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CHAPTER 6

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE CONDITIONS

6.0 GENERAL

Preliminary assessment of environmental and social conditions around the T/L along COI
in Afghanistan from Shirkhan border with Tajikistan to Turkham border with Pakistan is
imperative to evaluate the impacts on communities and environment.

Portion of the project in Afghanistan is 562km long from Tajikistan border to Turkham
border with Pakistan. Socially and culturally sensitive/strategic areas/sites and
environmental conditions including the Ecological scenario has been identified.

As mentioned in Chapter 2, a COI of 1 to 1.5 km from T/L to existing road is considered

for the assessment of socio-economic, biological and physical environment, however, for
assessment of directly affected people and infrastructure a COI of 500 m on either side of
centre line of T/L has been considered. Secondary data pertaining to Metrology, Geology,
Physiographic, Landaus, Flora and Fauna has been collected from secondary sources.
Maps of Survey of Afghanistan and Geological Survey of Afghanistan have also been
made use to get available information about Project Area.

Environmental aspects include soils and topography of the area, landuse, physical
infrastructure, drainage, water resources, ambient air quality, noise level, flora, fauna,
aquatic life etc. Socio-economic indicators such as demographic aspects, occupations,
housing conditions and livelihood, indigenous people, social settings, women issues,
historical and archaeological monuments, and other relevant aspects have also been
taken into account.

The Project Corridor falls in Kunduz, old Baghlan, New Baghlan, Pulikhumri, Salang,
Jabul Saraj, Parwan, Kabul, Surubi, Jalalabad, and end to Turkham. There is adequate
area available all along the route and there is major hurdle, natural streams, rivers,
mountains, highways and snowy areas are crossing the corridor. Groundwater regime is
relatively deep and water table (as stated by local communities) exists at 10 to 15m depth
in valley areas and 40-80m in desert areas. The corridor passes through the
mountainous/hilly and plain barren areas. The route also crosses at places some
perennial streams/nullahs. Land along the route is mostly uncultivable however in nearby
area nullah/streams some areas exist which are being cultivated. Most areas mountains
some areas agriculture is practiced is on irrigated farming, Elsewhere what little
agriculture is practiced is on dry farming techniques dependant on erratic uncertain
rainfall.

The major infrastructural/settlements existing mostly on the north side of the corridor are
some towns, villages, madrassahs, schools, graveyards, streams, water supply schemes,
check posts till Kabul then the Transmission line change the position, so Kabul city
located on the south, and then Surubi located at the north, Jalanabad again on the south
and after Jalalabad major infrastructure/settlements existing mostly on the north,
from shir khan border to Kunduz the line is located in a sufficient distance from the
road , but after Kunduz, the team is suggesting if A7 which is located in Madrasa
area, move about 500m near to main road it will be more sufficient distance from the
road,

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After A14 near to Mazari Sharif road which separate from Pulikhumri- Kunduz road
the line will cross Hairatan T.L which is not in the map, the CASAREM T.L will locate to
the west site of the road and Hairatan T.L is located to the other side of the road and
from that point till Parwan province in many point these two transmission line will
cross each other. After A29 near to Tonal e- Salang the rout cross both the road of
Salang and Hairatan T.L and will Pass Mountain peaks up to nearly 5000 elevation
and it will be the most severe terrain of the whole route as well as from Khanjan south
of Salang to Jabol Saraj north of Salang will be the most severe terrain of the whole
rout,
After A48 near to Harbi Pohanton, Kabul based on phase ll investigation the
transmission line direction will change its position from north to south and follow with
the sub road of Lataband to Surubi and then again join with transmission line on the
map, the main reasons for changing this new rout is:- less extreme altitude , proximity
of existing roads and proximity to existing load center, less potential
economic/biological and socio cultural impact on the corridor,

6.1 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STRIP MAP

Figure 6.1 depicts the environmental and social strip map (not to scale) of Project Area.
The main features include T/L, streams, villages, land use, hills etc. The information on
this map is indicative and helps to have a bird eye view of the existing land use of the
Project Area.

6.2 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

6.2.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY

Afghanistan total land area approaches 650,000Km2.

Most of the land (some 63 per cent) is mountainous,
using formal criteria based on slope and elevation, and
more a quarter (27 per cent) lies above 2500M. Rising to
about 5100m, the rugged Hindu Kush range, covering
456,000 Km2, forms the central core of the country from
where ridges fan out to the west and south, with the
Paropamisus Mountains extending west-ward to the
border with Iran. The Hindu Kush peaks rise even further
in elevation toward northeast Afghanistan, to around
7,000 m in the high altitude Wakhan Corridor, where the
Pamir and Karakoram mountains meet. This corridor
extends as a narrow strip of land to a short border with
China, separating Tjikistan from Pakitan. The most
extensive flatland are located in southwest of the country,
centered around the internal drainage basin of the Helmand Rive, and in the north of the
country , between the northern foothills of the Hindu Kush and the Amu Darya (Oxus)
river (here marking the border with Tajikistan and Uzbakistan ). Both regions, the
southwest in particular, include large areas of san desert.

The western two-thirds of the route from Larkhab and Doshi comprises of high mountain
range of Salang till Jabol Saraj then from Surubi to Kakas. Topography is characterized
by valleys, steep slopes and terraces. Area around corridor is characterized by steep to
vertical slopes with valleys. Most of the mountainous portion of Afghanistan corridor from
Larkhab and Doshi to Jabol Saraj, from Surubi to kakas and from Azizkhan Kas to

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Pulikama lies on the different flank of mountains Range. Generally the range comprises
hills of low to high altitudes varying in height from 800-5000 m asl.

