1. GENERAL TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE RAPID EIA STUDY FOR SHIVKAR LIGNITE BLOCK, DIST. BARMER, RAJASTHAN The main objective of the EIA study is to assess the positive and negative impacts likely to accrue as a result of the proposed Lignite mining. A suitable Environmental Management Plan (EMP) will then be suggested to ameliorate the adverse impacts to the extent and enhance the positive impacts. A well-designed environmental monitoring programme covering various critical parameters to be covered during the operation stage shall also be suggested. The mine lease area will be considered as Core Zone for the EIA study. Likewise, area within 10 km radius of the mine lease area shall be considered as the Buffer Zone. Location of the project is shown in Figure-1,The core and buffer zones are shown in Figure-II and the study area is shown in Figure-3. The Scope of Work for the proposed EIA study is briefly described in the following paragraphs. ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE STATUS The data is proposed to be collected through field studies, literature review, and interaction with concerned departments. The details are given in the following paragraphs; Land Use The present land use pattern will be established through literature review, satellite imageries and field studies with respect to agricultural land, barren stretches, pasture land, mines, forest and human settlements etc. The following land use/land cover categories for the Buffer Zone are to be classified: Agricultural land Built-up land Forest land Grass/Bush/Scrub land Water bodies Others. Land use of the study area delineating forest area, agricultural land, grazing land, wildlife sanctuary, national park, migratory routes of fauna, water bodies, human settlements and other ecological features shall be covered. Demography and Socio-economics The socio-economic characteristics of the Buffer Zone will be studied through the available data. The information on population, caste profile, literacy rate, occupational profile, etc. shall be collected. The study will also include availability of infrastructure facilities like health services, status of health and disease pattern in the study area, water supply, road and transport system, communication, sanitary facilities, schools, etc. An inventory of major industrial and commercial 1
activities, archaeological monuments, places of scenic beauty within the core area needs to be prepared. Soils Significant physico-chemical parameters of soil shall be determined at ten locations in the buffer Zone through sampling for one season for Rapid EIA study. The parameters to be monitored include: Soil nutrients (N,P,K) Soil texture ph Organic matter Water Resources The water requirement for the project, its availability and source shall be furnished. A detailed water balance shall also be provided. Fresh water requirement for the Project should be indicated. Based on actual monitored data, it shall be shown whether working will intersect groundwater. Water Quality (Surface and Ground) The surface and ground water is to be monitored once at six locations as a part of the field studies to assess the water quality in the area. The various parameters to be monitored are given in Table-1. TABLE-1: List of water quality parameters analysed as a part of the field studies Alkalinity BOD Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) COD Chlorides ph Hardness Sulphates Nitrates Fluorides Magnesium Calcium Copper Hardness Manganese Cadmium Phosphates Chromium Mineral Oil Lead Oil & Grease Iron Turbidity Zinc Residual Free Chlorine Cyanides Selenium Copper Lead Phenolic compounds Pesticides Mercury Total Suspended soils Anionic detergents Arsenic Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon 2
Meteorology As a part of Rapid EIA study, a micro-meteorological station shall be set up at one of the stations covered as a part of ambient air quality monitoring. The parameters to be monitored are as follows: Wind speed & direction Continuous autonomic average Temperature - Continuous Max & Minimum Temperature - Daily (at 8.30 & 17.30 IST) (dry bulb and wet bulb temperature ) Humidity - Daily (at 8.30 & 17.30 IST) Rainfall - Daily The wind roses showing pre-dominant wind direction shall be indicated on the map. The collected data shall be used for preparation of wind rose diagrams and air quality modelling. Ambient Air Quality A monitoring network for ambient air quality has to be designed to characterize ambient air quality with respect to Sulphur dioxide ( SO 2 ), Nitrogen dioxide ( NO 2 ), Particulate Matter (Size less than 10 microns), and Particulate Matter (Size less than 2.5 microns). Monitoring is to be conducted at five to six appropriate locations. At each location, 24 hour sampling is to be undertaken twice a week for twelve consecutive weeks. Sampling shall be conducted for one season. The location of the monitoring stations shall be such as to represent whole of the study area and justified keeping in view the pre-dominant downwind direction and location of sensitive receptors. There shall be at least one monitoring station within 500 m of the mine lease in the pre-dominant downwind direction. The mineralogical composition of PM 10, particularly for free silica, shall be given Noise A noise monitoring survey which will produce sufficient baseline data to characterize the noise environment in the various zones of core and buffer zones like Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Sensitive locations needs to be undertaken. The survey is to be conducted at various locations, once during the study period for 24 hours at each location. The equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) have to be determined. Sampling for one season shall be conducted for Rapid EIA study. Terrestrial Ecology As a part of the study, data on the following for the core and buffer zones is to be collected through Forest Department and Revenue offices: Inventory of major species of trees, herbs, shrubs, etc. in the core area. List of important medicinal plants, if any. Presence of rare and endangered species, if any. 3
