction phase of the project it will be necessary for post
project monitoring to be carried out. The objective of post project monitoring will be to
determine the level of residual adverse impact of direct construction impacts of the
project, if any, on the physical, biological and socio-economic environment of the Project
Area. The post project monitoring may commence within one month after the end of all
construction activities in the Project Area. An initial post project survey report will be
submitted within one month after completion of the survey. As part of the post project
monitoring, field workers will check the condition of sites restored according to the
requirements of the EMMP. The Supervisory Consultant, in consultation with WAPDA
staff, will conduct the visit and will submit the report to WAPDA.
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9.9 Environmental Risk Management
There are a range of environmental risks associated with the proposed project. Those
existing environmental conditions that act as constraints to the design, construction and
operation of the project have been outlined in Section 6 of this EIA report. These risks
include seismic activity, landslides, erosion and sedimentation, along with the longer
term implications of climate change on river flows. All of these factors have been
considered in the feasibility study of the project. The other element of risk analysis is to
ensure that the design of the dam allows the level of the reservoir to be quickly and
safely lowered in the event of an emergency, be it as a result of an earthquake, landslide
into the reservoir, flood or any other reason. The consequences of having to suddenly
drawdown the reservoir water level require that a well rehearsed emergency plan be put
into operation, including the possibility of having to evacuate people at risk in the
downstream area. All of these factors need to be included in the EMMP. The specific
question of dam safety and monitoring of the stability of structures has been addressed
throughout Pakistan by following the measures indicated below:
9.9.1 Dam Safety
Pakistan has a large number of potential dam and reservoir sites, particularly in the
upstream catchment of the Indus river system. The first major dam constructed was
Warsak which was completed in 1960. The Warsak dam was followed by the
construction of other dams, including those at Baran and Tanda. However a major
overview of water resources potential development of the area was carried out in the
Indus Basin Replacement Plan. This plan paved the way for two large dams at Mangla
and Tarbela.
In view of the critical role that these dams play in the economy of the country and the
huge potential loss of life and property that would occur if they were to fail, concern was
raised that adequate safeguards must be put in place in order to minimize such a risk. In
response to these concerns, a best practice safety monitoring system was put in place
following the arrangements formulated by the US Corps of Engineers and used in many
other developed world countries. The Dams Monitoring Organization (DMO) was first
established by WAPDA in August, 1973. It was subsequently renamed the Dams Safety
Organization (DSO) and remains part of WAPDA’s remit.
Functions of the Dam Safety Organization
Most of the high dams (there is an international definition of a high dam drawn up by
ICOLD) in Pakistan lie at locations upstream of the densely populated areas and rich
agricultural lands of the country. Failure of any such dam could have catastrophic
consequences, causing a major disaster with irreparable loss of life and property. In
order to minimize the chances of such a failure the systematic monitoring of dam
performance has been considered imperative. The Dam Safety Organization (DSO) is
responsible for the implementation of such a monitoring program for completed dams
managed by WAPDA. These include Mangla Dam, Tarbela Dam, Warsak Dam, Khanpur
Dam, Hub Dam and Chashma Barrage.
The dam safety program consists of a three tier approach. The first tier monitoring work
is carried out by the operation and maintenance (O&M) staff of the project. This first tier
work consists of observing the responses of the vast network of instruments embedded
within the various structures. The data regularly collected from these instruments is
routinely compiled and analyzed to identify any aspects of abnormal behaviour and to
devise appropriate measures for immediate action.
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The second tier of monitoring is carried out by the DSO. It is carried out by keeping a
constant watch on the flow of instrument response data from the structures received
from the first tier. The data is analyzed using the latest interpretation techniques to locate
any areas of abnormal behaviour. Suggested short term and also long term solutions are
then proposed by the DSO. The DSO also undertakes annual inspections of the
structures to check on the physical condition of the works and to make on-site appraisal
of performance data. At the end of an inspection, a comprehensive report is issued
commenting upon the physical condition of the works, abnormalities observed, their likely
causes and possible solutions. The DSO experts also visit projects whenever any
abnormal situation is reported, in order to study the phenomenon in-situ and suggest
corrective measures. In summary the DSO's functions under the Second Tier are as
indicated below:
- Carrying out annual dam inspections and issuance of inspection reports.

- Identifying physical inadequacies in the structure, any erratic performance,
identifying possible causes and then recommending appropriate corrective
measures.
- Compilation, tabulation and interpretation of performance data of structures and
issuing bi-annual safety evaluation reports.
- Paying site visits to study, diagnose and prescribe problems as they emerge.
The third tier of monitoring comprises periodic inspections of structures which are
undertaken at an interval of two to five years, depending upon the perceived risk level
and the age of the dam. These periodic inspections are to be carried out by a team
whose members have no direct connection with the operation and maintenance of the
project and may be drawn from within and also outside WAPDA. The Periodic Inspection
reports are comprehensive documents reviewing the condition of the structures,
identifying areas of concern and suggesting short term and long term corrective
measures.
The DSO has so far carried out 89 Annual Inspections and arranged 22 Periodic
Inspections of various structures. The DSO also carries out performance monitoring and
safety inspection services to both Federal and Provincial Government managed dams
throughout the country, whenever requested to do so by any agency. In this context 20
small dams of the Punjab Government have been inspected and advice given as to their
management. Similarly dams managed by the Capital Development Authority that are
used for domestic water supply are being regularly monitored and inspected by the DSO.
9.10 Institutional Arrangements for the Project and Implementing the EMMP
9.10.1 The Key Players
The three key players involved in the formulation, design, construction and operation of
the proposed project are the Project Proponent (WAPDA), the Consultant, the Contractor
and the Supervisory Consultant (SC). The roles, remits and responsibilities of these
organizations are outlined below. The wider institutional framework and institutions
involved in environmental management that are related to the project have already been
outlined in Section 2.3. These other institutions are mentioned below where they have a
direct role to play in the implementation of the EMMP.
9.10.2 The Project Proponent (WAPDA)
The Project Proponent is WAPDA, details of the structure of which have already been
given in Section 2.3 of this EIA report. Currently the project is at the feasibility stage. The
Feasibility Study is being carried out under direction of the General Manager (Hydro)
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Planning of the Water Wing of WAPDA. Following normal practice the project will be
handed on to the General Manager (Technical Services) of WAPDA if it were to go
forward for detailed design. A Project Director (PD) will be assigned to manage the day
to day detailed design tasks that would be carried out by a Consultant. At the
construction stage the project would be managed by the Chief Engineer (Coordination
and Monitoring) from WAPDA. From the detailed design stage through construction to
operation the PD will play the most important role from WAPDA’s side.
9.10.3 Project Contractor
If the proposed project goes forward for construction then WAPDA will appoint
Contractors for the construction and other project activities. It is normal practice for there
to be a number of contract packages with a main contractor for civil works and other
contractors. This is particularly the case with hydropower dams where the civil,
mechanical and electrical works are often built by different contractors. It is important to
clearly define the role of each of the contractors and their specific responsibilities for
environmental management. This can only be carried out once the nature of the
arrangements for the construction contracts have been fixed. It is critical that each
contractor has a clear appreciation of their specific responsibilities for environmental
management as defined and outlined in the EMMP. Where sub-contractors are engaged,
normally the Main Contractor has the overall responsibility for ensuring that sub-
contractors follow the requirements of the EMMP, with adequate clauses in the
contracts, including penalties, to ensure compliance, both with the EMMP and also the
wider regulatory framework for such operations in the Province and the Country. The
overall responsibility for ensuring the contractors compliance with environmental
management will rest with the Supervisory Consultant operating under the direction of
WAPDA.
9.10.4 Supervisory Consultant
During the feasibility and detailed design stages Consultants will be appointed by
WAPDA to provide specialist services. For the construction stage a Supervisory
Consultant (SC) will be appointed by WAPDA, who will be responsible for overall
management, including environmental monitoring of the construction of the project. The
Supervisory Consultant will be responsible for:
- Supervising the activities of the Project Contractor(s) and ensuring that all
contractual obligations related to the design and construction, as well as
environmental and social compliance, are met.
- Ensuring that day-to-day construction activities are carried out in an
environmentally sound and sustainable manner.
- Monitoring of the environmental aspects of project construction to ensure that the
environmental requirements of the contract and the mitigation measures
proposed in the EMMP are implemented.
- Developing guidelines and a code of good practice outlining cost effective
environmental measures that can be implemented during the construction and
maintenance period programs. This includes avoidance of potential
environmental issues by anticipating situations as part of planning for the
construction works.
- Developing and conducting environmental training activities for Contractors and
Supervision Consultant’s staff.
- Ensure that construction camps and other facilities are properly sited and
installed in accordance with the contract.
- Identification of the exact locations and timing of baseline and routine air, noise
and water quality monitoring in accordance with the contract provisions.
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- Undertake critically important routine visual monitoring of construction, waste