6.2.2 CLIMATE

The climate is continental in nature, with cold winters and hot summers; Most of the
country is semi arid or arid, with low amounts of precipitation and high or very high
variability between tears. Snowfall is concentrated in the central mountains and the higher
ranges of the north east. winter temperatures are extremely low in both these areas,
below -150C for many weeks during winter, most of Afghanistan is influenced by weather
fronts from the Mediterranean, with low and erratic rainfall, typically in spring, the east of
the country lies near the margin of the monsoon system affecting the Indian subcontinent,
Here, parts of the eastern provinces, including Laghman and Jalalabad have up to
1200mm of rainfall in summer.
Afghanistan T.L has extreme climate with cold to severe cold winters and hot to very hot
summers. During summer months there is much difference in diurnal temperature in the
open and under the shade of hilly areas. The summer nights are relatively cool.
The proposed route of transmission line that falls within Afghanistan varies in elevation up
to 5000m asl at the pass. Higher elevations experience colder winter temperature that
approaches freezing. Surrounding mountains of Salang occasionally experience snow fall
during mid November, till the month of March. During summer temperature can reach up
to 40oC, during January minimum temperature drops down to 3 oC during the month of
January in Kuduz and Jalalabad. The project falls in cool sub-humid climatic zone
associated with 350-900 mm rains in summer and winters. The bulk of the rain is usually
received between Nov. and March and in winters. June, July, August and Sep. are the
driest months.
There are three weather stations recording meteorological data as under:

Metrology office, Kunduz

Metrology Office, Parwan
// // , Kabul
// // , Jalalabad

The winds are generally from northerly direction in winter and from the south-west in
summer.

6.2.3 SOIL

Mountains generally have steep slopes, are have no soil cover. The areas
having gentle slopes bear their primary soils, which are course textured admixed with
stones. Valleys contain alluvial soils, mixed with gravels and pebbles deposited by storm
water channels and drains. These are of generally coarse nature. These soils are
moderately to strongly calcareous and well drained. The soils occupying level to gently
sloping are from pediment materials having medium to textured (very fine sand and very
fine sandy loam). Materials of these soils are derived from limestone, sand stone, shale
and schist rocks. The soils in plain area particular areas access to water which is located
in different portion of corridor are fertile and fit for agriculture and other plain areas are for
rain fed.

6.2.4 GEOLOGY & SEISMOLOGY

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The Tadjik block of northern Afghanistan formed the southern margin of the Eurasian
continental plate during Permo-Triassic times. The Palaeozoic basement was intruded by
Triassic granitoids as a result of subduction related to the first stages of the closure of the
Tethys Ocean during the Cimmeride Orogeny. Subsequent to this, a Jurassic clastic
sequence was deposited, which changes upwards to Cretaceous carbonate platform
sedimentation. This area is now the prime target for hydrocarbon exploration, although
the exposed granitoids in the northeast of the block are prospective particularly for
precious (and base) metal mineralization.
The corridor forms a part of the plain Indo-Gangetic synclinorium which was downwarped
as a foredeep, synchronous with the Salang orogenesis. The process started in the early
tertiary period and lasted till the late pliestocene. During the process of uplifting, parts of
the area sand and the surrounding parts got upheaved giving rise to a present day
configuration consisting of a succession of ranges of broken hills between which lie open
valleys, seldom more than 6 or 9 km in width. The western ranges comprise older
Jurassic and cretaccous inseparable Pliocene rocks. The central part consists of middle
Miocene and Eocene shales, sandstones and limestones and the southern and eastern
parts consist of Pliestocenet period.
The proposed transmission lines in Afghanistan run through the provinces of Kunduz,
Baghlan , and Pulikhumri to the north of Salang mountainous area and then to the south
to Kabul and Jalalabad to Turkham, The rocks exposed include sedimentary, meta
sedimentary and meta-morphic sequence ranging from carboniferous to pre-cambrian
age. Among major rock types are included sandstones, siltstones, slaty shales, phyllites,
marbles, quartzites, politic schists and carbonate rocks.

6.2.5 LAND USE

A big portion of land in the corridor is unused, barren and un- vegetated due to shortage
of water availability. However, project area is well drained. The proposed route passes
through mountainous terrain, settlements close to the road, nullahs/gullies locally known
as agricultural lands. Generally the project corridor is bordered by hills or mountains on
both sides or hills on one side and deep river on the other side or sub-mountains on one
side and desert on other side.

6.2.6 AGRICULTURE

Agricultural use of land is limited in the tribal mountainous and rocky region due to rocky
soils, steep slopes, lack of suitable land and limited water supply. Segments of land in
route along corridor or intermittent stream beds are used to agronomy as well as growing
fruit crops and social forestry in the tribal belt of proposed corridor. Scanty scrub
vegetation along slopes and other areas are used as grazing and fuel wood gathering
grounds. Natural vegetation has been cleared in the cultivated areas since long. Some
areas are dry formed when there are good rains are able for cultivation. However, non-
arable areas consisting of steep and very steep slopes, rough broken land and rough
mountainous land support scrub and tree (forest) vegetation. The severe and
uncontrolled usage of this vegetation by man and his animals has radically changed the
vegetation type and has deteriorated its quality and density. At present practically all
grass lands and grazing types are in a serious state of depletion. Low mountainous
areas, rough broken land and other uncultivated areas provide fire wood and grazing.

