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Introduction

Tapi Irrigation Development Corporation (TIDC), Jalgaon Irrigation Project Circle, Hatnur Canal
Division, Chopda proposes to lift and utilize the water of Tapi River for irrigation, drinking and
industrial purpose. Lower Tapi Lift Irrigation Project envisages construction of a dam on river
Tapi near village-Padalse, Tal-Amalner, Dist- Jalgaon. It is proposed to construct the dam at
Latitude 2101115N & Longitude 75o0030E to have storage of 262.58 Mcum of water.

Project objective:
There is scope for storage of water by constructing a barrage across river Tapi for multi purpose
use of water for irrigation, domestic and industrial purposes through Lift Irrigation Schemes.
Water will be lifted for irrigating 25657 ha of Irrigable Command Area. The proposed project
will benefit 83 villages of Taluka- Amalner, Dharangaon, Parola and Chopda of Jalgaon District
and 2 villages of Taluka- Dhulia and Shindkheda of Dhule District through five schemes
comprising of rising mains and pumps to delivery chambers for onward distribution supply
through conduit pipelines by drip and sprinkler system. The water will be utilized for kharif,
Rabi and hot weather crops by providing perennial irrigation facility to the command area
Earlier the Irrigable command area (ICA) of 43,600 ha, Culturable command area (CCA) 54,500
ha and Gross command area (GCA) of 68,125 ha was projected which has subsequently been
revised to 25,657 ha, 32,072 ha and 40,091 ha respectively.

Salient Features of the Lift Irrigation Scheme:

Baseline environment status


For the purpose of Environmental Impact Assessment the Baseline environment Study area
includes the following.
Area within 10 km radius of the main Project Components i.e. Barrage and
The area covering 1 km area around the Command Area of the project
The study was conducted for three seasons i.e. March, 2010 to December, 2010 covering Pre
monsoon, Monsoon and Post-monsoon seasons.
1. Meteorological Data: The maximum average temperature was 41.2C in the month of May.
While, the lowest average temperature was 15.3C in January. Average Relative humidity was
maximum 88% and minimum 14% and average wind speed was 12.8
2. Air Environment: The value of different parameters is found within the limits prescribed by
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

3. Surface Water: the surface water quality data it is observed that pH of surface water varies
from 6.8 to 7.6 and the EC values are in the range of 112 mhos/cm to 388 mhos/cm. Total
Dissolved Solids vary within the range 58 to 220mg/l.
The observed values of the parameters like pH, EC, % Na, SAR and RSC indicate that almost all
the water samples meet good irrigation water quality criteria as for irrigation water quality is
concerned.
The heavy metals such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead, and Mercury, are all
found below detection limits, whereas low concentrations of iron and zinc are found but within
limit
4. Ground Water: The pH level in ground water ranges from 6.5 to 8.3. The TDS values are in the
range of 156 to 750 mg/l.
In general, the ground water quality of Study region is good. Ground water can be used for
drinking purpose after necessary disinfection.
5. Noise Environment: The ambient noise levels equivalent for 1 hr duration at 10 different
locations was recorded. The ambient noise levels Leq for 1 hr duration at ten different locations