disposal and overall environmental management practices by the Contractor(s).
Effective environmental management during construction will require a
permanent site presence and relevant observation and anticipation skills.
- Devise appropriate and sound solutions to environmental issues as they arise.
- Assist the WEC in coordinating with the EPA, NWFP and Provincial Government
Departments, District Administration, NGOs and other public and private sector
organizations.
9.10.5 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA is the regulatory authority for environmental management and its role and legal
remit have been given in Section 2.3.1 of the EIA report. The EPA is mainly responsible
for developing and implementing national environmental policies and strategies in order
to integrate environmental issues and sustainable development approaches into the
legal and regulatory frameworks of the country. The EPA is also responsible for
assessing the effectiveness of the implementation of the environmental legislation and
regulations aimed at improving the sustainability of the use and management of natural
resources, along with the measures for conservation and rehabilitation of the
environment. The PEPA of 1997 empowers the EPA to take legal action against the non-
compliance with environmental legislation and regulations. Penalties may be imposed,
including the cancellation of permits and licenses, imprisonment, or the payment of a
cash fine equivalent to the damage caused or even both of the latter.
As the EPA is a regulatory authority, its role in the proposed Project will be as an
independent monitoring agency. The EPA can and should inspect the Project at its own
convenience or on receipt of a complaint from any person or NGO alleging non-
compliance with any environmental legislation or regulation.
The EPA for the NWFP was established in 1989 under the administrative control of the
Physical Planning and Housing Department. In 1992 the EPA was transferred to the
P&D Planning & Development as an attached Department. However the NWFP EPA has
recently been placed under a newly established Environment Department. Up until June
2003 the EPA was working with a staff of 42 but only eight of these persons had a
technical background. With the recruitment of 18 new staff for the laboratory and zonal
offices at Abbottabad, D.I. Khan and Malakand, the total staff strength is now 60. Fifteen
members of staff are working on Self-sustainable Vehicular Emission Testing Stations
(VETS). The following are the responsibilities of EPA, NWFP:
- Administer and implement the PEP Act of 1997, with its associated rules and
regulations
- Prepare appropriate Provincial procedures and guidelines for environmental
management
- Review IEE and EIA reports and follow the procedures for giving development
consents.
- Prepare, revise and enforce the NEQS covering industries, municipalities and
vehicular emissions.
- Establish and maintain testing laboratories for environmental monitoring and also
inspect and certify other laboratories that can be used for conducting
environmental testing and analysis.
- Assist local Councils, Authorities and Government Agencies in the sound
environmental execution of projects.
- Establish a system for conducting surveys, monitoring, examination and
inspection to combat pollution.
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- Conduct appropriate environmental training for Government functionaries and

industrial management.
- Provide information and education to the public on environmental issues.
- Publish the Annual State of the Environment Report for the Province containing
surveyed qualitative and quantitative data on air, soil, water, industrial, municipal
and traffic emissions.
- Take measures to promote environmentally related research and development
activities.
9.10.6 Local Government
The proposed Dasu project site is located within the jurisdiction of Kohistan District of the
NWFP and also Gilgit Agency. The District Administration is responsible for monitoring
project activities to ensure the implementation of local regulations for land use,
conservation of natural vegetation, air, water and land pollution, along with the disposal
of solid and liquid waste effluents in addition to matters related to public health and
safety.
Pakistan's four provinces enjoy considerable autonomy. Each province has a Governor,
a Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister and a Provincial Assembly. Members
of the Provincial Assembly are elected by universal adult suffrage. The Provincial
Assembly also has reserved seats for minorities and women. Although there is a well-
defined division of responsibilities between Federal and Provincial Governments, there
are some functions for which both governments can make laws and establish
departments for their execution. Most of the services in sectors such as health,
education, agriculture, and roads, for example, are provided by the Provincial
Government. Although the Federal Government can also legislate in these areas, it
confines itself to making national policy and handling the international aspects of
provision of such services.
9.10.7 District Government of NWFP
The Government of Pakistan introduced the system of Local Government at the District
level in 2001 with the following tiers.
1. Union Council (lowest level)

2. Tehsil/Town Council
3. District/City District
The roles and functions of these are:
Union Council:
A 33% representation for the female electorate has been provided, along with a
minimum 5% representation for the peasants, laborers and minorities of the country.
Under this system the minimum age of voting was reduced from 25 years to 18 years.
The composition of the Union Council, which consists of 21 members, is as follows:
Sr.No. Category Male Female Seats