6.2.7 WATER RESOURCES

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Five principal drainage regions can be distinguished, with the Koh-e-Baba mountain
range in the geographic centre of the country as the primary watershed. With one
exception, all drainage system in Afghanistan end in closed internal basins.
The major river is the Amu Darya, which rises in the Pamirs, forms much of the northern
border of Afghanistan, and traverses a large area of Cevtral Asia, drying up before it
reaches the Aral Sea, the Kabul river system, which drains around 9 % of the country
around the capital, traverses the Jallalabad Gorge to join the Indus river in Pakistan.
There are two distinct rainy seasons in the Afghanistan winter (December March) and
summers (April-mid of Ma) with usual onset of weak monsoon in July. During intervening
periods of May to October-November season remains dry. There is no water storage
facility in the area hence most of the water is received either from rainfall or snow.
Last few years have experienced very little rain in the Project Area. It has made the area
dry. The drought resulted in most of the perennial flood streams remaining dry during
most part of the year. Houses have been constructed along the corridor indicating the low
probability of flooding in the proposed transmission line route.

Groundwater is available at a minimum depth of 10 m up to 200 m and more depending

on various factors, most important being the lateral distance from a river or stream. Dry
Farming is a common practice for use of rainwater for harvesting crops especially at the
corridor. Extraction of underground water by electric or diesel pumps is quite expensive.
Agricultural cultivation or farm forestry is found at isolated pockets only where spring,
surface or underground water is available. There are pumping stations for collection and
supply of drinking water along the corridor.

6.2.8 AMBIENT AIR AND NOISE QUALITY

Tajikistan being a land locked country bulk of its international trade passes through
Shirkhan border. A large number of vehicles ply on this route hence the major source of
air and noise pollution is from heavy traffic load on the Shirkhan border Kunduz and
Kabul road. As well as Pakistan being a land locked country bulk of its international trade
passes through Turkam border. A large number of vehicles ply on this route hence the
major source of air and noise pollution is from heavy traffic load on the Turkham
Jalalabad and Kabul road.
In Afghanistans urban areas, especially in Kabul air quality is poor due to traffic
emissions, pollution from individually heated houses and from dust. The combined effect
of these emissions can generate serous risks to public health. Some of UNEPs results in
the measurements of air quality were alarming. The Ministries of Public , Irrigation , water
resources and Environment , and Mines and Industry will be key partners in addressing
air quality issues.
Use of fuel wood for cooking purposes also contributes in the air pollution. In addition to
this fugitive dust from quarries also adds to air and noise pollution. The Project Area has
no Industry or major commercial activities except at few urban areas including Kunduz,
Pul-e-Khumri, Kabul, Jalalabad and Torkham, hence not much Noise and Air pollution in
the corridor.

6.3 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

6.3.1 GENERAL

Forests, Vegetation (Flora), Wildlife, Reptiles, Insects and Butterflies, Birdlife, Fresh
Water Fish (Fauna) etc. are the ecological resources of the Study Area.
The plain and sloppy areas of Shirkan border to Pul-e- Khumri covered by vegetation and
barren, The hills of Doshi , Salang , Tangi Abrishom Pass are rocky, bare, precipitous and

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irregular. Due to the abuse vegetational cover in this track only shrubs and bushes remain
which, however, yield considerable firewood and pasture. In patches of suitable forest
exist containing cedrus deodara , picea smithiana, abies spectabilis, pinus wallichiana,
pinus gerardiana, juniperus semiglobosa, pinus selvestris, pinus helepensis , quercus
balout , quercus dilatata , quercus semicarpifolia , olea ferruginae , haloxylon
ammodendron , haloxylon pesrsicum , pistacea vera , amygdalus communis, juglans
regia, robinia pseudoacacia, ulmus campestris, ulmus Montana, ailanthus glandolsa,
cercis griffithii, elaeagnus angustifolia, populus pyramidalis, populus alba, populus ciliate,
salix aemophyla, salix wallichiana, salix angustifolia, salix elegan, salix babylonica,

Fruit plants include apple, pear, apricot, pomegranates, grapes, pistachio, plum, quince,
rhubarb, sour orange, sweet orange, sugar cane, vine, walnut, melon, water melone,
almond, apple, apricot, banana, berry, citron, date, fig, grape, loquat, olive, peach,pear,
pinnate, mulberry, and walnuts grown in corridor different locations.

The Fauna available based on phase ll investigation along the corridor in Afghanistan are
found from place to place as the follow:
Wolf Canis lupus
Jackal Vulpes vulpes
Rabbit lepus capensis
jarah Hystrix indica
Forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula
Turkistan rat rattus rattoides
House mouse mus musculus
Long tailed hamster Calomyscus lailward
Gray hamster Cricetulus migratorius
Common white toothed shrew Crocidura russula
Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Red fox Vulpes vulpes
Snow leopard Uncia uncial
Leopard Panthera pardus
Himalayan lynx Lynx lynx isabellina
Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis
Siberain ibex Capra ibex

In Afghanistan the project corridor passes through Dry Arid Habitat poorly
vegetated/forested with quite minimal biological diversity due to shortage of water, limited
rainfall and scanty soil cover. Wherever they occur shrubs and bushes provide
rangelands for grazing and fuel wood gathering grounds. In some places trees are met
with. Sub mountains and mountainous areas are not available for cultivation except in
some portion of settled area in Kunduz, Baghlan, Pul-e-Khumri , Kabul, Jalalabad.