were recorded at 48.84 to 55.13 db (A) during day time and 40.16 to 45.97 db (A) during night
time.
5. Colour of the Soil: Colour of the soil samples are mostly black clay and brown clay From the
results it is seen that soil has moderate organic matter and good for Agriculture activity if
irrigation is available.
6. Soil Quality: The fertility levels of soil based on elements like Nitrogen, Phosphorous and
Potassium during the study period indicate that nitrogen level varies from 0.14% to 0.48%,
Phosphorus 28.87kg/ha (as P) to 133.75 kg/ha and potassium 75.35 kg/ha to 421.00 kg/ha (as K).
Moisture content of the soil varies from 2.82 to 15.05%. The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)
of the soil varies from 20.05 to 29.34 meq/100g. The infiltration rate varies from 1.11 to 1.65
cm/hr.
Interpretation
Soils are fine to moderately fine and medium in texture.
Soils are non-saline in nature.
The pH of the majority of soil samples are in the range of 7.00 to 9.00 and it indicates
maximum availability of essential nutrients for crop growth.
The soils have appropriate amount of organic matter.
The soils are rich in potassium.
The fertility status of soil is is not a permanent soil property. Though the soil in the area is low
in phosphorus, the fertility status of soil can be improved suitably by applying green manures,
organic manures and fertilizers.
Hence it can be concluded that soils do not pose any problem for agriculture due to irrigation.
Land Environment: The study area is predominated by agricultural land (82.3%). Presently the
area is single crop agriculture land but after the operation of the Lower Tapi Project the farmers
of the area will be highly benefitted. The built up area (Settlement) covers only about 0.7%
whereas the water bodies cover 1.3% of the study area. The Forest area covers 8.5% of the study
area. While sandy area covers 1.5% and land scrub covers only 5.6% of the
Sensitive Environment: The study area does not have any sensitive environment within its
command area. There is no wildlife sanctuary, national park and historical monuments in the
command area. However, Satpura range of forest is situated in the northern part of theProject
Site and Chopda command area .
Socio-Economic Environment: The total population in the study area is 92846 and households
are 18274. The composition of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe is low. Most of the
population in the command area belongs to general caste. In the project influence villages, the
Scheduled Caste composition is 8.4% and Scheduled Tribe is 20.2%.

Impact Prediction and Mitigation Measures


Environmental impacts can never be predicted with absolute certainty therefore it is necessary to
consider all project related environmental parameters for predicting the Impact. There will be
environmental and social impacts during preconstruction, Construction and operation phases of
the project. There may be biological, physical and socio-economic impacts also. The identified
significant adverse impacts will form the basis for development of Environmental Action Plan to
be implemented for mitigating the impact.

Impact on Land use, soil erosion/sedimentation


Pre-construction Phase
The areas affected will comprise of 2146.00 Ha of Waste Land and Single Cropped land, 1.61 Ha
of Forest Land. The submergence due to the proposed project is not anticipated to cause major
environmental impacts, though some impacts related with land acquisition and submergence of
some villages would take place; which however would be mitigated with appropriate
management measures.
Construction and Post Construction Phase
During construction and post construction phases, there will be induced change in land use due
to change in economic condition of the villagers and demand of various daily need requirements
by families of construction employees.

Impact on Topography
Pre-construction and Construction phases will have moderate, adverse and permanent impacts on
topography which is due to road construction, excavations of other areas and disposal of solid
material The drilling, cutting, blasting and quarrying operations need to be optimized using
advance techniques so that their impacts are minimized
Operation Phase
No further changes are expected in geology during operation phase of the project.

Impact on Soil Erosion/ Sedimentation


Small area is likely to remain exposed and will be subject to soil erosion due to change in land
use and local drainage pattern. Another impact on soil will be during construction period as there
will be contamination with dust and surface run-off.

Solid Waste Disposal


It is expected that earthwork will be carried out during project construction. The construction of
project components will generate soil and rock spoils. The rock and soil excavation will be
carried out for long road construction for project area. There will be solid wastes from
fabrication workshops, which include metal scraps, waste oils, machine oils, drill cutting oil,
cables and domestic waste cloths. Mitigation measures include careful planning and selection of
borrow pits, timing of cut and fill operations and re-vegetation campaigns. Proper attention is
required for stabilization of the dump by proper net slope stabilization and rehabilitation of the
surface by adding soil and growth of grass of local region suitable to merge with the local land
use.
Operation Phase
The other solid wastes will be from domestic waste which is Municipal Solid waste. This waste
will be collected, segregated properly and biodegradable waste will be taken for biocomposting
using vermicultre technique. Recyclable waste will be sent to authorized recyclers.
Vermicompost
Vermicompost is an organic manure (bio-fertilizer) produced as the vermicast by earth worm
feeding on biological waste material; plant residues. This compost is an odorless, clean, organic
material containing adequate quantities of N, P, K and several micronutrients essential for plant
growth.