1 Nazim/Naib Nazim - - 2
2 General Council 4 2 6
3 Peasant/Labourers 2 2 4
4 Minorities - -
The Nazim of the Union Council, who previously had the dual function as the
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administrative head of the Union Council as well as the Convener, has now been
relieved from the post of Convener and the Naib Nazim Union Council performs the
function of the Head of the Council.
Tehsil/Town Council:
The Naib Nazims elected in their respective Union Council are members of the
Tehsil/Town Council. The representation of 33% female and 5% peasant/laborers and
minorities for the Tehsil/Town Councils is maintained through an electoral college
system. The Nazim and Naib-Nazim of the Tehsil/Town Council are also elected using
an electoral college system from the members of the Union Councils in the respective
Tehsil/Town. The Nazim of the Tehsil/Town Council is the Administrative Head of the
TMA. The Naib-Nazim of the Tehsil/Town Council is the Convener of the Council.
District Council:
The Nazims elected in their respective Union Councils are members of the District
Council. The guaranteed representation of 33% female and 5% peasant/laborers and
minorities is also replicated through the election system for which the Electoral College is
the members of the Union Council in the respective District. The Nazim and Naib-Nazim
of the District Council are also elected with the electoral college for them being the
elected members of the Union Council in the respective District. The Nazim of the District
Council is the Administrative Head of the District. The Naib-Nazim of the District Council
is the Convener of the District Council.
Functions of Local Government
The present system of Local Government gives considerable responsibility and power to
the elected representatives and they have total freedom in decision making. They are not
bound to be dictated to by the machinery of Central Government. This has created a
highly decentralized form of local government with the result that any intervention
proposed by the Central Government or its agencies has to be fully discussed with the
local government elected representatives and a positive consensus gained before it can
go ahead. This is particularly relevant for the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project. By
abolishing the previous posts of Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant
Commissioner their powers have now been vested in the elected Nazmeen provide
opportunities for previously deprived communities to approach and represent their
grievances which could not be done so easily in the past.
9.10.8 Northern Areas
The Northern Areas of Pakistan (see Figure 1.2) include the Karakoram mountain range
with some of the highest land in the world, with altitudes ranging from 1,000, (3,000ft) to
9,270m (28,250ft) above msl. The landscape includes continuously and seasonally snow
covered peaks, glaciers, lakes and deeply incised narrow valleys.
The Northern Areas have three administrative districts, namely Gilgit, Diamer and
Baltistan with twelve sub-divisions. There is a Deputy Commissioner for every District
and a Commissioner for the whole of the Northern Areas. The Federal Ministry of
Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas is responsible for the policy and administration of
these areas.
The present Central Government has taken significant and timely steps to delegate
financial and administrative power to the Northern Areas. These actions were eagerly
awaited by the people of this region and now the general perception is that many local
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problems can and will need to be addressed at the grassroots level rather than from
Central Government direction. However, a full-fledged secretariat for the Northern Areas
Chief Executive would need to be established in Gilgit, so that the problems of the
Northern Areas can be solved locally.
9.10.9 Non-government Organizations (NGOs)
The quality of life and the provision of basic services to the general public remained
questionable. In the recent years a renewed interest in self-help initiatives for achieving
sustainable development with the help of NGOs, community-based organizations
(CBOs), village organizations (VOs) and other private sector institutions are gaining
importance. Some of such NGO’s would be associated towards facilitating the
developmental work, so as to continue to provide assistance to the project area
population for their betterment in the field of sociology, health, care, clean water supply.
9.10.10 Suggested Institutional Arrangements for the Implementation of EMMP
For implementation of the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures plus further
updating and refinement of the EMMP, then WAPDA, as the project proponent, will be
ultimately responsible for ensuring that this is successfully accomplished. WAPDA will be
the owner of the EMMP and will manage the process, using Consultants during the
detailed design process and a Supervisory Consultant during construction of the project.
It is suggested that WAPDA should execute the implantation of EMMP through the WEC.
9.11 Change Management Plan
The EIA and the EMMP have been drawn up during the Feasibility Stage of the Dasu
project. However these are dynamic documents and it is foreseen that during the
detailed design stage they will be updated and the EMMP will be refined. The refinement
of the EMMP will need to take account of the results of the monitoring of air, noise and
water quality that is being routinely carried out twice a year. In addition any major
changes in the design of the project will need to be reviewed in the light of possible
environmental impacts and if necessary then any additional mitigation and enhancement
programs be added to the EMMP. During the construction stage of the project,
monitoring will need to be accompanied by a rapid feedback decision taking system that
allows any corrective action to be taken if things are not as predicted. The whole
environmental management system is a dynamic process that has to be responsive and
also anticipate conditions.
Specific actions that will need to be made include the following:
- At the detailed design stage the EMMP should be updated and refined to take
into consideration changes in the design and also the results of detailed studies
carried out to formulate the RAP. This work will be carried out by Consultants
who will also be responsible for the updating the EIA report to a level that it can
be submitted by WAPDA to the EPA for the necessary clearances.
- Once a Main Contractor has been appointed then a meeting will need to be held
between WAPDA, the Supervisory Consultant and the Main Contractor to clearly
define the environmental management responsibilities of each party. The detailed
nature of the EMMP will need to be discussed and agreed, including a matrix of
items and responsibilities related to the timing of the construction works and the
contracts.
- Based upon the discussions during the meeting, a Change Report will be
collectively produced which will include any recommended modifications needed
to the EMMP.
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- The Change Report will be submitted to the EPA of the NWFP for final approval
and form part of the EMMP.
- All relevant project personnel will be given information of the required changes to
the EMMP.
9.12 Environmental Performance Auditing
An Environmental Performance Audit of the proposed Project will be carried out both
internally by WAPDA (on monthly basis) and also externally by an external auditor (on
monthly basis). The primary aim of the audit is to assess compliance and effectiveness
of the EMMP with the regulatory requirements. In addition the overall environmental
assessment of the project will need to be checked against key environmental and social
policy objectives of the country. The audit will also suggest remedial measures to
overcome any additional environmental and social problems that are anticipated or start
to occur.
The main objectives of the audit process are:
- To evaluate if the monitoring carried out by the Supervisory Consultants is in

compliance with the targets set out in the EIA report and the EMMP.
- To ensure conformity of the environmental and social management process with
the specified requirements for the project. If any non-conformity is identified, then
appropriate actions to correct this are to be draw up.
- To ensure that the regulatory requirements and commitments are being met.
9.13 Training Requirements for Environmental Management
The WEC - WAPDA is having offices at the headquarters level in Lahore and at the
Ghazi Barotha project. Appropriate key technical staff may be provided with both in-
house and relevant overseas training in environmental management monitoring and
auditing for the benefit of future development projects.
9.14 Environmental Management Communication and Documentation

Requirements
9.14.1 Kick-Off Meeting
An initial kick off meeting will take place between the WEC, SC and Main Contractor
before the start of construction. The purpose of this kick off meeting will be to outline the
environmental regulatory and monitoring requirements prior to the start of physical
activity on the site. The responsibilities of each organization should be clearly laid out
and agreed.
9.14.2 Meetings and Reports
Monthly environmental management meetings will be held during the construction phase
of the project at the construction site. The purpose of these meetings will be to discuss
the activities of the previous month and identify any non-compliance noted by the SC
and WEC, along with suggested remedial measures. The meetings will be chaired by the
representative nominated by WEC. The meetings will be recorded in the form of a
Monthly Environmental Report (MER) to be prepared by the SC and reviewed by WEC.
The report will include but not be limited to:
- Summary of project activities during the last month;
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- Supervisory Consultant’s and WAPDA’s monitoring activities, along with the

Contractors self monitoring operations;
- Summary of the results of environmental monitoring activities;
- Identification of cases of non-compliance that have been observed and what
mitigation measures have been taken or are required.
The following documents will be prepared during the implementation of EMMP:
Social Complaints Register
The SC will maintain a register of complaints received from local communities and the
measures taken to mitigate these concerns during the construction stage of the project.
A similar register will be maintained by WEC field staff during the operational stage of the
project. All community complaints received will be sent to the Project Director (PD) for
their attention and possible action.
Change Record Register
All changes to the EMMP and any changes in the project which have environmental
management implications will be handled through the Change Management Plan
referred above. During the construction stage the SC will be responsible for maintaining
the change record register, whilst during the operational stage the head of the WEC
working at site will maintain the register. The register will record the nature of the change
along with the date, and the persons responsible for proposing the change and the
action taken to obtain approval for the change from the PD.
Final Environmental Monitoring Report
After completion of the construction stage of the project, a Final Environmental

Monitoring Report will be prepared by the SC in collaboration with the staff of the WEC.
The report should cover the following items and be structured in a logical manner:
- Introduction and Context

- Scope, Resources and Methodology of the Environmental Monitoring Work
- Details of Relevant Project Activities
- Project Construction use of Natural Resources and Impacts on these
- The Recording and Statistical Analysis of Non-compliance with Environmental
Standards
- Environmental Impacts of Project Construction on the Natural Physical and
Natural Biological Environment (including wildlife)
- Environmental Impacts of Project Construction on the Local Communities
- Recommendations for Environmental Management of Future Similar Projects.
Photographic Record
The SC and the Main Contractor will maintain a detailed photographic record of all
aspects and locations of the environmental management of the implementation of the
project. At the minimum the photographic record will include images of all of the various
construction and related sites, including access tracks and roads, staff accommodation,
quarries, material storage, crushing and batching plants. A photographic record should
be kept of all specific environmental management issues and problems as they arise.
Images taken at exactly the same location but at differing times through the construction
works will be particularly valuable.
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9.14.3 Document Control for Environmental Management
One of the primary aims of efficient document control is to ensure that only the latest
authorized version of relevant documents shall be used. All documents shall be dated
and assigned a Document Control Number indicating the version. This is to ensure that
the most up-to-date version of any document is in use. The EMMP and any attached
procedures will be constantly updated. All updated documents shall be signed by the PD
as the “issuer”. The original hard copy version of each document shall be kept in the
official file drawer location at the WEC site office. A full copy is also to be filed at the
WEC headquarter. Electronic files shall all be dated and saved on a shared computer
directory so that they can be openly accessed but not changed. The current versions of
all EMMP documents are to be saved in a folder labelled “Current” and the superseded
versions are saved in a folder labelled “Archived” and marked as ‘Obsolete’ but still
retained for future reference. A Compact Disc (CD) backup of the EMMC and its
associated documents should also be made after each major revision and at additional
times to be decided by the WEC.
9.15 Auditing
The audit of the proposed Project will be carried out both internally by WAPDA and
externally by external auditor. The primary aim of the auditing is to assess compliance
and effectiveness of the EMMP as well as the alternative environmental and social
objectives, and also to assess the effectiveness of previous corrective actions. Audit will
also suggest remedial measures to overcome the environmental and social problems.
9.15.1 Social Protocols – Health Safety & Environmental
Safety hazards for workforce and local communities arising from construction activities,
blasting, road crossing, etc.
- Use of safety gadgets by the workforce.