6.3.2 RESERVED FORESTS

No reserved forest exists even up to 5km from the proposed corridor of transmission line
in Afghanistan.

6.3.2 VEGETATION DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE PROJECT CORRIDOR

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The proposed Transmission Line (T/L) route in Afghanistan starts from a southerly
direction to the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border near Shir Khan Border and thereafter
follows the road to Kunduz.
The route shown on the map follows the road to Kunduz, Baghlan, Pulikhumri, Salang,
Kabul, Mahipar and Jalalabad to Turkham. The route is located on the south side of the
road of Kunduz.
from shir khan border to Kunduz the line is located in a sufficient distance from the road
some small part of the rout located on desert and some part on vegetation area, but after
Kunduz, about A 7 Madrasa location of Kunduz province, the team is suggesting if A7
which is located in Madrasa area, move about 500m near to main road it will be more
sufficient distance from the road less social impact,
About A9 and A10:- if A9 move 400m south and A10 move 1500m to the north it will be
cost-effective.
After A14 near to Mazari Sharif road: - the line will cross Hairatan T.L which is not in the
map, the CASAREM T.L will locate to the west site of the road and Hairatan T.L is located
to the other side of the road from Kunduz to Pulikhukri the rout located on plain
agricultural area, sub- mountains and desert, the land which is access to water is
vegetation and green and in desert sides we can find bushes and shrubs,
The total length of the route shown on this map is approximately 124km all of which is
under 1,000m elevation.
The route continues generally south alongside the road to Pul-e-Khumri and Dowshi.
As per phase ll team investigation After Pul-e-khumri if A17 move about 2km to side of
A16 it will sufficient distance and less economical and social impact. This place of corridor
located near to the river of Plu-e-Khumri , the land which is located near to the river is
vegetation and other areas not green,
From A 18 Dowshi district of Pul-e-Khukmri province till the A 37 Jabul Saraj district
Parwan province the corridor will pass the high mountainous area of Khanjan, north
Salang and south Salang till Jabolsaraj,
The rout generally follows the road The section from Salang Pass to Jabal-Os Saraj is
through terrain of similar severity as that north of the Slang Pass also the rout will cross
many time Hairatan T.L, so the team suggested if the rout move from one to another side
of the road at north of Salang pass through Jabal Saraj to Charikar.
From Jabol Saraj A37 to near Kabul A45 the rout will cross Hairatan T.L in Charikar
location and then Hairatan T.L goes to the Kabul road and CASAREM T.L will turn to north
and in this location the rout will cross again Hairatan T.L. most of the land is vegetation in
this location some portion consist of plain agriculture area and some portion vine or grape
gardens and some portion of the corridor barren because shortage of water.
The route generally follows the road south to Kabul and then east to Jalalabad, passing
approximately 5km north of Kabul airport and similar distance north of Jalalabad.
After pass Kabul the rout located at Mahipar road but the team is suggesting to change
the rout direction from Mahipar to Lataband, so from A48 the new rout will follows
Lataband road to surubi, then the new rout will join again the main rout , the new corridor
that the team suggested ( Lataband road) there is no vegetation area in this location just
we find bushes and shrubs,
The distance from these two (Kabul and Jalalabad) cities are to minimize the socio-
economic impacts on these urban areas and in the case of Kabul to provide a suitable
location for a converter and/or substation in an uncontested area. The total line length on

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this map is 183km of which approximately 135km is at elevations between 1,000m and
2,000m with the remaining 48km at less than 1,000m.
To minimize the socio-economic impacts the team is suggesting one more angle point
between A47 and A48 because the Transmission Line will pass a number of villages
which is depends Deh Sabs district, Kabul
After A48 based on phase ll investigation the transmission line direction will change its
position from north to south and follow with the Lataband sub road to Surubi and then
again join with transmission line, the main reasons is less extreme altitude , proximity of
existing roads and proximity to existing load center,

Major tree species, shrubs, medicinal plants and herbs found in COI ( 1 to 1.5 km) are
given in Table 6.1.

Table 6.1: Vegetation along the COI ( 1 to 1.5 km

S.# SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON/VERNACULAR REMARKS
NAME
1. Cedrus deodara Lemanz or Archa Tree
2. Picea smithiana Surp Tree
3. Abies spectabilis Bejor Tree
4. Pinus wallichiana Neshtar Tree
5. Pinus gerardiana Jalghoza Medicine and fruit tree
6. juniperus semiglobosa Obakht Tree
7. Pinus selvestris Kaj-e-Safid Tree
8. Pinus helepensis Najo Tree
9. Quercus Kacho Tree
semicarpifolia
10. Quercus Balout Balout Tree for fire
11. Quercus dilatata Maro Tree
12. , olea ferruginae Zaiton Medicine tree
13. Haloxylon Black Saksawol Medicine tree
ammodendron
14. haloxylon pesrsicum Whit Saksawol Medicine tree
15. Pistacea vera Pesta Fruit tree
16. amygdalus communis Badam-e-Kohi Fruit tree
17. Juglans regia Charmaghz Fruit and medicine tree
18. Robinia pseudoacacia White Akasia Tree
19. ulmus campestris Pashakhana Tree
20. ulmus Montana Pashakhana-e-Kohi Tree
21. ailanthus glandolsa Baed rosi Tree
22. Cercis griffithii Arghawan Tree
23. Elaeagnus Senjed Fruit tree
angustifolia,
24. populus pyramidalis Chenar-e-Ar Ar Tree for fire
25. , populus alba, Safidar Wooden beam
26. populus ciliate Chenar Wooden beam
27. salix aemophyla Baed Tree fire
28. salix wallichiana Baed Tree fire
29. salix angustifolia Bead-e- zard Tree
30. salix elegan Bead-e-surch Tree
31. salix babylonica Majnoon bead Tree

