The magnitude of the potential impacts upon each ecological feature for the construction

and operation of the Project have been defined in accordance with the criteria set out in
Table 7.38. In accordance with World Bank operational policies, the conservation value
(sensitivity) or weighting attributed to each ecological feature which occurs within the
AoI of the Project has been assessed using the definitions in Table 7.39.
In order to categorize the sensitivity on the basis of biodiversity-specific criteria typically
adopted for the assessment of ecological impacts, the sensitivity ranking presented in
Table 7.39slightly differs from the evaluation matrix presented in Section 7.1 by
including the conservation value category “Very High”. A “High” or “Very High”
sensitivity (conservation value) is equivalent to the general category “High” for receptor
sensitivity in the impact evaluation matrix in Section 7.1 for the purposes of determining
significance.
Significance has been determined by the interaction between the magnitude of impacts
and the sensitivity of receptors affected, as depicted in the impact evaluation matrix in
Section 7.1.
Table 7.38: Criteria for determining impact magnitude
Category Definition
Major Fundamental change to the specific environmental conditions assessed resulting
in long term or permanent change, typically widespread in nature (regional
national and international), would require significant intervention to return to
Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority 7-62
baseline; exceeds national standards and limits.
Moderate Detectable change to the specific environmental conditions assessed resulting in
non-fundamental temporary or permanent change.
Minor Detectable but minor change to the specific environmental conditions assessed.
Negligible No perceptible change to the specific environmental conditions assessed.
Table 7.39: Criteria for determining receptor sensitivity (conservation value)
Conservation
Value (Sensitivity)
Detail Species Criteria Habitat or Site
Criteria
Conservation
Value
(Sensitivity)
Very high Very high
importance and
rarity.
International scale
with limited
potential for
substitution.
IUCN Critically
endangered and
endangered
species.
Internationally
designated sites
(or equal status).
Critical habitats of
significant
international
ecological
importance.
Very high
importance and
rarity.
International scale
with limited
potential for
substitution.
High High importance
and rarity,
national scale, or
regional scale
with limited
potential for
substitution,
species of
international
status but not
within designated
areas.
IUCN Vulnerable
species. Nationally
protected species of
significant
population size and
importance.
Nationally
designated sites
(or equal status).
Areas of critical
habitats of national
ecological
importance, and
natural habitats of
significant
ecological
importance and/or
high biodiversity
with limited
potential for
substitution.
High importance
and rarity, national
scale, or regional
scale with limited
potential for
substitution,
species of
international status
but not within
designated areas.
Medium High or medium
importance and
rarity, local or
regional scale,
and limited
potential for
substitution,
species of
national status but
not within
designated areas.
IUCN Near
Threatened species.
Nationally
protected species or
rare species, but
not a significant
population size and
not of national
importance.
Regionally
important natural
habitats. Natural
habitats. Modified
habitats with high
biodiversity or
under significant
threat of loss
within the region.
High or medium
importance and
rarity, local or
regional scale, and
limited potential
for substitution,
species of national
status but not
within designated
areas.
Low Very low or low
importance and
rarity, and local
scale.
IUCN Least
Concern. Species
of local national
importance.
Undesignated sites
and habitats of
natural habitats of
some local
biodiversity and
cultural heritage
interest. Modified
habitats with
limited ecological
value.
Very low or low
importance and
rarity, and local
scale.
Negligible Other sites with Other sites with
Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority 7-63
Conservation
Value (Sensitivity)
Detail Species Criteria Habitat or Site
Criteria
Conservation
Value
(Sensitivity)
little or no local
biodiversity and
cultural interest.
Modified habitats
with limited
biodiversity
value.
little or no local
biodiversity and
cultural interest.
Modified habitats
with limited
biodiversity value.
7.8.2 Potential Impacts during Construction Phase
Protected areas
There are no protected areas for nature conservation designated at national or
international levels within 40 km of the Project, and therefore no further impact on
designated sites is considered in this assessment.
Terrestrial habitats and flora
Across the AoI, the impacts on the terrestrial habitats and flora are largely associated
with the temporary and permanent habitat loss/degradation resulting from the
construction of permanent and temporary Project infrastructure (refer to Chapter 3).
Introduction or spread of non-native invasive species is also a risk during construction
activities.
The landcover mapping and field surveys identified the presence of seven habitat types
in the AoI of the Project covering an area of 10,400 0ha in total for both dam and power
evacuation facilities..
The most valuable natural terrestrial habitat is the open and closed broadleaved scrub
land, covering 37% of the AoI. Even though this habitat is currently in a degraded status,
its conservation value is considered to be medium because of the scarcity of forests in
Pakistan. Only small areas of this habitat will be affected by the Project, ie about 15 ha;
therefore the magnitude of the impact is considered to be adverse minor. The resulting
effect is therefore adverse minor and not significant.
The magnitude of the impact on the remaining habitat categories of low conservation
value is minor and therefore the effect is negligible and not significant.
No globally or nationally threatened species or endemic plant species were recorded in
the Project AoI. It is to be noted that whole non-agricultural landcover underneath
proposed transmission lines is already subjected to considerable disturbance and human
pressure. Thus, laying out the transmission line will merely place a provisional
superfluous burden on a system that is already stressedas the plant species are considered
to be of low conservation value, the effect is considered to be adverse minor or negligible
and not significant.
Vegetation: The impact of the Project on flora is expected to be minimal. The main
activities that are anticipated to damage the vegetation include clearance of land at
proposed switch yard, transmission line towers, grid station and temporary facilities such
as access roads. It must be mentioned that the whole non-agricultural landcover
underneath proposed transmission lines is already subjected to considerable disturbance
and human pressure. Thus, laying out the transmission line will merely place a
provisional superfluous burden on a system that is already stressed.
Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority 7-64
Since the nature of the impact is linear for transmission line, both in terms of access to
the tower sites and the lines themselves, it can be expected that the vegetation will
regenerate quite rapidly after the project activities and any accidental hazard such as fire,
that might have resulted in damage to the plants or their propagules over a wider area.
In situations where Eucalyptus plantation will be crossed by the transmission Line, it will
be necessary to fall the trees along transmission corridor. Being exotic/introduced
species, it is already a hurdle in growth of many native species, thus the felling may be
beneficial and ecological damage done will be least.
The most probable effect may be a change in plant succession. The area is already under
infestation of invasive Lantana camara with an apparent North- South gradient. It is
suggested that the workflow be maintained from south (Grid station) towards North
(power house), so that the project activities might not help encroach this weedy species
further.
When trees will be removed in the transmission line corridor, it may facilitate wind
erosion due to removal of windbreaks planted on field edges thus a plantation might be
carried out alongside the route of transmission line.
A group of interrelated impacts viz., soil mixing, erosion, rutting, and compaction are
commonly associated with transmission construction and can greatly affect future
agricultural yield. Thus the soil excavated from the poles foundations should be avoided
to mixed up with agricultural soil and be properly disposed off.
The transmission lines may also hinder future consolidation of farm fields or for
residential development thus compensation to affected will have to be made.
Terrestrial and riparian fauna
Mammals