- Interruption of access of local people to natural resources and to places of socio-
economic activities.
- Integrity of privacy of local people particularly women folk.
- Sanctity of religious and cultural properties.
In addition to the training arranged and imparted by the ES, the Supervision Consultant
will train the staff working under the project’s contractors and the IPDA’s regional staff, in
environmental compliance and the daily monitoring of construction projects. The cost of
this training will be included in the budget of services provided by the Supervision
Consultant.
9.15.2 Project Implementation Schedule
A preliminary project implementation schedule has been prepared and has been given
as Table 3.3, the Activity Schedule. No specific start date for the commencement of the
construction has yet been given but the sequence of activities has been phased and
fixed against a zero time start date. Once a decision has been taken to go ahead with
the project then the implementation program can be refined and dated during the
detailed design phase. his will then allow the key events that have environment
implementation schedule fixed.
9.16 Follow on and Additional Suggested Environmental Studies
Currently the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project is at the Feasibility Study Stage. After
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the completion of the Feasibility Study and its review then a decision can then be taken
as to if the project should ago ahead, and if so then when. The following environmental
studies are suggested at the Detailed Design Stage of the Dasu project:
- Updating of the EIA at the Detail Design Stage

- Preparation of a Land Acquisition and Resettlement Action Plan (LARAP)
- EIA of the KKH relocation works needed for the Dasu project
- EIA of the proposed Transmission Lines for the Dasu Project
- EIA of the proposed Grid Station for the Dasu Project
- Full Feasibility Study and Detailed Design of the Reconstruction of the
Communication Bridges across the Indus River and the replacement road
communication network required as a result of the construction of the Dasu Dam
- Finalization of the EMMP
9.17 Environmental Costs
The environmental costs of the project are summarized below. Detailed cost estimate is
given in Table 9.2.
Item Amount
Description
No. (Million Pak Rs.) (Million US $)
A Land & Other Compensation 5,955 85

B Environmental Mitigation Measures 5,948 85
C Resettlement 511 7
D Environmental Monitoring 116 2
Total Cost 12,530 179

1 US $ = Rs. 70
9.17.1 Compensation and Mitigation Costs
The financial costs of the land acquisition and the compensations are given in Part A and
the mitigation costs in Part B of Table 9.2. These costs will need to be included in the
project cost and financial analysis. Most of these costs will be incurred very early on in
the construction of the project and it is imperative that the land acquisition, compensation
and resettlement program is completed before the contractors will require access to the
land.
The Project’s own environmental management costs, including those related with the
provision and construction of environmental mitigation infrastructure, such as solid waste
management, storm water drainage, provisions for safety equipment, fire fighting, etc.
should be included in the Detailed Design and Contract Documents of the Project and
will also be the part of Project Construction Cost.
The Operation and Maintenance cost of the environmental mitigation infrastructure for
the construction and operation of the project will be borne by the Project. A methodology
will be evaluated by the WEC at the commencement of the Operation Stage for provision
of such services.
9.17.2 Environmental Monitoring Cost
The Environmental Monitoring costs for the project are shown as a lump sum in Part D of
Table 9.2. However these do not include the Contractor’s environmental self monitoring
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program activities which should be part of the construction contract. Similarly the
Environmental Monitoring to be carried out by the Supervisory Consultant will be part of
his contractual obligations. The cost for internal environmental monitoring and auditing
that has to be carried out by the WEC staff, including the purchase of the required
equipment, has to be included in the overall project budget.
9.17.3 Training Cost
The cost of the project environmental training program that has been outlined above has
to be included in the project budget. The cost estimates of the various items of the
training costs are summarized in Part C of Table 9.2.
9.18 Residual Adverse Impacts
Provided that the mitigation and enhancement measures that are outlined in this report
are successfully implemented then it is envisaged that all adverse environmental impacts
can be adequately mitigated for to the extent that no person should be worse off as a
result of the project. It is also envisaged that the mitigation and enhancement program
will not require WAPDA to commit itself to paying out significant sums of money for
compensation after the project has been constructed and it operational.
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Sheet 1 of 3
Table 9.1: Mitigation Management Matrix WEC, WAPDA Environmental Cell

CC Project Contractor
SC Supervisory Consultant
LG Local Governmnet
EPA, Environmental Protection Agency
Sr Responsibility Action/Monitoring
No Impact Mitigation Measure Timing
Execution Monitoring Parameter/Monitoring Method
.
Machinery, load carrying vehicles and other sources of Proper tuning and maintenance of the
Air Quality air pollution such as diesel generators etc. during the machinery, load carrying and other During Construction
1 1.1 CC SC
Degradation construction phase should be tuned up and kept well vehicles should be made mandatory at stage.
maintained. the site.
Regular inspection of machinery and vehicles should
be conducted to check tuning and maintenance during Records of tuning, maintenance and
1.2 CC SC "
construction stage in order to minimize the pollutants fitness certificate should be checked.
emission in the atmosphere.
Proper awareness be created among the workers about
Proper awareness campaign schedule Prior and during
1.3 the hazards of air pollution to make the mitigation CC SC
should be prepared and implemented. construction.
measures more efficient.
Particulate emissions from the cement batching plant
Feasibility of such type of equipment
should be controlled by installation of particulate During installation of
1.4 CC SC based on the efficiency and cost should
trapping equipment such as scrubbers, air bags etc. at concrete batch plant.
be ascertained prior to the installation.
the source.
Dust particulates during the earthworks can be avoided Arrangement of proper and effective During the excavation
1.5 CC SC
by regular sprinkling of water on the area. water sprinkling system will ensure this. activities.
Bitumen/Coal tar fumes emissions during the
During the construction
construction phase can be avoided by using chemicals Monitoring and checking the
1.6 CC SC and laying of bitumen
which prevent bitumen fumes being released into the effectiveness of the use of chemicals.
coat.
atmosphere.
Emissions of particulate matter, SO2, NOx, CO from the
Fitness certificate checking at check Should be initiated prior
vehicles during the operation stage should be
posts and local traffic police should to operational phase
1.7 minimized by checking the fitness certificate of WEC SC
check the privately owned vehicles and continued during
commercial vehicles and periodic checks on privately
fitness. operation phase
owned vehicles.
Machinery and load carrying vehicles should be
Strict compliance in this regard is During construction
2 Noise Pollution 2.1 provided with proper silencers to reduce the noise CC SC
necessary. stage.
emissions.
During the design phase, location of
Location of cement plant and other plants should be
plants that would be installed at the site During planning and
2.2 away from the residential as well as working area to CC SC
should be decided keeping in view the design stage.
avoid the ill effects of noise pollution.
mitigation measures.
During the monitoring area of high
Use of noise absorbing material at the working area to noise level will be identified after which During construction
2.3 CC SC
lower the level of noise. noise absorbing material should be stage.
placed at those locations.
Sheet 2 of 3

