No. J-11015/08/2008-IA.II(M)

Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan,

CGO Complex,

New Delhi-110510.

To

Dated: 12^th June 2008

Chief General Manager,

M/s Neyveli Lignite Corp. Ltd.,

Neyveli House,

135, Periyar, EVR High Road,

Kilpauk, Chennai – 600101.

Sub: Hadla Lignite Mine Project (2.5 MTPA) of M/s Neyveli Lignite Corp. Ltd., in villages Hadlan Rawaloton, Hadlan Bhatiyan, Mokha, Dist. Bikaner, Rajasathn (TOR)

Sir,

This is with reference to your letter No. GM/P&BD/HLMP/MOEF/EIA-EMP/2008 dated 30.01.2008 on the aforesaid subject and its consideration in the Expert Appraisal Committee (Thermal & Coal Mining) held on 25-26^th March 2008. It was noted that the proposal is for establishing a new Hadla Lignite Mine Project in district Bikaner involving a total land area of 2001.61 ha which is mostly private land (1999.08 ha) and Govt. land (2.53 ha). It is located at a distance of the Barsingsar lignite mine and TPP at a distance of about 15 km. The Hadla Lignite mine project is for the proposed expansion of the Barsingsar TPP (2 x 125 MW) by another 250 MW for which a separate application has been made. The life of the proposed lignite mine is 20-25 years. EC for Barsingsar was transferred from M/s Hindustan Vidyut Power Corp. Ltd. along with the mining lease.

It was informed that there are no streams, lake, reservoirs, dams, water curses, surface water body. There are no major population within a radius of 15km. During monsoon (from July to Oct.) some crops are cultivated. Groundwater is found at a depth of 140m. The main source of water supply for the villages and for the Barsingsar Project is the Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP) although in some areas borewells are in use. It was informed that the State Government has allocated 46 cusecs of water for industrial use for to M/s NLC of which about 0.5 cusec of water would be used for the Hadla Project. It was informed that in the Barsingsar mine, groundwater has not been encountered even at 70-100m depth of lignite seam. There are 3 villages located within the 2000 ha lease area. No R&R except land oustees involving about 250 persons. OB dumps proposed is bout 70-90m high. Occasional blasting is required due to presence of sandstone. Lignite removal is by shovel-dumper.

The Committee was of the view that the total land requirement for the project appeared to be high and needed to be reworked for the surrender of the land of about 500ha including the non-mineralised area and areas with habitation to minimise land oustees and R&R. The Committee desired that a study on the detailed ecology on the endemic and endangered species found in the study area should be carried out. This should also include the economically important species including medicinal plants found in the area. The study could involve the BSI-ZSI and the Desert Medicinal Plant Board, Jodhpur and also CAZRI. The Committee desired that a detailed R&R survey should be carried out and a detailed R&R Plan be prepared. The plan should include provision of water from the IGNP for the resettled villagers. The Committee desired that no groundwater should be used for the lignite mine. The Committee also desired that a detailed survey of the use of ground water in the area and the impact of mining on the groundwater regime (including quantity and quality) be undertaken. Mitigative measures in case of discharge of saline water require to be addressed by establishing RO Plant and by treatment and disposal of the brine sludge. The Committee desired that since the linked TPP is about a distance of only 15km, the PP should examine transport of coal by conveyors and not by road. The site and height of the OB dump also requires to be relooked to ensure minimal impact on township and habitation.

Based on the application along with documents and presentation thereon and discussions held, the Committee prescribed the following TOR:

(i) An EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for opencast lignite mine of 2.5 MTPA rated capacity based on the generic structure specified in Appendix III of the EIA Notification 2006. The EIA-EMP Report would be prepared for 2.5 MTPA rated capacity based on project specific activities on the environment of the region, and the environmental quality – air, water, land, biotic community, etc. through collection of data and information, generation of data on impacts including prediction modelling for 2.5 MTPA of coal production based on approval of project/Mining Plan for 2.5 MTPA. Baseline data collection can be for any season except monsoon.

