Abstract
Irrigation helps in increasing the agricultural yield and the irrigation projects are carried out for
the welfare of people. The importance of environment for sustainable development of irrigation
projects has been realized. Environmental Impact Assessment is being increasingly used as a tool for
appropriate environmental planning. In Pakistan, PEPA (Pakistan Environmental Protection Act),
1997 establishes the framework to carry out Environmental Assessment of development projects.
Various national and international agencies have developed Environmental Assessment Guidelines
and Checklists for systematic evaluation of environmental impacts and their mitigation. The Social
and Environmental Management Unit of Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority developed
checklist for assessment of irrigation projects in 2007. The present study was conducted on three
water sector projects namely: Concrete Lining of Dhudi Minor, Improving Nikki Deg Drain System
and Rehabilitation of Khanki Barrage. The field verification of social and environmental issues of the
projects was carried out according to the checklist of Social and Environmental Management Unit.
The most noticeable impacts which were identified include: extended canal closure, emissions and
effluents, waste generation and disposal, effect on flora, public health and safety, land acquisition,
and social issues. The mitigatory measures proposed: proper project scheduling to minimize the canal
closure periods, waste disposal through proper planning, preparation of detailed resettlement action
plans and compensation, location of labor camps away from the settlements, avoiding unnecessary
cutting of trees, and deployed machinery should be in good working condition. The recommendations
of the study are to review and improve the checklists through a gradual and phased process into a
more comprehensive social and environmental assessment process; capacity building of all the
stakeholders; collaboration between different institutions, agencies and industries for environmental
friendly and sustainable development of projects.
Afaf Ayesha. (2012) Field Verification of Social and Environmental Issues of Selected Water Sector Projects in Punjab – Pakistan, Pakistan Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Volume 11, Issue 1 .
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