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A comprehensive list of plants found in the Project/Study Area is given in Appendix-I.

None of these floral species is enlisted as endangered.

6.3.5 ENDANGERED FLORAL SPECIES

Due to overgrazing and excessive exploitation there is sparse vegetation consisting of

scrub forest (bushes & shrubs) devoid of important species of trees.
Salang Mountains are good habitat for Ulmus Montana but because of cutting of trees
for firewood this species endangered.

6.3.6 FAUNA

Fauna of the area comprise of Wildlife Mammals, Domesticated mammals, Reptiles,

Amphibians, Avifauna (Birds) and Fresh Water Fish. A list of Fauna commonly found in
the area is given in Appendix-II.

Mammals

Due to degraded habitat and sparse vegetation not many

wild animals exist in area. Commonly found wildlife in sub-
mountainous and mountainous area includes: Jackals
(Asiatic jackal), Fox (Vulpesvulpes), Cat (Felis catus) and
wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Rarely wolf (Canis lupus) is also met
with. However,

Other small wild mammals found are Porcupine (Hystrix

indica), Squirrel (Funambulus pennant), Bat (Pterous
mediusm), Rabbit (Lepus cunniculus) Wild Hare (Lepus
nigricollis), Mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), Mouse
(Mus musculus), and Rat (Rattus rattus) etc.

Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects And Butterflies

Snakes, Scorpions, Lizards, are the common reptiles in the area.

Amongst snakes mostly non-poisonous snakes like Rat eaters are found. People usually
resort to spiritual healers in case of snake bite. Black and soil colored, scorpions are in
abundance, latter is more poisonous. Among Lizards Agama, Geko and Varanus are met
with. Goh (Varanis monitor) is the largest lizard. Frog and Toads are common amphibians.

Due to scanty vegetation not many insects are found. However, flies and mosquitoes are
very common. A variety of butterflies is found on shrubs and herbs. Millipedes, centipedes
and bugs, beetles are also found.

Birds (Avifauna)

Project Corridor passing through Afghanistan is not very rich in Birdlife due to lack of
suitable habitat. However, there is rich diversity of avifauna in area between Kunduz and
Dowshi and between Jalalabad and Shahedd mol substation due to agriculture and rich

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vegetation and near to streams beds. The main avifauna found in and around area
includes Pigeon (Columba livia), Parrot (Psittacula krameri), Dove (Macro-phygia magna),
Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Owl (Strix nebulosa), House sparrow (Passer domesticus),
common Teal (Anas crecca), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) Chukor (Alectoris chukor), Shikra
(Accipeter badius), Behri (Falcon peregrine), Kestrel (Falco tinunculus), Bulbul
(Pycnonotus cafer), Crow, Kite, Duck, Quail, Patridges, Sandgrouse etc.
And the most important endanger bird is Siberain crane( Grus leucogeranus)in
Afghanistan.

Aquatic Life

There is perennial water body along the COI; however COI crosses the Kunduz River and
Kabul river, which carries fresh water fish. The species are Khardar , Laqa , Marmahi, and
Peshawri mahi. Some fishing activity is noticed in Kunduz , Jalalabad and Kabul river.

6.3.7 WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

There is no wildlife sanctuary in or near the COI.

6.3.8 ENDANGERED WILDLIFE SPECIES

The endangered wildlife includes Wolf, Leopard Panthera pardus

Leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis, Siberainibex capra ibex. Leopard is globally
endangered animal.

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6.3.9 WETLANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA

There are not wetlands in within the COI of Afghanistan.

6.4 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

6.4.1 GENERAL

This section presents the collective results of the socio-economic baseline surveys
carried out for sample populations settled along the COI (1 to 1.5 km), however affected
structures and were identified within the COI of 500 m i.e. 250m on either side of centre
of T/L.

During the in-depth survey of the Project Area, it was noted that about 20 Nos. villages/
towns/ settlements fall along the COI (1 to 1.5 km). As per requirement of ADB, 20
percent sample size of affected families (30 Nos.) were randomly selected and
accordingly interviewed by giving due weight age to various villages/settlements. Based
on the data collected a socioeconomic baseline data have been accomplished, which will
provide the basis of subsequent further investigations during the preparation of detailed
ESIA in upcoming stages of the proposed project.

6.4.2 POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SETTINGS

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Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attaches, a US, allied, and northern alliance
military action topped the Taliban for sheltering Ossaman bene Ladin.