(ii) An EIA-EMP Report should be prepared for a peak capacity of 2.5 MTPA addressing the impacts of the project including the aspects of mineral transportation and issues of impacts on hydrogeology, plan for conservation of flora/fauna and afforestation/ plantation programme. Baseline data collection can be for any season except monsoon. The EIA-EMP report should cover the environmental impacts and management plan for the individual project specific activities and those activities which have an inter-connection (transportation of mineral, power, water, colony, lignite stockyard, lignite handling plant, transportation and usage of approach roads from mine ) on the environmental quality – air, water, land, biotic community, etc. through collection of baseline data and information generation on impacts through prediction modelling.

(iii) A map specifying locations of the State, District and Project location.

(iv) A Study area map of the core zone and 10km area of the buffer clearly delineating the major topographical features such as the land use, ecologically sensitive areas such as Biosphere Reserves/National Parks/WL Sanctuaries/ Elephant Reserves, forests (Reserved/Protected), migratory corridors of fauna, and areas where endangered fauna and plants of medicinal and economic importance are found in the area, surface drainage of rivers/streams/nalas/canals, locations of human habitations, major constructions including railways, roads, pipelines, major industries/mines and other polluting sources.

(v) Land use map (1: 50,000 or 100,000) based on a recent satellite imagery of the study area may also be provided with explanatory note of the land use.

(vi) Map showing the core zone delineating the agricultural land (irrigated and irrigated, uncultivable land (as defined in the revenue records), forest areas (as per records).

(vii) Details of original land use (agricultural land/forestland/grazing land/wasteland/water bodies) of the area Impacts of project, if any on the landuse, in particular, area (in ha) agricultural land/forestland/grazing land/water bodies falling within the lease and acquired for mining operations.

(viii) Contour map at 3 m intervals and Site plan of the mine showing the various proposed break-up of the land for mining operations such as the quarry area, OB dumps, green belt, safety zone, buildings, infrastructure, Lignite HP, ETP, Stockyard, township/colony (within and adjacent to the ML), undisturbed area and if any, in topography such as existing roads, drains/natural water bodies are to be left undisturbed along with any natural drainage adjoining the lease and modification of thereof in terms of construction of embankments/bunds, proposed diversion/rechannelling of the water courses, etc., approach roads, major haul roads, etc.

(ix) The Committee was of the view that the total land requirement for the project appeared to be high and needed to be reworked for the surrender of the land of about 500ha including the non-mineralised area and areas with habitation to minimise land oustees and R&R. Break up of lease area as per different land uses and their stage of acquisition.

(x) Break-up of lease area as per mining operations.

(xi) Impact of changes in the land use due to the start of the combined projects since much of the land being acquired is agricultural land.

(xii) Collection of one-season (non-monsoon) primary base-line data on environmental quality - air (SPM, RSPM, SOx and NOx), noise, water (surface and groundwater), soil.

(xiii) Map of the study area (core and buffer zone clearly delineating the location of various stations superimposed with location of habitats, other industries/mines, pouting sources. The number and location of the stations should be selected on the basis of the proposed impacts in the downwind (air)/downstream (surface water)/groundwater regime (based on flow). One station should be in the upwind/upstream/non-impact/non-polluting area as a control station. The monitoring should be as per CPCB guidelines and parameters for water testing for ground water as per ISI standards and surface water as per CPCB guidelines.

(xiv) The Committee desired that a study on the detailed ecology on the endemic and endangered species found in the study area should be carried out. This should also include the economically important species including medicinal plants found in the area. The study could involve the BSI-ZSI and the Desert Medicinal Plant Board, Jodhpur and also CAZRI. The list of flora and fauna duly authenticated separately for the core and buffer zone and a statement clearly specifying whether the study area forms a part of the migratory corridor of any endangered fauna.

(xv) Details of mineral reserves, geological status of the study are and the seams to be worked, ultimate working depth and progressive stage-wise working scheme until end of mine life should be reflected on the basis of the approved rated capacity and calendar plans of production from the approved Mining Plan. Geological maps should be included.

Details of mining methods, technology, equipment to be used, etc. rationale for selection of that technology and equipment proposed to be used vis-à-vis the potential impacts.

(xvii) Impact of mining on hydrology, modification of natural drainage, diversion and channelling of the existing rivers/water courses flowing though the ML and adjoining the lease and the impact on the existing users and impacts of mining operations thereon.

(xviii) . The Committee desired that no groundwater should be used for the lignite mine. The Committee also desired that a detailed survey of the use of ground water in the area and the impact of mining on the groundwater regime (including quantity and quality) be undertaken. Detailed water balance should be provided. The break up of water requirement for each the mine operations should be given separately.

