IEE REPORT KHYBER GARDENS

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
2016-CH-454
The Need for IEE
The environmental assessment requirements for projects depend on the significance of environmental
impact. Each proposed project is scrutinized as to its type; location; the sensitivity, scale, nature, and
magnitude of its potential environmental impacts; and availability of cost-effective mitigation
measures. This Project has been screened for its expected environmental impact and this project was
found to have less adverse environmental impact. Thus this Sub project falls within the project
Category B according to the ADB’s Environmental Assessment Guidelines, 2003. Hence it requires an
IEE to be carried out. Hence, IEE study needs to be carried out for getting NOC/approval too.

Description of the Project

Khyber Garden Housing Scheme has acquired 15 Hectors with 426 residential plots of different sizes.
The proposed development aims to satisfy the current demand for housing along the Nowshera-
Peshawar Motorway and will support the housing needs for majority of people living across and
adjoining to these areas.

Location
The proposed site for Khyber Garden Housing Scheme (KGHS) lies at a distance of 16 Km from Rashakai
Enter-change on the North side of Peshawar - Islamabad motor way leading to Islamabad. A second
entrance is planned at a distance of about 4.5 Km on motor way to Akora Khatak through Misri
Banada. This will provide another access to the KGHS from the GT-Road situated on its south side.

Site and Situation

The location of the proposed development relative to geographic indices, existing developments and
major transportation arteries was determined, in order to identify the site and situational context. This
was done using Google Earth facility, maps of survey of Pakistan, plans and photos.

Geology, Hydrogeology and Soils

A definition of the study area was first done, based on the drainage area of which the proposed
development forms a part. These boundaries were demarcated, based on a desktop review available
topographical map, Google Earth Satellite Images and field reconnaissance along open. Baseline data
collection for the study area included information on hydrology, geology, topography and drainage and
included review of existing reports and other information relevant to the study area.

Natural Hazard Risk

Assessment of natural hazard risk was accomplished through a review of relevant literature pertaining
to soils, slopes and drainage, site assessment, and anecdotal reports on historical events from
residents in the surrounding communities. All issues material to the site, such as hydrologic events,
groundwater pollution incidents, flooding incidents and other critical events were reviewed with a 5
km radius of the center of the Proposed Khyber Gardens.
Air Quality
Air contains particulates in the form of dust. A portion of that dust with particle size less than 10
microns can be retained in the lungs. During construction and excavation activities the Concentration
of fugitive dust increases significantly and hence so too does the likelihood of respirable disease in
human’s increase. The objective of the air quality measurement for NOx and SOx was to make sure
that the residents will not be harmed, in the future, by the motorway traffic which causes NOx
emissions. The air quality assessment involved the measurement of ambient levels of respirable
particulates near the boundaries of the Khyber Gardens and along the motorway belt. NOx and SOx
were measured using measuring instruments from Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research Peshawar. The pumps were placed at the approximate Distance at sites for measurement
and recorded.

Noise
Noise has a significant impact on the quality of life, and in that sense, it poses a health risk to humans
in accordance with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health. The effects of noise are
seldom catastrophic, and are often transitory, but adverse effects can be cumulative with prolonged or
repeated exposure.

Water Quality Methodology

Water quality determination, an important component of any environmental assessment, provides
critical data on the condition of the water resource. The major objectives of the present water quality
sampling programme are to assess land use practices prior to the construction of the Khyber Gardens
Development and determine the nature and extent of existing land use impacts on the quality of water
on surface or underground sources.

Negative Impacts at Construction Phase

Construction waste and Disposal of Spoils
Spoil generated will be safely disposed and managed with minimum environmental damages. The
Proponent will use environmental friendly approach for construction, such as balanced cut and fills, re-
use of excavated materials etc., and aim for minimum quantity of earthworks.

Occupational Health and Safety

During construction phase, the working personnel will be exposed to various health risks and hazards.
The workers will receive injuries while working in the subproject, if adequate safety measures and
equipment’s are not adopted. Other potential impacts to health are respiratory and eye disease due to
exposure to dust and smoke.
Social Conflicts, crime and social security
The construction work will be primarily done by contract system, in which registered/qualified
contractors are engaged. Hence few construction crews especially skilled work force from outside is
likely to arrive. These may induce local inflation.