In late 2001, a conference in BOON, Germany, established a process for political

reconstruction that ultimately resulted in the adoption of a new constitution in presidential
election in 2004, on 9 October 2004, Hamid Karzai became the first democratically
elected president of Afghanistan,

The government of Afghanistan was already taking modest steps to address some of the
environmental problems of the country, especially those of water supply, deforestation
and wildlife conservation. As early as 1972, the government requested assistance form
UNDP and FAO and developing a strategy for the conservation and management of
natural resource and wildlife, the strategy was eventually published in 1981, it provided
detailed information on the physical and biological environment of Afghanistan as well as
its ecological history and current conservation challenges in the area of forestry,
agriculture, endangered species, wetland management, legislation, and education,

To identify the most pressing institutional, policy and legal need for environmental
management, UNEP collected information on the current organization of the
environmental sector. The following sections provide a broad over view of existing
government structures, polices, lows and instruments for environmental management,

Ministry of irrigation, water resources and environment

For the first time in the history of the country, and authority for environmental
management was mandated in the new governmental structure, the Ministry of irrigation
and water resources (established under the interim administration) was allocated the
additional responsibility for the environmental management and renamed as the ministry
of irrigation, water resources and environment (MIWRE)

A deportment of environment has been created , but it dose not at present have
dedicated staff to work specifically on environmental management issues rather the staff
consists mainly of technical water and irrigation experts , consultants and engineers.

Other relevant environmental management bodies:

Ministry of agriculture and animal husbandry

// planning

// Public health

// urban development and housing

// Rural rehabilitation and development

// Water and power

// Mines and industry

// Information and culture

In the current transitional period the Boon agreement determined that the 1964
constitution enacted under the monarchy shall continue to govern Afghanistans legal
system to the extent that it is not inconsistent with other components of the agreement.

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6.4.3 SETTLEMENT PATTERN

During the detailed field survey, it was noted that there are about 26 villages/
towns/settlements along the project corridor. The major villages/settlements/towns along
the COI included Shirkan bander, Qaratozma village, Asqalan area, Madrasa area,
Qughrata village, Omarkhyel village, Ghori Cement Firm, Karkad village, Topdara area,
Qarabagh area, Sali khoja area,Cheshma-e-Dogh area, Qala-e- Moradbig village, Deh
Sabs district, Qali Gulbaz village, Mullah Omar area, Surubi district, Mashali Kamar,
Kakas village, Azizkhan kas village, Daronta power station house, Bela village, Kabuli
camp, Marko district, Mohandara district and Gerdi gaous,
Thus both rural and urban population is located along the COI of Shirkhan Border
Turkham section.

Above settlements is both small and large ranging from 20-300 houses including 500-
9000 persons. Most of the population resided along the project corridor is rural.

From Shirkhan border to Doshi , most of the land is agriculture , hilly, barren/plain barren
or sub mountain while the transmission line route onward Doshi to Jabol Saraj passes
through the mountainous and rocky area, from Jabol Saraj to Lataband road the land is
agriculture , hilly, barren/plain barren or sub mountain and all Lataband road to Surubi is
dry sub mountains and barren areas then from surubi to end of Tangi Abrishom the land is
mountainous and rocky, so from Kakas to Daronta land is desert , form Daronta to Puli
Kama the land is again mountainous and rocky and after Puli Kama the line passes an
agricultural named Bela and end to a mountainous place called Surkh Dewal , from Surkh
Dewal to Turkham the land is agriculture , hilly, barren/plain barren or sub mountain.

As far as the land ownership is concerned, along the project route, the land is a
communal property by the tribes and within them by localized clans. As the land is a
communal property, so that there is no practice of sale and purchase of land, however, in
case land is required for some development projects, acquisition is done through in
consultations with the elders of concerned tribes.

6.4.4 ETHNICITY/TRIBES

The main tribes located along the route are the Jabar khyael, Ahmadzai, Kalo khyel,
mohmand, panjshiri, and Ebrahim khyel tribes. All the land and other natural resources
located along the COI are owned by the above tribes. Each tribe has further sub-tribes/
clans and has their own traditions and customs.

The political administration is supported by tribal elders (Maliks) man and women Shuras,
which represent different clans and are recognized by the government. They are the
persons commanding most authority and influence in their tribe. The maliks supervise
and coordinate the implementation of law and order and exercise their functions as
mediators and as members of special tribal councils (Jirga), which are organized as and
when required. Generally, it is organized in order to take some decisions on certain major
types of disputes/ conflicts. The FCR provides legal cover to the local council (Jirga) to
settle disputes arising out of blood feuds, relating to women, wealth and land disputes.
The Jirga represented by the Maliks, who also serve as a medium of communication for
the public participation.

6.4.5 DEMOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE PROJECT CORRIDOR

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The demographic features include the information on size of households, gender

composition, literacy status, housing, expenditure, income etc. of the population in the
project area.

i) Family Size and Gender Composition

Along the COI, majority of the population are living as a joint/extended family system in
the same compound. This explains the predominance of extended families in the project
area. The extended or joint families include all the family members consisting children,
wife, mother, father, brothers, sisters and grandparents are living under the same
compound led by the family head. The elder of the house is responsible to look after all
the social matters and other activities of the house including income and expenditure etc.
Based on the field survey, the size of most of the households located along the COI is
between 10 to 30 persons, while the average family size is to the extent of 26 as
discussed below.

The average family size estimated at 12.5 considering the nuclear family, while in general
people are living as joint/extended family system, where the average size is estimated at
26.0. The gender composition reveals that the proportion of males and females was to
the extent of 57 percent and 43 percent respectively (Table 6.1).

