Environmental Safeguard documents for AACP

Objective:The interventions proposed in the AACP are expected to have “low environmental impacts” and no interventions are being suggested in protected areas such as National parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, Reserved Forests, Proposed Reserved Forests etc. However, there is likelihood of the considerable cumulative impact of the individual sub-projects. In the absence of any guidance on management of environmental impacts due to these interventions, the ARIAS Society has initiated the preparation of the Environmental Management Framework to streamline the various environmental considerations in project planning, design and implementation. The framework shall help the implementing agencies to enhance the assessment and management of environmental issues during the course of implementation of AACP. The specific objectives of the study are to: To assess the positive and negative environmental impacts (direct, indirect, induced and cumulative) of each of the proposed project interventions. To recommend how the preparation (planning and design), implementation and supervision arrangement might be enhanced and how an identified environmental risk might be mitigated including recommending capacity augmentation within the PCU and the implementing department to manage the environmental issues adequately. The Environmental Management Framework (EMF): The environment management measures have been integrated into an Environmental Management Framework. The EMF addresses all the environmental issues taking into consideration the World Bank Operational Policies and Safeguard requirements, apart from the legal requirements of the State Government and the Government of India. All necessary information for compliance to the WB and GoI requirements to address the various issues such as clearance requirements, procedures, survey formats etc. have been worked out in this framework. The EMF will facilitate the executing agencies to follow a process of project planning to tailor a project as per the local conditions and at different points of time. The Environmental Codes of Practice (ECP): The mitigation/management measures finalized for each of the interventions have been compiled into Environmental Codes of Practices (ECPs). The ECP provides statutory guidelines, information and practices to be adopted by the various line departments towards minimization of the environmental impacts during planning, design and operation of the project activities. The draft codes of practices developed for each of the activities have been discussed with the PCU and representative from respective departments, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to solicit there views on the ECPs prior to their finalization. Downloadable Documents: EMF ECP other than rural roads ECP for rural roads Environmental Management Plan

ASSAM RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICES (ARIAS) SOCIETY