Impact on commercial resources

No significant commercial activities or resources are observed along the proposed Khyber Gardens.
The field study indicates that the construction work will not have any adverse impact on local
commercial resources

Impact on Vegetation
A total of 15 underdeveloped and small sized trees all of common species of Litchi (eucalyptus), Bair,
Shesham and Kikar need to be cleared. The impacts will be local, direct, long-term and of no
significance.

Negative Impacts at Operational Phase

Loss or damage to natural habitat and recreational areas
There is no damage to natural habitat and there were no recreational areas in the vicinity of the
Khyber Gardens. Equally there is no impact upon existing open space and there are reserves for parks,
playing fields and greenbelt land in the area.

Drainage and downstream water pollution impacts

The system will be designed so, that not only the self-cleaning velocity is maintained at design flow but
also scouring velocity is controlled, which might occur due to steep slopes. Manholes will have to be
provided in the system at all junction points and where there is a change of direction or size of the
sewer.

Traffic and transport issues

There is no high traffic associated with the project and there will be no impacts on local and regional
traffic flow which will have effects on traffic congestion, air pollution, smog and noise. The effects on
traffic congestion, smog and noise are properly assessed. Such measures are generally regarded as
more environment friendly.
Beneficial Impact of the Implementation of the Proposal on Environment
Employment and Income
The first and foremost benefit that people may accrue in the construction is employment. During the
construction phase, temporary employment opportunities for unskilled and semiskilled labour will be
generated. An estimated 500 person-days of unskilled and 250 person-days of skilled workforce will be
required for the construction work of the subproject. The impact is thus direct and of high significance
but short term in nature

Enterprise and Commercialization

During construction phase of Khyber Gardens, different types of commercial activities will come into
operation, in order to meet the demands of construction crew. The demand for products such as
pulses, milk, meat, vegetables, fruits etc. will rise during the construction period which may provide
added impetus for market economy of the people in adjoining areas. This will contribute to the local
economy and may help to enhance the business. This impact will be direct, medium significance, local
and short-term to medium-term in nature.

Economic status of local people

The increase in employment and revenue opportunities together with enterprise and
commercialization will enhance the economic status of the local people. This impact will be indirect,
medium significance, local and short-term to medium-term in nature.

Skill Enhancement
This strategy for providing jobs not only provides employment opportunities to the poor but also
supports in transfer of skills and technical know-how while working in similar construction. The
employment opportunity will, on the other hand, develop project type specific skills among the
workers which could subsequently be used in other project like Khyber Gardens, as there are some
other towns already in pipeline to launch. The impact is indirect, medium significance, local and long-
term in nature.
Beneficial Impact: Operation Stage
Improved Access and Reduced Travel Costs
The upgrading of roads in future for the Proposed Khyber Garden will offer easy, comfortable and
quick access to the people of the surrounding areas to markets, social services and other parts of the
City like Mardan and Nowshera. This will be direct, high significance, regional and long term impact .

Environmental Cleanliness and improved aesthetic values

The aesthetic value of the Khyber Gardens and surrounding areas will be enhanced. The proposed
Khyber Gardens will introduce various species of trees and plants along the proposed green belt of the
scheme and also at various unmentioned places so as to increase the natural beauty of the township
and improve the aesthetic values. This will be direct, indirect, high significance, local to regional and
long term impact regarding environmental cleanliness too.

Enhancement of Social Services

Improved road access to the Khyber Gardens will enhance the quality of socio-economic life i.e. health,
communication, and market. Qualified technicians and other services provider will be encouraged to stay in the
area. This will have indirect, high significance, local and long-term impact on the area.

Rise of Land Values

Expected road upgrading of the Khyber Gardens will raise land and houses values along the road
corridor which will further increase the revenue collection. Increased land and houses values also
enhance local’s capability for borrowing loans through collateral (guarantee loan). High value lands are
easily acceptable to banks and micro-finance institutions to I provide loans. This impact will be an
indirect, medium significance, site specific and long term in nature.