KHIMTI 1 HYDROPOWER PLANT: SOCIO ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Environmental Compliance

The environmental impacts of Khimti 1 Hydropower Project are small. The project has been well recognised by international consultants for its for its compliance with the very strict health, safety and environmental standards set by ADB and the World Bank.

The mitigation measures as required by the Environmental Impact Assessment (1993) and the Supplementary Environmental Assessment (1994) The mitigation measures were incorporated into the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) which approved by HMGN and the projects lenders.

A village house in Shitale (near plant site), Ramechhap

Under the EMMP, HPL organised a unit referred to as the Khimti Environment and Community Unit (KECU) which has two principal functions - the first was to conduct community related mitigation measures on behalf of the Project, the second is the monitoring of the Project impacts and implementation of the mitigation measures.

Fertile plateau of Khimtibesi, Ramechhap

HPL has ensured that all guidelines were followed by the contractors during the construction phase. The company is committed to continuing this activity during the operation of the plant. HPL will ensure that the guidelines set by number of studies and agreed among concerned parties are properly executed.

Particular reference will be paid to the residual flows in the Khimti Khola fo down-stream irrigation and drinking water supply. HPL will further contribute to rural electrification as well as handing over of a 500kW Jhankre Mini-Hydro Electric Power Plant # to a community based organisation for the long term operation of the plant.

Throughout the construction period, the Project generated an average of approximately 3,000 jobs every day, peaking at 4,500. During their employment, the construction staff, received a great deal of training and much practical experience, allowing for a considerable amount of technology transfer. This created professionally skilled Nepalese manpower for future tunnelling and hydropower projects.

Community Development Works

Meeting with Community Representatives

At it's power house site at Kirne, Dolakha, HPL has established an English medium school in co-operation with the District Education Office of HMGN. HPL has also supported several local schools by providing physical infrastructure as well as by funding teachers. HPL has also funded many Non-Formal Education (NFE) classes and expects to continue with this.

HPL has established a well equipped clinic with adequate staff based at Kirne, Dolakha where more than 90% of the patients are from the local population. In addition to providing regular medical services and ambulance services from Kirne to other hospitals in the district headquarters and to Kathmandu, the clinic is also helping with HMGN's vaccination programme, the Tuberculosis DOTS programme, etc.

Back to Home