LG Local Governmnet
.
Contractor should supply PPEs to all
2.4 Use of PPEs at the area identified as noisy. CC SC .- do -
types of workers/staff.
Local traffic police should check the
Use of pressure horns and damaged silencers on the
2.5 WEC SC use of pressure horns and damaged During operation stage
road during the operation phase should be banned.
silencers.
Contamination
Sewage generated from the workers' camps should be Proper design of treatment plants on During construction
3 of Ground and 3.1 CC SC
treated prior to its final disposal. small scale at the camp area. stage.
Surface Water.
Strict check should be maintained to
prevent the workers from discharging
3.2 Soaking pits should be provided at the site. CC SC .- do -
liquid effluents into the surface water or
ground.
Other liquid wastes from the various sources should be
Proper treatment should be provided to
disposed of properly. No wastewater should be allowed
3.3 WEC SC such waste before disposal into the .- do -
to be discharged into the ground or surface water
surface water.
without any treatment.
Provision for proper
Liquid waste generated during the construction phase
Proper drainage system of the road drainage system
3.4 by the increased human activity along the road should CC SC
should be provided. should be made in the
not be allowed to affect the soil.
design.
Clearing of Keep the excavation as per
During the construction stage, it should be ensured that
natural requirements and also restrict the During construction
4 4.1 damage to the vegetaiton and flora loss should be kept CC SC
vegetation and movement of machinery and heavy and operation stages.
to the minimum.
flora vehicles to the specified area.
Clearing of trees, if required, should be kept as per
During construction
4.2 minimum and plantation against each tree should be CC SC Proper plantation should be ensured.
stage.
ensured.
Workers' camps should be provided
Workers should not be allowed to consume local wood with cooking facilities and other heating During construction
4.3 CC SC
for cooking and other purposes. arrangements such as use of natual stage.
gas etc.
Food for wildlife mainly grazing animals should be Natual grazing fields should be
Disturbance to Prior and during
5 5.1 preserved as much as possible. Plantation should also CC SC preserved and plantation should be
Wildlife construction.
be done during the construction stage. done more effectively.
During design and constuction stage
Destruction of habitat should be avoided as much as
emphasis should be given to the Prior and during
5.2 possible. Construction activities should be restricted to CC SC
alignment, which should not distrub the construction.
the site only.
natural habitat of the wildlife.
Sheet 3 of 3

LG Local Governmnet
.
Arrangements should be made so that the wildilfe Ecological conditions should be created
EPA / During construction
5.3 migrating due to the project activities can survive at SC which will provide shelter to the
WEC stage.
other places. migrating wildlife.
Worker's camps should be placed at locations which Selection of proper site for the workers' During construction
5.4 CC SC
are likely to disturb the wildlife as little as possible. camp. stage.
A large volume of solidwaste will be generated during For this purpose a competant agency
Solidwaste During Construction
6 6.1 the construction stage on the site. Its proper collection, CC SC should be hired who will be responsible
Management stage.
storge and disposal is required. for the soild waste mangement.
Placement of solid waste collection
Similarly the solidwaste generated at the workers' camp drums and after storage their final During construction
6.2 CC SC
area should also be properly collected and disposed of. disposal should be done in an stage.
environmtally friendly manner.
It will need proper assessment and
evaluation in order to compensate the
WEC / Prior to construction
7.1 Impacts on Cultural Values due to resettlements SC owners in a judicious manner or
LG stage
accommodate all affectees at possible
nearest locations.
Socio- Local population (Labour) must be Prior to construction
7 7.2 Employment of Unskilled Labour CC SC
economic preferred during the construction stage stage
Proper arrangement of Health facilities
for workers and staff members of
WEC / Prior to construction
7.3 Health Conditions SC Project related persons during
LG stage
construction, operational and continued
during operational phase.
Note: WEC will overall make a check on SC & CC responsibilities redarding the actions to minimize the pollution and will EPA may assist WEC in proper
implementation of the mitigation measures.
Sheet 1 of 2
Table 9.2 Environmental & Resettlement Costs
Detailed Estimate
Item Rate Cost % age of

Description Unit Quantity Remarks
No. (Rs) (Rs) Total Cost
A LAND AND OTHER COMPENSATION COST
A-1 Area Under Project

a.Reservoir Area(Barren) Acre 4,200 200,000 966,000,000 16.222 Barren Area + 15% (OP4.12)
b.Dam Components Area(Range) Acre 1,134 800,000 1,043,280,000 17.520 Land Cost + 15% (OP4.12)
A-2 Agricultural Land Acre 84 2,000,000 193,200,000 3.244 Land Cost + 15% (OP4.12)
A-3 Agricultural Crop Produce
a.Wheat / Kanal 40 kg 2,352 550 1,293,600 0.022 Income Restoration Two Crops OP4.12
b.Maiz / Kanal 40 kg 2,520 475 1,197,000 0.020 Income Restoration Two Crops OP4.12
A-4 Trees
a.Firewood Trees No 19,400 5,000 97,000,000 1.629
b.Fruit Trees No 600 20,000 12,000,000 0.202
A-5 Grazing Area Acre 51 800,000 40,800,000 0.685
A-6 Built Up Area
a.Land Acre 10 2,000,000 20,000,000 0.336
b.Catagory A Buildings Sq-Ft 43,920 2,500 109,800,000 1.844 Modern Construction12.2% Table 22
c.Catagory B Buildings Sq-Ft 127,800 1,500 191,700,000 3.219 Semi Pacca 35.5% Table22
d.Catagory C Buildings Sq-Ft 188,280 800 150,624,000 2.529 Kacha 52.3% Table22
A-7 Jeepable Roads Km 5 45,000,000 225,000,000 3.778
A-8 Township Roads Km 1 45,000,000 45,000,000 0.756
A-9 SCO Telephone Cable L.S. 1 14,500,000 14,500,000 0.243 Estimate by SCO
A-10 PTDC Motel L.S. 1 18,000,000 18,000,000 0.302 Estmate by PTDC Motel
A-11 Suspension Bridge No 3 70,000,000 210,000,000 3.526 Rate by Works & Services
A-12 Suspension Bridge No 2 1,219,354,560 2,438,709,120 40.953 Rate by Taisi Corporation
A-13 Doli (Cable Car) No 5 150,000 750,000 0.013 Estimate Self Driven
A-14 Grave Yard Acre 3 200,000 600,000 0.010
A-15 FWO Buildings
a. Camp at Barseen
Land Acre 7 2,000,000 14,140,000 0.237 Land Area @ Rs. 200,000/ Kanal.
Building Sq-Ft 14,000 1,600 22,400,000 0.376 Covered Area @1600/ Sq-Ft
Bitumen Plant L.S. 1 30,000,000 30,000,000 0.504 Estimated
Aceess Road m 600 30,000 18,000,000 0.302 Access Road @ 30000000/ Km
b.Camp at Sazin
Land Kanal 1 300,000 300,000 0.005 Land Area Rounded Off
Building Sq-Ft 2,500 1,600 4,000,000 0.067
Grid Station Costs Acre 10 2,000,000 20,000,000 0.336
A-16 Commercial Area

Road Side Restaurants
i.Land Acre 1.041 6,400,000 6,662,400 0.112 Rs. 800000/ Kanal
ii Covered Area Sq-Ft 37476 1,600 59,961,600 1.007 Builtup Area @ Rs. 1600/ Sq-Ft
TOTAL - A 5,954,917,720 100.00

