Consultancy Services for Environmental Baseline Studies (Survey, Quality Assessment and Consultation) of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under Feasibility Study with Detail Design and Tender Document Preparation for Construction of Rail Line from Bhanga – Payra Port to Kuakata via Barisal

The project is to construct a broad-gauge railway line from Bhanga to Pyra via Barisal and further extension from Payra to Kuakata (191 + Extension 23 km = 114). Government has decided to construct first deep seaport of Bangladesh in Payra, Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali district. It is a First Track Project of the government. Railway connectivity of the Payara Port is essential to make the pot viable for transporting freight through this port. There is also huge potential for Bangladesh Railway to increase revenue earnings through freight transportation to and from the Payara Port. Hence, expansion of railway networks up to Payra Port is essential. Length [km] / Lanes: 120km; Bridges / Box Culverts: approximate 50

Services included:

Environmental Quality Monitoring & Testing:

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

§  Conduct ambient air quality monitoring at twelve locations for 8 hours duration in each location and carry out testing of defined parameters, such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), PM2.5, PM10, O3, SO2, temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction.

§  Carry out ambient noise level measurement at thirty-two locations for one-hour duration during the daytime and 15 minutes duration during the nighttime.

§  Collection of surface water samples from twelve locations and carry out testing of defined parameters, such as pH, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Phosphorus, Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Oil & Grease, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Bacterial Load.

§  Collection of groundwater samples at twelve locations and carry out testing of defined parameters, such as pH, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Chlorides, Arsenic (As), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Sulphur (S), Total Coliform (TC) and Fecal Coliform (FC).

§  Collection of soil samples at twelve locations and carry out testing for physical, chemical, and biological parameters, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron, and molybdenum.

§  Collection of Riverbed Materials samples at twelve locations and carry out testing for physical, chemical, and biological parameters, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, boron and molybdenum.

§  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. The fish species were surveyed along 1km upstream and 1km downstream of the project location.

§  Conducted ecological survey within 5km 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 also 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, KII and NOC Collection:

§  Conduct stakeholder consultation in two rounds at two locations.

§  The first-round consultation covered the disclosure of the project, project activities, interventions, and typical environmental and social impacts of the project.

§  The second-round consultation covered finding of the ecological assessment and environmental survey and investigation, specific impacts and proposed mitigation measures as discussed during first round.

§  Planning and organization of public consultation meeting, including selection of venue, date, time etc.

§  Preparation of invitation letter and banner for the public consultation.

§  Preparation of invitation list and send invitation letter to all participants.

§  Conduct the stakeholder consultation meetings.

§  12 No Objection Certificate collected from Local Authority.

Reporting / Deliverables:

§  Preparation of Environmental Quality Monitoring Test Report.

§  Preparation of Baseline Environmental Survey Report.

§  Preparation of Stakeholder Consultation, and KII Report.