Corrected Environmental Impact and Mitigation Measures(Final)

8/11/2019 Corrected Environmental Impact and Mitigation Measures(Final)

1/8

CHAPTER 6

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES

6.1. Preamble

The proposed Thevara-Perandoor canal project envisages the rejuvenation of the existing canals

equipping them for safe navigation and for promoting recreation facilities along the bank for

tourism promotion.The impact identification process covers two phases of the project,

1. The construction phase

2. The operational phase

An Environmental Impact can be defined as an alteration of the existing environmentalconditions or the creation of new set of beneficial or adverse environmental consequences caused

by the proposed activity

6.1.1. IMPACT ON THE EXISTING WATER RESOURCES

The Water requirement for this project is expected to emerge from two areas listed below:

1. The water required for construction of embankements and reconstruction of bridges

across the canals and the connecting roads.2. The irrigation requirements to sustain the greenery along the canal banks during the

operational phase.

This is expected to be catered from the existing water resources of KWA and bore wells.

6.1.2. WATER QUALITY IMPACTS & THE PROTECTION OF

AQUATIC ECOLOGY

The primary concern with regard to water quality would be earthworks, demolition works and the

control of construction site runoff and drainage. The water quality assessment concluded

that the identified water quality impacts could be controlled by implementing there

commended mitigation measures. Any effluent discharges from the site would

be required to comply with the terms and conditions of a discharge licence. It was


2/8

recommended that regular site inspections be undertaken toinspect the construction

activities and works areas in order to ensure the recommended mitigation measures

are properly implemented.The entire area forms a part of the wet lands that fall adjacent

to the Vembanad Backwater system.These wet lands plays the role of Natures

Kidneys.During the proceeding phases,due care is to be taken to protect the wet lands

from damage .No discharge of pollutants is to be allowed into these areas. The natural

rain water run off paths are not to be choked with waste materials.

6.1.3. ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS

There will be a minimal ecological impacts from proposed works and no long-term

residual impact on ecology would be expected with implementation of proper mitigation

measures recommended in the EIA Report for the Project.

6.1.4. LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACTS

It has recommended that the implementation and maintenance of landscape andvisual

measures within the construction site including protection of existing resources,mitigation planting and surface treatment of structures be included.

6.1.5. IMPACT ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

The assessment of potential impact on cultural heritage concluded that no areas of

archaeological interest were identified. As such, mitigation measures would notbe required .As the maj or it y of her it age resources are loca ted qu it e far from the

proposed works, no adverse impacts associa ted wi th the cons truct ion works

would be expected.

6.1.6. WASTE MANAGEMENT IMPACT

Waste management would be the contractors responsibility to ensure that all wastesproduced duringthe const ruction of the Project are handled, stored and di spo sed

of in accordance with good waste management

p r a c t i c e s , a n d G o v e r n m e n t r e g u l a t i o n s a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s .Waste generated during the construction activities should be audited periodically todetermine if wastes are being managed in accordance with approved procedures and the

site Waste Management Plan. The audits should look at all aspects of waste management

including waste generation, storage, transport and disposal. An appropriate audit programwould be to undertake a first audit near the commencement of the construction works,

and then to audit on a quarterly basis thereafter. In addition, the routine site inspections


3/8

should check the implementation of the recommended good site practices and other waste

management mitigation measures.

6.2.MITIGATION MEASURES

The dredged material should not be allowed to accumulate along the canal banks.Arrangement

are to be made for shifiting the dreged material immediately to an isolated location,where it will

be disinfected and used as land fill. The dredged material has to be properly covered before

being transported.

During the construction phase, the dust generation from the earthwork, vehicular emissions and

the occasional use of DG sets, in the event of power failure, are the sources of air pollution

anticipated from the Project site. These are expected to be transient in nature and also localized

to a limited area. Hence no impact on the air quality is anticipated during the construction phase

and the Operational phase .Presently the putrification taking place in the water bodies is

generating methane gas,which is polluting the air in the vicinity of the canals. the overall

improvement to the environment around the canals,after rejuvenation, is expected to improve the

air quality during the operational phase.

6.2.1

SEWAGE GENERATION,TREATMENT AND REUSE

The project will become sustainable only if the flow of sewage into the canal network is

stopped permanently. Discharge of the untreated sewage into the canal will cause

environmental damage of the highest order and will continue to keep the canals in thepresent state of disrepair.

6.2.1.1.Mitigation measure:

The success of the proposed Thevara-perandoor waterway project hinges on the implementationof sewage network and creation of STPs for the population living in Ernakulam area of Kochi

city.The flow of raw sewage into the canal network is to be prevented completely. The

provisions of septic tank, proper sewerage connections etc should be linked to each and every

houses and buildings. Installation of a small waste water treatment system to the community

helps decrease the pollution and make use of water effectively. Its recommended that the

authorities in charge should go on with proper checkings in a regular interval of time andimplementation of fines, taking immediate actions etc in case of any violation will help.