Sheet 2 of 2
Table 9.2 Environmental & Resettlement Costs

Detailed Estimate
Item Rate Cost % age of

Description Unit Quantity Remarks
No. (Rs) (Rs) Total Cost
B ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES COST
B-1 Tree Plantation No 80,000 300 24,000,000 0.403 Two Years Look After Included
B-2 Grave Yard No 2 200,000 400,000 0.007
B-3 6 Police Check Points Acre 0.216 2,000,000 432,000 0.007 0.216 Acres
B-4 Cost Covered Area Sq-Ft 7,776 1,600 12,441,600 0.209
B-5 3 Schools -Land Acre 0.230 2,000,000 460,000 0.008 0.23 Acres
B-6 School Cost Covered Area Sq-Ft 8,280 1,600 13,248,000 0.223
B-7 KKH Relocation Km 45 - 4,410,000,000 74.141 Refer cost estimate volume - 10
B-8 Suspension Bridges

i) Suspension Bridges at Kandia Sq-m 85,000 3,358 285,430,000 4.799
ii) Suspension Bridges at Shatial Sq-m 85,000 1,314 111,690,000 1.878
B-9 New Roads (Right Bank)
i) New Roads Km 30,000,000 18 540,000,000 9.078
ii) New Tracks Km 15,000,000 31 465,000,000 7.818
iii) Upgradation Km 14,171,290 6 85,027,740 1.429
TOTAL - B 5,948,129,340 100.00
C ENVIRONMENTAL RESETTLEMENT COST
C-1 Land for 10% Resettlement Acre 5 1,840,000 9,200,000 1.799 Land Price + 15% (OP 4.12)
C-2 Land for Services Acre 5 1,840,000 9,200,000 1.799 Land Price + 15% (OP 4.12)
C-3 Community Buildings and Facilities -
a.Roads L.S. 1 6,000,000 6,000,000 1.173 Provision
b.Drainage L.S. 1 6,000,000 6,000,000 1.173 Provision
c.Electricity Provision L.S. 1 6,000,000 6,000,000 1.173 Provision
d.Water supply L.S. 1 6,000,000 6,000,000 1.173 Provision
e.Construction of Houses Sq-Ft 180,000 1,600 288,000,000 56.325
C-4 Shifting Charges L.S. 447 5,000 2,235,000 0.437 100% HH+ Businesses
C-5 Livelihood Charges for 3 Months No 447 15,000 6,705,000 1.311 Requirement Donor,100%HH+Business
C-6 Vulnerable Group Assistance No 100 5,000 500,000 0.098 One Time Payment OP 4.12; 21* %
C-7 Development Project Cost -
a.Nursery Development Acre 2 1,000,000 2,000,000 0.391 Rs1000000 for Setup/ Production Cost
b.Model Horticulture Farm No 20 500,000 10,000,000 1.956
c.Establish of Poultry/ Quail Farm No 1 2,374,000 2,374,000 0.464
d.Fish Seed Production L.S. 1 2,000,000 2,000,000 0.391
e.Wood Works Production L.S. 1 2,000,000 2,000,000 0.391
f.Potato Seed Roduction L.S. 1 1,000,000 1,000,000 0.196
g.(i) Vocational/Technical Training No 100 120,000 12,000,000 2.347
(ii) Women Training No 50 120,000 6,000,000 1.173
h.Micro Credit Scheme No 447 300,000 134,100,000 26.227 100% Affectee Families+ Busnisses
TOTAL - C 511,314,000 100.00
D ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING COST
D-1 Monitoring of Environment L.S. 1 115,615,000 115,615,000 100.00
TOTAL - D 115,615,000
TOTAL ( A+B+C+D) 12,529,976,060
TOTAL ( A+B+C+D) 178,999,658 US $

1 US $ = Rs. 70
10. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT WORK PROGRAM
10.1 Conclusions
10.1.1 Positive Impacts
The environmentally sound implementation of the proposed Dasu project with full
mitigation and recommended enhancement programs, phased following the
implementation of the Diamer Basha project, will have many significant positive impacts.
These main positive impacts will be for the entire country but the targeted mitigation and
enhancement programs will also directly benefit the local population currently residing in
and around the Project Area. Major positive impacts of the proposed project are:
- Electricity generation of 4,320MW from environmentally sound and sustainable

sources reducing the need to burn non-renewable fossil fuels that cause
greenhouse gas emissions. In addition it will save fuel imports, the price of which
will inevitably increase over time as they deplete.
- Provision of job opportunities during and after the construction stage
- Upgrading of the main KKH and the road network on the right bank of the
proposed reservoir
- Local vegetation and livestock improvement, particularly tree planting
- Development of fisheries in the reservoir
- Socio-economic enhancement specifically targeted at local people
- Provision of public amenities
- Tourism development
- Enhancement of commercial activities
10.1.2 Adverse Impacts and Mitigation
The construction and immediate post construction period of the Dasu project will also
generate adverse impacts. Some of these adverse impacts are of a temporary nature
and can be avoided or mitigated by adopting appropriate measures as outlined in this
EIA report. However there are some serious adverse impacts which are permanent and
require specific targeted mitigation measures to ensure that nobody is made worse off as
a result of implementing the project. By moving the location of the dam from Axis 2 to
Axis 5 (about 4.5km upstream measured along the riverbed) it has been possible to
reduce the number of people that would need to be relocated by 52% and avoid the
flooding of an urban settlement and a historically important mosque plus a large old
graveyard. The amount of agricultural land that would be lost was also reduced by 57%
and the number of housing units by 64%. The change in dam location has been
achieved without any significant loss in power generation capacity but has increased the
capital cost of the construction works. Even so the following adverse impacts will need to
be adequately addressed:
(a) Land Acquisition and Resettlement
Due to the construction of the dam and impoundment of the reservoir upstream of it a
maximum area of 6,439 acres (2,606ha) below the 957masl will need to be acquired. A
restriction on the construction of new buildings up to 960masl will need to be enforced
and the people currently residing below 957masl will have to be resettled. This will be a
major adverse impact of the project.
Based upon data from the DCR and socioeconomic surveys in the area it is estimated
that with 8.8 persons per family and 1.5 families per housing unit that about 3,670
10-1
persons resident in the 278 buildings will need to be relocated from the reservoir area.
This requires provision of equivalent replacement housing with services such as water
supply, sanitation and electricity, as well as replacement livelihoods. However the
economic livelihoods of the displaced people are not so seriously impacted as would be
expected due to the fact that the main economic activity of these households is carried
out away from the reservoir flooded area. Construction of equivalent replacement houses
at optimum locations of each household’s choice plus implementation of additional
enhancement programs will need to provide more than adequate replacement
livelihoods. This can be achieved provided that sufficient funding is made available,
along with technical and logistical support, in a timely manner. There is plenty of time to
do this work as construction of the project is not yet confirmed and would have to wait at
least until the dam at Diamer Basha is significantly complete. The absolute earliest
commencement date would be 2011 and it would take six years to complete from the
start of construction.
Apart from the loss of the 278 residential buildings there is also Community and
Government owned infrastructure that will be inundated. Based on analysis of satellite
imagery along with field verification it is estimated that 15 mosques, nine timber stores,
six police posts, three schools, 30 road side hotels and shops, three generator rooms
and a hospital will be submerged. Again equivalent replacement infrastructure will need
to be provided to ensure that no person is worse off as a result of the loss due to the
construction of the project.
The Land Acquisition Act of Pakistan is the core legislation which is used for the
acquiring of land. The current Land Acquisition Act does not actually address the
compensation and assistance required for involuntary resettlement. In the absence of
any national policy and guidelines for the involuntary resettlement the World Bank
Operational Policies for involuntary resettlement have been used as a reference as these
are the current international best practice and are acceptable for most of the international
funding agencies.
These World Bank policies and guidelines require a comprehensive Resettlement Action
Plan (RAP) to be prepared. This RAP should cover all the aspects of resettlement, land
acquisition and financial assistance issues to direct or indirectly impacted people. The
RAP also has to give an estimate of the cost of resettlement, compensation and land
acquisition. The RAP should also cover the requirements for public, community,
archeological and private structures being affected due to the construction of the dam.
This RAP, after approval from the relevant authorities, should be implemented prior to
the start of construction stage of the project. The RAP should only be prepared once a
firm commitment has been given to build the project. The EIA Technical Memo 6 on
Resettlement Aspects gives detailed estimates of items, quantities and current values for
the items that will be inundated by the reservoir and the costs of fully mitigating these,
including some enhancements.
In general terms the approach being proposed is that the people losing immovable
assets will be compensated for their losses (land and land based immovable assets and
improvements) and assisted financially to replace their lost structures, assets and
livelihoods to at least pre-project levels. Households headed by women and other
vulnerable households (if found) will be eligible for further cash assistance for relocation
and house or structure reconstruction. Detailed planning of the resettlement
requirements, down to individual household level, will be based on a full census and
valuation surveys which will provide a complete list of all those affected, together with the
type and size of losses, along with the amount of compensation and/or financial
assistance required for each person affected.
10-2
Apart from privately owned houses, mosques and graveyards will also be submerged.
Mosques should be reconstructed at suitable locations in consultation with local people.
The moving of graveyards is obviously a sensitive issue in any society. The relocation of
graves should be carried out it desired by family members and must be done in close
collaboration with them and in a sensitive manner. Some of the graveyards are very old
and there are unlikely to be surviving family members. This issue will require detailed
investigation during the RAP studies.
(b) Loss of Trees, Vegetation, Agricultural and Grazing Areas
It is estimated that due to the impounding of reservoir approximately 78 acres (31.56ha)