Table 6.1: Average Family Size and Gender Composition of Population

Located within the COI
Average Gender Composition
Family Size
Male (%) Female (%)
(No.)
12.5 57.0 43.0
(26.0)*
Figure in parenthesis is the average size of joint families in the Project Area

iii) Education Status

the Ministry of education with UN and NGO support has begun the process of rebuilding
the education system including school construction and repair curriculum reform and
teacher training, Initial results from the back to school campaign to return 1.78 million
children to school by March 2002 suggest nearly Twice the expected number returned,
Kabul University also reopened its doors and provided entrance examination to 20,000
students. Literacy is a key-learning tool in the first step towards basic education. Illiteracy
breeds a vicious cycle, i.e. Illiterate are poor - poor are powerless - powerless are
illiterate Literacy is not just attaining the skills of reading and writing but providing people
with the skills to learn, protect and empower themselves in society and effectively
contribute in decision making at various levels..

The overall literacy rate among the sample population was 28.5 percent. The literacy rate
for male and female computed to be 37.0 percent and 3.0 percent respectively in the
COI-1 to 1.5 km (Table 6. 2).

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Table 6.2: Educational Status of Affecters along the Project Route

Literacy Rate (%)
Education
Overall Male Female
Literate 28.5 37.0 3.0
Illiterate 71.5 63.0 97.0

iv) The Nature Occupation

The major occupations are service/drivers, business/ transporters, labor and others
(working abroad & some were involved in farming). Table 6.3 reveals that on overall
basis, the proportion of drivers/service was to the extent of 28.0%, while the business
especially transporters were 40.4 percent of the total population resided along the project
corridor. There were 19.1% laborers (skilled/unskilled) and remaining 12.5 percent were
working abroad & some were engaged in farming activities. The farming activity mostly
persist from Shirkan bander to Doshi , from Jabol Saraj to Pulicharkhi and from Kabuli
camp to Shaheed Mol. where most of the land is plain and cultivable.

Table 6.3: Major Occupations of Sample Affecters

Major Occupations (%)
Service/ Business/ Labor Other
Drivers Transporter (skilled/unskill (abroad,
ed) farming)
28.0 40.4 19.1 12.5

6.4.6 STATUS OF AGRICULTURE

As mentioned before, from Shirkan bander to Doshi the existing land within the COI is
mostly hilly, barren/plain barren also plain access to water area therefore cultivation is
easy in practice in plain and access to water areas . However, from Doshi to Jabol Saraj
it is mountainous and rocks there is no agriculture, and the from Jabo Saraj to Kabul the
land is fertile and agriculture is in full swing. From Pulicharkhi to Surubi and Kakas it sub
mountains and mountainous without agriculture, from surubi to end of Tangi Abrishom the
land is mountainous and rocky, so from Kakas to Daronta land is desert , form Daronta to
Puli Kama the land is again mountainous and rocky and after Puli Kama the line passes
an agricultural named Bela and end to a mountainous place called Surkh Dewal , from
Surkh Dewal to Turkham the land is agriculture , hilly, barren/plain barren or sub
mountain.

During the field survey, it was observed that on overall basis, the average size of the
cultivated area is varying from 1.5 ha to 3.5 ha in case of individual land owners, while in
case of communal land such cultivable land is ranging from 20 ha to 40 ha.

The summarized data as depicted in Table 6.4 shows three main crops are being grown,
i.e. wheat, maize and fodder. Maize is the main crop. Fodder for livestock is usually
cultivated during the both seasons.

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Table 6.4: Cropping Pattern and Intensity along the COI

Wheat Rice Maize Fodder Cropping
Intensity
(%)
61.0 20.3 30.5 8.5 127.2

The average yield per ha of wheat has been worked out to be 4152 kg, while it is 1,779
kg/ ha in case of Maize and 23,720 kg/ ha for fodder. It is worth noting to mention here
that the cultivable land is only available in the plain fertile area

6.4.7 HOUSEHOLD INCOME/ LIVELIHOOD

The income is an indicator for assessing the livelihood/well-being of a household. In the

project area, the major sources of household income are business especially transport,
shops, hotel, auto-workshops; remittances from both in-land and abroad services.
Furthermore, a significant proportion of the population was engaged in daily wage labor.
Partly the household income is also supplemented through the sale of livestock
(especially goat/sheep) and farming activities especially onward, where land is being
cultivated/ cropped. The survey results depicted in Table 6.5 show that for the whole COI,
the average annual household income estimated as US$ 4500. The average annual per
capita income computed to be US$ 350.

Table 6.5: Average Annual Household Income of Sample Households along

the Project Corridor

Average Household Income Average Per Capita Income

(US$) (US$)
Annual Monthly Annual Monthly
4500 370 350 30

6.4.8 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE

The household expenditure and pattern of expenditure, (which includes food and non-
food) provides an indication for assessing the standard of living of a household. The
expenditure on food items includes cereals, pulses, flour, sugar, cooking oil/ghee, milk
etc., while non-food items consist of expenditure on education, medicines/medical
treatments, clothes, shoes, cosmetics etc. The survey results presented in Table 6.6
indicate that the average annual household expenditure both on food and non-food items
worked out to be US$ 2460 out of which, 80.9 percent and 19.1 percent expenditure
incurred on food and non-food items respectively.