Hydrology
Construction Phase:
The proposed diversion may result in higher water levels, water logging and submergence of
water into some unoccupied flat land in the vicinity through which it will ultimately find its way
into respective streams. However, construction of temporary channel with adequate bunding
(check wall) arrangement would avoid submerging of flat areas during construction phase.
The associated environmental impact of such a cross-stream diversion will be severe leading to
reduction of flow immediately downstream of the diversion and consequently, water levels and
water currents downstream. This in turn may affect erosion, water temperature, water quality and
an increase in retention time. The magnitude of the impact is a function of the ecosystems
affected, particularly its aquatic biology, and the length of river/ streams with diminished flow
Operation Phase:
The minimum recommended discharges downstream the river is to be maintained so as to
maintain ecological sustenance and local demand downstream.

The storage of river water with its natural flow besides regulation of flow due to varied uses of
water results in contamination of fresh water available both upstream and downstream.The major
changes may be Changes in physic - chemical properties of reservoir
Impacts on downstream water with the change in behavior of the estuary
Impact on Upstream Environment:
Water will be spread over a length of 40 km due to formation of lake in the U/s of the river. Area
under submergence will be 2146.00 Ha. 6 villages will be affected fully and 5 villages will be
affected partially, and some villages will need protective measures.
No prominent or important road is coming under submergence. However due to long stretch of
submergence and back water affect some portion of road will come under submergence.
Provision for raising these patches and C. D. works is made in the estimate. No electric grids
coming under submergence at present. No minerals, mines, important holy places archeological
monuments etc. are coming under submergence.
Rehabilitation of affected persons and villages will be done as per present government policies
and orders

Impact on Water Quality


Construction Phase
There will be significant impact on water quality due to escape of suspended solids from various
construction activities incidences of soil erosion will deteriorate quality of water downstream if
allowed unchecked. It is anticipated that approximately 25 m3/day of sewage will be generated
from labour colony. if discharged untreated will have significant impact on water quality
downstream, therefore, warrants prior treatment. Hence sewage treatment plan is proposed .
Operation Phase
The increased use of pesticide and fertilizer with intensified irrigation will lead to ground water
pollution. The modern irrigation systems like drip irrigation or fertigation will have negligible
impact on environment. But may increase energy consumption and reduce employment in
agriculture. The most common impacts due to irrigation projects and mitigation measures are
listed

Low flow regime


Changes to the low flow regime may have significant negative impacts on downstream users,
whether they abstract water irrigation schemes, drinking supplies or industrial use. Low flows
need to be adequate enough to ensure sufficient dilution of pollutants discharged from irrigation
schemes and other sources such as industry and urban areas. A reduction in the natural river flow
together with the discharge of poor quality drainage water can have severe negative impacts on
downstream users, including irrigation schemes
Water Logging and Salinity
Water logging decreases irrigation efficiencies as low as 20 to 30%, Poor water distribution
systems, poor main system management and archaic in-field irrigation practices are the main
reason. The water logging can be spectacularly fast in flat areas where the water table has a low

hydraulic gradient. It means water table depth is very low depending on soil characteristics, the
potential evapotranspiration rate and the root depth of the vegetation/crops. Water logging under
capillary action will evaporate, leaving salts in the soil. This occurs in arid and semi-arid areas
with major salinity problems.
Good irrigation management, closely matching irrigation demands and supply, can reduce
seepage and increase irrigation efficiency, thereby reducing the groundwater recharge.
Toxic Substances and Agrochemical Pollution
In irrigation schemes pesticides are most common source of toxic substance. Continuous use of
chemicals is threat to aquatic system when not soluble and attached to the soil particles which are
transported by erosion.
A high nutrient level is toxic to aquatic life and increases rates of algae growth which tends to
decrease the oxygen level of the water and thus lead to the suffocation of fish and other aquatic
biota. Clear water enhances the effect as it enables increased photosynthesis to take place;
reservoirs and slow-moving water are therefore most at risk. Some algae produce toxins, and if
deoxygenation is severe, eutrophic conditions occur.

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