of agriculture land and 51 acres (20.63ha) of grazing area will be inundated, along with
about 20,000 trees. These will need to be compensated for by provision of adequate
replacements, including the planting of four times the number of lost trees at places
around the reservoir area.
(c) Submergence and Disruption of the KKH
Due to the construction of the Dasu Dam and the impounding of the reservoir, some
41km of the KKH which lies between Dasu and the Diamer Basha dam site will be below
the 957m level and be at risk of inundation. Analysis of this impact is not straight forward,
as the KKH has to be realigned in any case for the construction of the Diamer Basha
project, due to flooding by the dam and reservoir but also to ensure adequate clearance
(curves and overhangs) and gradients to carry the materials required for construction of
the Basha project. The realignment of the KKH has been broken off as a separate self
standing project and would be subjected to its own environmental assessment process.
A detaled assessment of the relocation needs of the KKH due to the Dasu project can
not yet be made until the realignment location for Diamer Basha is known. All in all about
46km of the KKH will actually be submerged due to the impounding of reservoir from a
dam located at Axis 5. A dam located at Axis 2 would have required a further 4km to be
relocated and more importantly the existing KKH main bridge across the Indus river at
Dasu town would need to have been replaced.
(d) Access for Existing Residents
Due to the impounding of the reservoir, five major suspension bridges over the river
Indus near Dugah, the Kandia river, Darail and Harban will be submerged. These five
bridges are the current direct communication links for local people in the proposed
reservoir area to the right bank areas from the present KKH. It is proposed to build at
least two replacement motorable bridges (adequate enough to take a light truck) across
the reservoir, in addition to the road crossing that will be provided across the two dams
or immediately downstream of them. In addition a new link road along the right bank of
the reservoir would be constructed to ensure that connectivity of the existing road
network is maintained for local people in the future.
The alternative of providing a ferry service for local people at various locations across
the reservoir has also been considered. However this will be unfeasible due to need to
cope with the wide range of water levels that the reservoir is likely to experience under
operational conditions. The feasible option is to construct two main bridges across the
reservoir and rebuild the right bank road network.
(e) Site for Construction Camps
A large number of workers, both skilled and unskilled will be required for the construction
of the dam at Dasu and its associated infrastructure. Suitable sites will need to be
10-3
identified for accommodation of these people along with provision of appropriate

infrastructure, such as water supply, waste water treatment and electricity. Great care
will be needed with site selection to minimize any impacts on the local population. The
land acquisition requirements for such sites will need to be carefully considered, be they
temporary or perhaps permanent with reuse of some of the housing, perhaps for
recreational and tourist use.
(f) Storage of Construction and Excavated Material
During the construction stage of the project a large quantity of material will be produced
during the excavation of tunnels and from the dam foundation area. It is currently
estimated that 4.4 million cubic meters of solid rock will be excavated although this is
dependent upon the final design and construction methodology. At the detail design
stage it should be possible to calculate the peak storage and handling requirement for
such material (bearing in mind that it is normal to reuse as much of the excavated
material as possible in the works) and the land area required for storage. The land
acquisition requirements for such areas will need to be considered, be they permanent or
temporary.
(g) Material Quarries and Borrow Pits
In addition to the large amount of material to be excavated for the tunnels and
underground powerhouse, it may also be necessary to open quarries for specific
materials, the locations of which will be determined by a range of technical criteria. Such
materials could include natural coarse and fine aggregates which are not available using
the excavated material. Due to the cost of haulage these sources will be located as close
to the works as practically possible but will require suitable access roads to be
constructed. Care is needed in the selection of such sites and also with the operation of
all quarries and borrow areas to minimize their impact. There are environmental
considerations that will need to be borne in mind, including the need for reinstatement
and landscaping of land if they are not within the reservoir area. Prime agriculture or
forest land outside the reservoir area should not be allowed to be used for this purpose.
The excavation and operation of quarries and borrow pits will create impacts on the
environment, particularly noise, dust and also a risk of pollution of watercourses with
sediment. All of these need to be minimized and during the detailed design phase, when
more information is available, then a set of environmental management guidelines can
be drawn up for such operations.
10.1.3 Overall Conclusions
The EIA work for the proposed Dasu Hydropower Project has followed the requirements
for the Pakistan EPA that classify it as a Schedule A Project, being a large dam that
causes involuntary resettlement. The proposed project would also be both a World Bank
and ADB Category A project requiring a full EIA. The Dasu project is not a consumptive
user of water, being designed for run of river operation with no abstraction. However the
operation would be influenced by the needs for hydropower generation and downstream
water requirements at Tarbela dam and also the operation of the proposed Diamer
Basha dam upstream. The Indus is a trans-boundary river and the legal arrangements
for management and development of its resources are covered by the Indus Water
Treaty of 1960 with India and within Pakistan by the Water Accord of 1991. The
procedures for cross border agreement are already in place and would be followed for
construction of the proposed dam at Diamer Basha before the Dasu project was started.
There are no environmentally sensitive or protected areas impacted by the Dasu project
and there are also no threatened species in the area. There are 46 petroglyphs
10-4
(Buddhist rock carvings) of international importance in the extreme upstream part of the
Dasu reservoir area. These have been studied and a report has been produced (EIA
Technical Memo 1on Petroglyphs in the Project Area) and forwarded to WAPDA with a
recommendation that they inform the relevant government department about this matter
as required by law. The people living in the impacted area are tribal, like most of those in
the wider area. By following the legally required procedures for land acquisition,
compensation and resettlement along with enhancement measures, they should not be
unfairly discriminated against.
The main overall conclusion of the environmental assessment of the proposed Dasu
Hydropower Project is that, for a dam located at Axis 5 with a crest level of 957masl,
there are no significant adverse environmental impacts that can not be adequately
managed by implementing the appropriate mitigation measures that have been identified
and incorporated into the environmental management plan for the project. The predicted
adverse impacts of construction of the project, whilst not insignificant, can be adequately
addressed to ensure that no one is worse off as a result of the project, provided that the
project is well managed and adequately resourced in a timely manner. With a well
managed project there should be no residual adverse impacts and with care it should be
possible to achieve significant enhancements for the impacted communities. The Dasu
hydropower project is a non consumptive user of water as there is no abstraction. The
project will produce 4,320MW of electricity in an environmentally sound and sustainable
manner reducing the need to burn non renewable fossil fuels that cause greenhouse
emissions. This will also reduce the need to import fuels the price of which can only
increase as they become depleted.
The main environmental risks to the proposed project are the consequences of seismic
activity, both on the integrity of the dam and also landslides that could be triggered into
the reservoir or the catchment area downstream of the proposed Diamer Basha dam.
The Dasu dam has been designed to the appropriate international standards to cope
with such events. The consequences of a serious seismic have been considered in the
design, including the capability to quickly but safely draw down the water level in the
reservoir and also set up a procedure for evacuation of people who would be at risk
downstream. The consequences of the occurrence of glacial outflows and landslides
upstream of the Diamer Basha dam site has been studied in detail and taken into
consideration in the design of the Diamer Basha dam. The initial increase in total river
flows as ice stored in the upper catchment melts at a faster rate due to climate change
will be a benefit to hydropower generation on the Indus river. However these initial
increased flows are likely to fall once the amount of ice and snow storage volume in the
upper catchment decreases, again due to climate change. There is little firm data on
these trends at the moment and there is a need to monitor the situation closely. The
sedimentation rate into Diamer Basha reservoir is predicted to start causing significant
loss of live storage some 40 years after first filling.
If well managed, then the Dasu dam hydropower project is environmentally beneficial,
especially when compared to the possible alternatives for power generation and the do
nothing situation. Well planned and implemented hydropower is a renewable energy
source and has no adverse environmental emissions. The proposed Dasu Hydropower
Project has highly significant environmental advantages over fossil fuel burning power
stations and nuclear power generation. The delay in implementing hydropower projects
in Pakistan has already led to severe power shortages and the need to resort to a fast
track program of fossil fuel powered generation facilities that rely on expensive imported
fuels or coal. Such facilities use non renewable energy sources that emit greenhouse
gases. Nuclear power generation is environmentally highly problematic due to risk levels
and the current inability to solve the waste management problem in an environmentally
10-5
sustainable manner. The real costs of nuclear power generation, when all the costs are
included, are very high.
The proposed configuration and design of the Dasu Hydropower Project relies upon the
construction of the dam at Diamer Basha being carried out first in order to provide the
managed flows for run of river hydropower generation. The precondition of the
construction of Diamer Basha in order to gain the environmental advantages of Dasu
complicates the overall environmental analysis. The Diamer Basha project needs to be
implemented as quickly as possible, in an environmentally sound manner and closely
monitored so that lessons can be learnt from it and incorporated into the design and
implementation program for Dasu. This includes all environmental aspects in the widest
possible sense.
10.2 Recommendations
As there are no significant predicted adverse environmental impacts that can not be
adequately mitigated and the alternative possibilities for major power generation are
more environmentally problematic, the Dasu Hydropower project should be implemented
as planned with a dam located at Axis 5 and a crest level of 957masl with full supply
level of 950masl. However as the implementation of the Dasu project is dependent upon
first constructing the dam at Diamer Basha, it is important that environmental
management requirements of Basha are well handled. It is strongly recommended that
the Basha project be closely monitored so that any issues that may arise can be
identified and the implications, if any, for the Dasu project can be considered.
Once the final design of the Dasu hydropower project has been completed then it would
be wise to consider carrying out an independent strategic environmental assessment of
all of the proposed water related developments within the main Indus river system to
ensure that the cumulative impacts of all the proposed interventions are considered in an
integrated manner. Such a strategic environmental assessment would need to be carried
out within the framework of a wider integrated catchment management planning process
and also consider cross sector resource use, particularly power generation and irrigated
agriculture.
The recommended steps that are required to plan and implement the Dasu project in an
environmentally sound and sustainable manner are indicated below and are the basis of
the proposed environmental management plan for the project.
10.3 Future Environmental Management Program
An outline Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan has been developed that will
provide an action plan, along with the roles and responsibilities for all the players in the
implementation process. This includes budget allocations and the resources required to
mitigate adverse environmental impacts, to provide targeted environmental
enhancements for impacted communities and also to establish and manage an
appropriate environmental monitoring plan to ensure compliance with the current
regulatory framework. The plan identifies which actions need to be carried out in what
sequence based upon the proposed construction program and the relevant legal
requirements, particularly for land acquisition.
The key steps are:
- Further develop and continue the public information and consultation program for
the project, including that with other government departments, particularly the
EPA.
10-6
- Continue the regular baseline monitoring at Dasu and the immediate upstream
area for water flow, water quality and noise.
- Ensure that the responsible institution within WARPO regularly monitors the
extent and depth of snow and ice in the upper catchment so that seasonal
patterns can be identified and also trends over the long term period can be seen.
This information is required for all major water resources management and
development work in the Indus basin, not just for Dasu.
- Monitor the progress of the Diamer Basha project, including the rebuilding of the
KKH and the power transmission arrangements.
- Once a decision is taken that the government wishes to go ahead with the Dasu
project then an updated environmental assessment should produced and
submitted to the EPA for review with a request for the granting of a no objection
certificate.
- Once a firm decision is taken to go ahead with the Dasu project then the 957m
contour should be physically demarcated in the field and a cut off date should be
agreed after which no new immovable assets should be constructed in the area.
- A detailed enumeration of lost assets should be carried out and a Resettlement
Action Plan (RAP) prepared.
- Individual new house locations should be identified in a collaborative process with
the households who will lose their homes.
- Compensate and ensure that equivalent and adequate replacement housing is in
place before the land is required for construction. This may be in a phased
program depending upon the construction program.
- Monitor the livelihoods of the people in the area and take any corrective action
that may be required to ensure that they will not be worse off as a result of the
project.
More details have been given in Section 9 of the EIA report.
The key studies which need to be carried out at later stages are:
- Updating of the EIA at the Detail Design Stage