Average annual household expenditure on food is computed to be US$ 1990 (80.9%)

along the project corridor respectively. In case of non-food items, such expenditure are to
the extent of US$ 470 (19.5%).

Table-6.6: Average Annual Food and Non-Food Expenditure

Total Food &
Non-Food Non-Food
Food Expenditure Food Non-Food
Expenditure Expenditure
(US$) Expenditure (%) Expenditure
(US$) (%)
(US$)
1990 80.9 470 19.1 2460

iii) Housing Conditions

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Housing conditions are also one of the indicators for the assessment of living
standard/livelihood of a household. Based on field survey results as presented in Table
6.7 that on the whole, all sample affecters had their own houses, As far as the housing
condition is concerned, out of total sample affecters, 15.9 percent had paved houses,
40.5 percent had paved + unpaved and remaining 43.6 percent had un-paved houses. As
regards the availability of toilets in the houses/ compound, survey results indicated that
on overall basis, about 2/3rd houses have toilets with flush system, while remaining 1/3rd
houses have not toilet facility, so that the family members are using open field for toilets in
the project area.

Table 6.7: Housing Conditions in the project Area

(Percent)
Housing Conditions Toilet Facilities
Paved Paved+un-paved Un-paved Flush system Open field
15.9 40.5 43.6 67.6 32.4

iv) Extent of Credit Utilization

Generally, credit is obtained to meet the additional expenditure incurred due to some
unforeseen matters. Credit is obtained from formal (banks) and informal sources
(friends/relatives) and used for investment and domestic purposes. In all the cases, credit
was obtained from informal sources including friends, relatives, elders, neighbors and
businessmen/shopkeepers. During the survey it was observed that most of the people are
doing business including transports etc, while several people are working abroad. It was
further noted that sometimes, people needs some extra money to meet the domestic
expenses especially participation/performing social obligations like marriage etc. In this
respect some people get loan from informal sources such as friends, relatives, neighbors,
businessmen, shopkeepers resided in the area. It was noted that on overall basis about
10 percent of the respondents obtained credit from informal sources. The average
amount of loan worked out to be US$ 750 per year. This amount of loan is mostly using
for domestic purposes. The credit used for business (shops), and social matters
(especially marriage) as reported by the 25.5 percent and 64.5 percent sample people
respectively, while 10 percent sample people utilized their amount credit for
medicine/medical treatment (Table 6.8).

Table 6.8: Incidence of Credit and its Utilization

Average Purpose of Credit Procured (%)
Proportion amount of Marriage/
Business/ Medical
obtained Credit Loan Social
Investment Treatment
(US$) Purposes
10.0 611 25.5 10.0 64.5

6.4.9 PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE/SOCIAL AMENITIES

In the Project Area, drinking water is available to the population as reported by the 3/4 th of
the sample affecters/respondents. However, in some places, the women are involved in
fetching drinking water from nearby water source (wells/stream-plate No. 11), where
community is fetching water for domestic purposes.

Based on the survey, it was noted that generally, the majority of the households (3/4 th)
had the access and availability of drinking water facility in the village/town or at nearby
place or nearby their residence. The major sources of drinking water observed in the
project area are streams/ nullahs, wells along the streams/ springs, lift pumps installed at

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nearby water source. Some water supply schemes were also noted along the project
route especially at Puli Khumri , Kunduz, Kabul and Jalalabad .

More than 40 percent of the sample population residing along the COI (1 to 1.5 km) had
access to electricity. Access to health facilities, schools and roads is to the extent of 30
percent, 40 percent and 30 percent respectively.

Table 6.9: Availability to Social Infrastructure

Access to Social Infrastructure
(Percent)
Drinking Electricity Health Center/ School Road
Water Facility
75.0 40.0 30.0 40.0 30.0

6.4.10 Women Issues

In the COI (1 to 1.5 km), about one half of the population is female. In the tribal area,
the women have a limited role in decision-making process at household level. The
women living along the project corridor were involved in several activities such as,
fetching of drinking water from streams/wells as well as tube wells located at the edge of
stream; collecting fire wood in nearby hilly area; washing clothes and household utensils;
child rearing; livestock rearing especially goat/sheep, livestock grazing etc. However, in
some families in tribal area, the extent of womens involvement remained limited to
domestic matters only.

Some consultations were made with local women involving a female enumerator in
survey team. The consultations were made at about 5 different places along the project
corridor, which are as below:
1. Madrasa area,
2. khanjan
3. Qali Gulbaz village,
4. Bela village,
5. Gerdi gaous,

During discussion with the local women the following concerns/issues were pointed out:

Women indicated a dire need for the availability of drinking water;

Local customs, traditions and privacy element will be affected due to the
project implementation;
Women daily routine activities will be hindered due to the project activities;
Outsiders employment in the project will interrupt their privacy and routine
activities;
Women and children activities like washing clothes, bathing of kids,
washing household utensils around the water sources (stream/ nullahs)
may terminate due to the disposal of waste material in water resource
during the project activities;
Women visits to the health centre, schools and other social gathering will
be stuck due to the project staff/laborers working around their settlements;
Blasting during the work may injure their children, livestock and will create
higher level of noise in the area;
Local tracks/passages will be blocked and people especially women,
children & aged group people will have to follow a long distance route in
order reach at her/his destination.

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Consultations were also made with two NGOs named as SEA which are working in the
area of social/community development and training/education sector respectively.

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