6.2.2

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid waste is the unwanted or useless solid materials generated from combined residential,

industrial and commercial activities in a given area. It may be categorised according to its origin


4/8

,according to its contents or according to its hazard potential. It is estimated that a fairly large

quantity of bio-degradable and plastic wastes gets dumped into the canal, chocking it. The solid

wastes accumulated in the canal resist the flow of the canal and hence the water in it is observed

to have changed its natural colour to blackish brown and also produces disgusting smell. The

cleaning of canals cannot be done due to the possibility of epidemics, presence of poisonous

gases etc.

Waste that is not properly managed, especially excreta and other liquid and solid waste

from households and the community, are a serious health hazard and lead to the spread of

infectious diseases.Unattended waste lying around attracts flies, rats, and other creatures that in

turn spread disease. Normally it is the wet waste that decomposes and releases a bad odour. This

leads to unhygienic conditions and thereby to a rise in the health problems.organic domestic

wasteposes a serious threat, since they ferment, creating conditions favourable to the survival

and growth of microbial pathogens. Direct handling of solid waste can result in various types of

infectious and chronic diseases with the waste workers and the rag pickers being the most

vulnerable.

6.2.2.1 Mitigation measure:

Management of solid waste reduces or eliminates adverse impacts on the environment and

human health and supports economic development and improved quality of life. The studiesmust include protection of the natural environment and occupational health and safety aspects,

taking the possibilities of sustainable development into consideration. As it seldom is possible to

solve all problems at one time, it is important at the planning stage to note that it is helpful to set

up a list of priorities. The first step in solving environmental and occupational hazards is torecognize the existence of the hazards. A number of processes are involved in effectively

managing waste for a municipality. These include monitoring, collection, transport, processing,

recycling and disposal.All of the methods of waste prevention mentioned require public participation. In order to get the

public onboard, training and educational programmes need to be undertaken to educate the

public about their role in the process. Also the government may need to regulate the types andamount of packaging used by manufacturers and make the reuse of shopping bags mandatory.

Proper arrangements are to be made to collect and process the solid waste generated in the

project region so as to prevent the dumping of solid waste into the canal. Providing proper

boundaries along the side of the canal decreases the rate of encrochements and throwing of wasteto the canal. Proper inspection by the ruling authority is recommended. In case of any violation

of rules meant for protecting the canal implementation of fines and moving with legal orders will

be effective. Systems such as Dumping at designated location, Shared container , Block

collection,

Curbside collection,

Door to door collection etc will help.

6.2.3 NOISE POLLUTION DURING CONSTRUCTION AND

OPERATIONAL PHASES
http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/solwaste/health.htm#disehttp://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/solwaste/health.htm#dise


5/8

Prolonged exposure to noise pollution is known to cause impairment of the hearing system in all

living beings, leading to permanent deafness. Noise pollution could occur during the

constructional phase due to the continuous operation of noisy construction equipments. Thoughthis is a transient activity , the construction workers could be continuously exposed to the high

level noise.

6.2.3.1

Mitigation measure:

It is recommended that construction machinery maybe provided with noise dampening devices,sound proofing enclosures, etc. Construction workers exposed to noisy environment should use

Ear muffs and provided with remote operating devices. Silencers can be provided wherever

necessary. Acoustic standard are to be prescribed for all possible equipments.

6.2.4

TERRESTIAL ECOLOGY

Construction activity are proposed to be carried out for rejuvenating the canal network, widening

the canals to navigable width and deepening the canals. This could bring various significantchanges to the components of terrestrial ecosystem. To compensate it, adequate protective

mechanisms are to be put in place.

6.2.4.1

Mitigation measures

Precautionary measures are to be planned to avoid damages due to large scale construction

activities. The cost benefit analysis of undertaking the Thevara-Perandoor Canal project, vis-a-

vis the negative impacts is to be carried out before embarking on the project.

6.2.5. FORESTS, NATIONAL PARKS,SANCTUARIES

The project location is the midst of the urban agglomeration of Kerala. Hence there are noForests or National Parks or Sanctuaries within a radius of 25 kilometers from the Project site.

No land is proposed to be acquired within a forest zone or a National park. Any major

deforestation is considered as a permanent impact. Since there is no proposal for the utilizationof forest land, there is no deforestation. Hence, there would be no impact by the project on this

ground.

6.2.6

IMPACT ON THE LAND USE IN THE AREA

Heavy construction activity is slated to take place in the vicinity of the canals. Large parcels of

land are required to be acquired for the widening the canals to the minimum navigable

width.Presently the land is densely populated with large scale residential and commercialprojects located along most stretches of the canal banks. The land parcels are situated in the most

expensive regions of the state and would require large sum of money for land acquisition,

resettlement and rehabilitation of the displaced project affected people


6/8

6.2.6.1 Mitigation measures:

Suitable R&R schemes are to be made to accommodate the population that will get

displaced. A thorough social cost-benefit analysis is to be carried out before commencingthe project to evaluate the relative benefits of the project and costs.