- Preparation of the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Action Plan (LARAP)
- EIA of the proposed Transmission Line
- EIA of the proposed Grid Station
- EIA of the rebuilt KKH, including land acquisition, relocation and rehabilitation
- Full Feasibility Study of Reconstruction of Communication Bridges across Indus
river. An initial study has been carried out as Technical Memo 5.
10-7

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PAKISTAN WATER AND POWER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

DASU HYDROPOWER PROJECT

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND

National Engineering Services Pakistan(Pvt) Limited (NESPAK)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND

S.1 Introduction S-1

1.1 Introduction 1-1

2. REGULATORY LAWS AND THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Introduction 2-1

2.2.1 Policy Framework 2-1

2.3 Institutional Framework Relevant for EIA in Pakistan 2-7

2.3.1 Federal Government Institutions 2-7

2.4 Specific EIA Requirements for Dasu Project 2-12

2.4.1 Basis for the Environmental Study 2-12

2.5 International Agreements and Provincial Water Accord Signed

2.5.1 Indus Waters Treaty 1960 2-14

2.6 EIA Requirements of Potential Financing Institutions 2-15

2.6.1 The World Bank 2-15

2.7 Implications for the Proposed Project 2-17

3.1 Project Context 3-1

3.1.1 Electric Power Generation Capacity and Demand in Pakistan 3-1

3.2 The Need for the Dasu Project 3-3

4.1 No Project Option 4-1

4.2.1 Thermal Power 4-2

4.3 Alternative Hydro Power Development Projects 4-4

4.4.1 Hydrological Considerations 4-5

4.5 Types of Dams 4-8

4.5.1 Comparison of Alternatives 4-8

4.6 Conclusions and Recommendations of the Comparative Dam

5. PROJECT SCOPING AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION

5.1 Project Scoping 5-1

5.3.1 Selection of Dam Axis Location 5-1

5.4 Future Public Consultation Requirements 5-4

6. EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SITUATION,

6.1 General 6-1

6.1.1 Purpose of Baseline Study 6-1

6.2 Natural Physical Environment 6-2

6.2.1 Climatological Parameters 6-2

6.3 Land Use 6-4

6.4.1 Terrestrial Ecology 6-4

6.5.1 Upper Reach Geology 6-5

6.6 Hydrology 6-5

6.7.1 Seismic Activity 6-6

6.7.2 Kara Kurram Highway (KKH) 6-7

6.8 Socio-economic Environment 6-8

6.10.1 Infrastructure Submergence 6-9

6.11 Compensation and Resettlement 6-9

6.12.1 Indus River Flows 6-10

6.13 Existing Human Needs in the Project Area 6-12

6.13.1 Provision of Safe Domestic Water Supply, Sanitation

7. IMPACT IDENTIFICATION, QUANTIFICATION AND

7.1 Environmental Scoping Methodology 7-1

7.3.1 Electricity Generation 7-1

7.4 Adverse Impacts during the Pre-Construction Phase 7-4

7.4.1 Land Acquisition and Resettlement 7-4

7.4.4 Submergence of KKH 7-5

7.5 Adverse Impacts during the Construction Phase 7-6

7.5.1 Physical Environment 7-6

7.6 Adverse Impacts during the Operational Phase 7-12

7.6.1 Physical Environment 7-12

7.7 Quantification of Significant Impacts 7-16

8. IMPACT MITIGATION AND REMEDIAL MEASURES

8.1 Pre-Construction Stage 8-1