Consultancy Services for Environmental Assessment (Environmental Quality Test, Ecological Survey & Stakeholder Consultation) Report for Construction of Broad-Gauge Rail Line from Madhukhali to Magura via Kamarkhali.

The Government of Bangladesh is constructing multipurpose bridge over the river Padma with a view to connecting Dhaka with south-west and southern part of the country. The Padma Multipurpose Bridge will have a transformational impact on the transportation network of our country. The Padma Multipurpose Bridge having provision of railway track will open a new horizon to expand railway network in the South and South-West region of the country. Bangladesh Railway has planned to construct Padma Bridge Rail link project (Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga-Narail-Jessore). Development Project Proposal (DPP) of the Padma Bridge Rail link Project has been approved by ECNEC on 03-05-2016. After implementation of the project, it will provide a substantially shorter route for rail traffic from Dhaka to Jessore and Khulna region.

An environmental study was conducted covering Environmental Quality Monitoring and Baseline Environmental Survey, as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) during the detailed design of the proposed project. DSCL was engaged by DDC ltd).

The DSCL was engaged to carry out the environmental study covering two scopes: (i) Environmental Quality Monitoring Survey (Air Quality Monitoring, Noise & Vibration, Surface Water Quality, Ground Water Quality, Sediments Quality, and Soil Sampling); and (ii) Baseline Environmental Survey (Fish Species Survey, Ecological Survey, Flora & Fauna, Critical Species, Biodiversity Conservation, Ecosystem, Migratory Birds, and two rounds of Stakeholder Consultation meetings). Based on the outcome & result of these survey and investigation, prepared Environmental Quality Monitoring Report, Baseline Environmental Survey Report and Stakeholder Consultation Report.

Environmental Quality Monitoring & Testing:

§  Carry out sampling and testing activities for environmental quality monitoring.

§  Conduct ambient air quality monitoring at three locations for 8 hours duration in each location and carry out testing of defined parameters, such as particulate Matter PM2.5 and PM10, O3, SO2, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides.

§  Carry out ambient noise level measurement at eight locations for 30-minute duration during the daytime and night-time

§  Collection of groundwater samples at 02 locations and carry out testing of defined parameters, such as pH, Color, Turbidity, Total hardness as CaCO3, Total coliform (TC), Fecal Coliform (FC), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Chlorides (Cl-), Arsenic (As) & Iron (Fe).

§  Collection of sediment samples at 02 locations and carry out testing of defined parameters for riverbed sediment quality, such as, Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Cupper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn).

§  Collection of soil samples at 02 locations and carry out testing for physical, chemical and biological parameters, such as Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Cupper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), and Zinc (Zn).

§  The above samples were tested at different laboratories, such as, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) laboratory, Dhaka University (DU) laboratory, Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) laboratory, and some were tested at in-house laboratory or at site by field testing kits.

Baseline Environmental Survey:

§  Conduct various baseline environmental survey.

§  Fish species survey to identify the abundant, type and habitat area of different fish species, including the fishing gears used, fish catch, and the methods adopted for fishing.

§  Conducted ecological survey within the buffer zone to compare with previous data on the population of creature.

§  Preparation of inventory on flora and fauna for animal and plant groups, including Plants (only endangered or unusual formations), Invertebrates (if these are in any way impacted), and Vertebrates (Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals).

§  Secondary data and selected transect surveys were adopted to prepare the list of animals and plants identified or known to exist within the 5km radius, including data on presence, absence, local, scientific, and English common names, seasonal appearance, relative abundance macro-/micro-habitats, protection categories.

§  Identification of critical ecological species and determine its protection status considering different criteria, such as IUCN’s threatened category (Red Data Book – both National and global threatened category); Species protected under Bangladesh Wildlife Preservation Act (1974); Species included in CITES; Species  protected under any protocol, conventions and any other agreement; Species considered as flagship species, keystone species or other significant species; and Endemicity of the species.

§  Assessment of biodiversity to determine its conservation significance at the level of species as well as the level of ecosystem and for the survival of the critical species within the project area.

§  Identification of potential impacts on existing ecosystem considering lethal or sub lethal effects to biota; disturbances to animals (frightening, avoidance, etc.); destruction of important vegetation habitat; reduction/disturbances to natural breeding and recruitment; permanent degradation of migration and migratory pattern; disturbance to resting and roosting sites for local area animals; hindrance of the natural regeneration process in the project corridor; and reduction of the aesthetic values of habitat/ecosystem.

§  Assist with the migratory bird’s survey to know what type/species of birds visiting the area by consultation with the local population within the 5km radius of the proposed bridge location and from the secondary sources. Some of the migratory birds include Grey-Headed Lapwing (LC), Black- Headed Ibis (NT), Common-Tern (LC), Indian River-Tern (NT), Long-Legged Buzzard (LC), Short-Eared Owl (LC), Comb Duck (LC) etc.

Stakeholder Consultation:

§  Conduct stakeholder consultation in at 04 locations.

§  Conduct the stakeholder consultation meetings.

§  20 Key Informant Interviews.

§  Collection of 04 No Objection Certificated from Local Authorities.

Reporting / Deliverables:

·      Preparation of Environmental Baseline Study (Environmental Quality Test, Ecological Survey & Stakeholder Consultation) Report