Implementation of Environmental Mitigation Measures in Diktel-Chyandanda District Road,Nepal

摘要

The Diktel-Chyandanda District Road (DCDR,48 km) was implemented under Rural Access Programme (RAP).The paper highlights implementation approach of environmental mitigation measures to avoid,reduce and minimize the negative impacts arising from the project and project induced activities,and augmentation of beneficial impacts.The conversion of nearly 34.0 ha land into road formation,which is irreversible in nature is the most significant negative environmental impact emerged due to the road construction.The mitigation measures implemented at the beginning through the project initiation period were found very supportive to maintain natural environment within acceptable limits.Other significant adverse environmental impacts observed during construction phase of DCDR include slope failure due to road construction,spoil disposal and sedimentation onto farm land,effects and disturbance to community infrastructure,utility services and natural drainage systems,loss of forest and agriculture production.The RAP implementation approach was labour based environmental friendly and participatory approach (LEP) - constructed in phases,first opening of trails and widening with structures and finishing works thereafter.The principles of this approach is labour based,including the use of hand tools,small machines,and equipment with total avoidance of explosives.Despite the environmentally sound approach,road construction had produced both beneficial and adverse environmental impacts in the project area.The project generated about 580,000 labour-days employment and US $ 1.80 million (NRs 120 million) incomes from road construction for the local people.In addition,local people had the opportunity of enhancing technical skills through training and working on income generation and road construction activities.The long-term benefits due to the construction of road are access to the goods,markets,and services,and thereby the alleviation of poverty.Apart from the irreversible environmental impacts,most of the negative impacts were mitigated to the extent possible during construction with remaining effects of some residual impacts during post construction phase.