6.2.7

DEMOGRAPHIC,ECONOMIC&SOCIOLOGICAL IMPACT

Large scale construction is expected to take place in the vicinity of the canals. These

activities are expected to have both favourable and adverse demographic, economic and

sociological impacts on the entire region.

The land acquisition could cause adverse impact due to the related R&R issues. The

demographic profile of the region will undergo change with the influx of the more peopleto the banks of the canal,in view of the improved physical connectivity, if the

transportation goal could be achieved. This will contribute to the growth of the economy

of the region.Increased population and commercial activity could contribute to thebetterment of the demographic, economic and sociological aspects of the region.

6.2.8

IMPACTS ON HUMAN SAFETY & HEALTH

Impact:The general Water environment is poor due to a high level of faecalcoli. The

construction and operation of the pilot project will not result in any significant changeother than a small increase in the throwing of the human defecation directly into the

water body.Clearing of water hyacinth for an effective navigation will reduce themosquito breeding and will impact positively to the general environment.

Noise levelAssessments also suggest that the noise levels with the proposed project

will be slightly higher as the number of new boats would increase more noise levels.

Contamination of local water supplies:Due consideration has been given to the

possibility of temporary labour camps and the water supply and disposal associated

with them during the construction period to ensure that the potential for adverseimpacts are avoided.

Pollution during Transportation of Building Materials:All building material should be

covered while transportation to avoid spillage of the material,leading to dust pollutiondue to exposure to wind.

Concrete mixing plants: should be carefully located to avoid any disturbance to the

locals.All materials should be collected,transported and used in an environmental

healthy manner.

Sanitation and solid waste generation and disposal in theworkers camp:The campsshould be properly located to avoid social nuisance to the local community.


7/8

6.2.8.1 Mitigation measures:

There will be provisions for clearing the water hyacinth for effective navigation.This willbe included in the engineering cost.The human waste from vessels operating in the area

will be suitably disposed off in a separate sewerage system.the cost of septic tank have

been incorporated in the social impact mitigation cost.With the strengthening of the basicinfrastructure and a better sewerage system the overall quality of life of all the peopleliving in the region will be improved.

6.2.9

WATER HYACINTH ALONG THE CANALS

One of the most important step in the project is the removal of water hyacinth and its

control.There is no observed definite pattern for its occurrence along the canals.Any mapping of

the weed is thus a futile exercise.the nature of its appearance and disappearance isspontaneous.In monsoon due to heavy currents the hyacinths are not seen.Presence of the

hyacinth presents a poor aesthetic sight for the tourists.Water hyacinth is a threat to the

following;

1. Serious threat to local communities:The flow of water decreases.Water become stagnant as aresult mosquito breeding increases.Dirty smell etc.

2. Nuisance to Navigation and Fishing operation:Causes serious hindrance to Navigation.The

propeller of the motorized vessels often became fouled with these,causing damages.3. Threat to Agricultural operations:They are constraints to aquatic productivity and disrupt

agricultural operations when they invade the paddy fields.

6.2.9.1

Mitigation measures:

o Water hyacinth can be used as a fodder to cattle.o

Its dried form can be used as Biogas.o

It was used as a packing material in the glass factory,since the spreading of hyacinth was

uncontrollable such a plan is dropped.o

Since it is an ornamental plant,it can be used for floral arrangements.o

Experimental results shows that Water Hyacinth is a promising material for the

production of fibre and insulation boardso

Water Hyacinth is a good fertilizer for the growth of coconut palms.It s used as a

compost in the coconut gardens.

References


8/8

1. Source: Development of water networks in Cochin Feasibility report : NATPAC,

February 2010

2. Sewerage and Solid Waste Project Unit. 2000. The solid waste management

programme. Sewerage and Solid Waste Project Unit, Barbados.

3. United Nations Environment Programme International Source Book on

Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs)for Municipal Solid Waste Management

4. American Public Health Association (APHA). 1995. Standard Methods for the

Examination of Water and Wastewater. Alexandria, Va: Water Environment

Federation.

5. ARET Secretariat. 1995. Environmental Leaders 1, Voluntary Commitments to Action

On Toxics Through ARET. Hull, Quebec: Environment Canadas Public Enquiry

Office.

6. Bishop, PL. 1983. Marine Pollution and Its Control. New York: McGraw-Hill.

7. Brown, LC and TO Barnwell. 1987. Enhanced Stream Water Quality Models QUAL2E

and QUAL2E-UNCAS: Documentation and User Manual. Athens, Ga: US EPA,

Environmental Research Lab.

8. Brown, RH. 1993. Pure Appl Chem 65(8):1859-1874.

9. Calabrese, EJ and EM Kenyon. 1991. Air Toxics and Risk Assessment. Chelsea,

Mich:Lewis.

Corrected Environmental Impact and Mitigation Measures(Final)

Documents

Transcript of Corrected Environmental Impact and Mitigation Measures(Final)