Preparation of an inventory of major wildlife species including mammal, reptiles, birds, etc. 2. IMPACT ASSESSMENT With knowledge of the baseline conditions, project characteristics, the intensity of various project activities and current critical conditions, detailed projections will have to be carried out. The major issues to be covered under impact assessment are as under: Impacts due to disposal of overburden Impacts on ambient air quality due to entrainment of fugitive emissions on account of loading and unloading of lignite and overburden. Air quality modelling shall be carried out for prediction of impact of the project on the air quality of the area. Modelling shall also take into account the impact of movement of vehicles for transportation of mineral. The details of the model used and input parameters used for modelling shall be provided. The air quality contours may be shown on a location map clearly indicating the location of the site, location of sensitive receptors, if any, and the habitation. Impacts on ambient noise level due to increased vehicular movement. Increase in ambient noise levels due to operation of mining equipment Impacts on groundwater due to mining Impact of the project on the water quality, both surface and groundwater Degradation of surface waters by soil erosion from disturbed areas, waste piles and stockpiles Impacts due to disposal of overburden. Impacts on drainage pattern. Impacts on ecology of the area. Impacts due to acquisition of private land and homestead Changes in the socio-economic environment. Impacts on job opportunities in the area due to operation of the mine Land use plan of the mine lease to encompass pre-operational, operational and postoperational phases including impacts, if any, related change of land use Issues relating to Mine Safety, including slope study in case of open cast mining Impact on local transport infrastructure due to the Project shall be indicated. Projected increase in truck traffic as a result of the Project in the present road network (including those outside the Project area) shall be worked out, indicating whether it is capable of handling the incremental load. Occupational Health impacts of the Project on the workers and population in the Buffer Zone 3. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is to be developed to selectively mitigate the adverse impacts due to the proposed Shivkar lignite mine. The various issues to be addressed are: Mine reclamation plans Reclamation plan for overburden disposal sites Scheme for top soil management Control of surface water pollution through drains and mine water drainage Plan for disposal of runoff 4
A time bound Progressive Greenbelt Development Plan shall be prepared indicating the linear and quantitative coverage, plant species and time frame. Measures to control impact of the project on the water quality, both surface and groundwater Control of air pollution due to vehicular movement and fugitive emissions Abatement of dust and noise control due to mining operations including handling and transport of mined material Preparation of progressive mine closure plan Preparation of Disaster Management Plan including safety measures for slope stability Description of water conservation measures proposed to be adopted in the Project. Arrangement for improving the infrastructure, if contemplated (including action to be taken by other agencies such as State Government) shall be covered Details of the onsite shelter and facilities to be provided to the mine workers Conceptual post-mining land use and Reclamation and Restoration of mined out areas (with plans and with adequate number of sections) Measures to minimize health impacts including details of pre-placement medical examination and periodical medical examination Measures of socio economic significance and influence to the local community proposed to be provided by the project proponent including quantitative dimensions with time frame for implementation Cost of the project (capital cost and recurring cost) as well as the cost towards implementation of EMP should clearly be spelt out Organization and methods for environmental management. 4. OTHER ASPECTS Based on the findings of the mining scheme, separate chapters on Risk Assessment & Disaster Management Plan, and Mine Closure Plan shall also be included in the EIA report. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMME An Environmental Monitoring Programme to monitor critical parameters shall be suggested. The consultant will identify the equipment and manpower requirements for implementation of this Programme and the costs involved. The cost required for the implementation of this programme shall also be estimated. 5
Figure-I: Location map of Shivkar Lignite Block 6
Figure-II: Key Plan of Shivkar Lignite Block 7
Figure-III: Study Area map for EIA study for Shivkar Lignite Block 8