(xix) Source of water for use in mine, sanction of the competent authority in the State Govt. and impacts vis-à-vis the competing users.

(xx) Impact of mining and water abstraction use in mine on the hydrogeology and groundwater regime of within the core zone and 10km buffer zone including long–term modelling studies on. Details of rainwater harvesting and measures for recharge of groundwater should be reflected.

(xxi) Impact of blasting, noise and vibrations.

(xxii) Impacts of mining on the AAQ, predictive modelling including ISCT-3 (Revised) or latest model available.

Impacts of mineral transportation – within and outside the lease along with flow-chart. Impacts of transportation, handling, transfer of mineral and waste on air quality, generation of effluents from workshop, management plan for maintenance of HEMM, machinery, equipment. Details of various facilities to be provided in terms of parking, rest areas, canteen, and effluents/pollution load from these activities. The Committee desired that since the linked TPP is about a distance of only 15km, the PP should examine transport of coal by conveyors and not by road.

(xxiv) The site and height of the OB dump also requires to be relooked to ensure minimal impact on township and habitation. Details of waste generation – OB, topsoil – as per the approved calendar programme, and their management shown in figures as well explanatory chapter with tables giving progressive development and mine closure plan, green belt development, backfilling programme and conceptual post mining land use. OB dump heights and terracing should based on slope stability studies with a max of 28^o angle as the ultimate slope. Sections of dumps (ultimate) (both longitudinal and cross section) with relation to the adjacent area should be shown.

(xxv) Flow chart of water balance. Treatment of effluents from workshop, township, domestic wastewater, mine water discharge, treatment details, etc. Details of STP in colony and ETP in mine. Recycling of water to the max. possible extent.

(xxvi) Occupational health issues. Baseline data on the health of the population and measures for occupational health and safety of the personnel and manpower for the mine.

Impact and management of wastes and issues of rehandling and backfilling and progressive mine closure and reclamation.

(xxviii)Disaster Management Plan.

(xxix) Integrating in the Env. Management Plan with measures for minimising use of natural resources - water, land, energy, etc.

(xxx) Progressive Green belt and afforestation plan (both in text, figures as well as in tables).

and reasons for selection of species for the afforestation/plantation programme.

(xxxi) Conservation Plan for the endangered/endemic flora and fauna found in the study area and for safety of animals visiting/residing in the study area and also those using the study area as a migratory corridor.

(xxxii) Mine closure issues, post mining land use and restoration of land to pre- mining (agricultural use).

(xxxiii) Including cost of EMP (capital and recurring) in the project cost and for progressive

and final mine closure plan.

(xxxiv) The Committee desired that a detailed R&R survey should be carried out and a detailed R&R Plan be prepared with data on the existing socio-economic status of the population affected by R&R in the project area and broad plan for resettlement of the displaced population, site for the resettlement colony, alternate livelihood concerns/employment for the displaced people, civic and housing amenities being offered, etc and the schedule of the implementation of the R&R Plan.

(xxxv) Public Hearing should cover the details of notices issued in the newspaper, proceedings/minutes of public hearing, the points raised by the general public and commitments made in a tabular form. If the Public Hearing is in the regional language, an authenticated English Translation of the same should be provided.

(xxxvi) In built mechanism of self monitoring of compliance of environmental regulations.

(xxxvii) Status of any litigations/ court cases filed/pending on the project.

(xxxviii)Authenticated English translation of all material provided in Regional languages.

The following general points should be noted:

(i) All documents should be properly indexed, page numbered.

(ii) Period/date of data collection should be clearly indicated.

(iii) Authenticated English translation of all material in Regional languages provided/enclosed with the application.

(iv) After the preparation of the draft EIA-EMP Report as per the aforesaid TOR, the proponent shall get the Public Hearing conducted as prescribed in the EIA Notification 2006 and take necessary action for obtaining environmental clearance under the provisions of the EIA Notification 2006.

(v) The letter/application for EC should quote the MOEF file No. and also attach a copy of the letter prescribing the TOR.

(vi) The copy of the letter received from the Ministry on the TOR prescribed for the project should be attached as an annexure to the final EIA-EMP Report.

(vii) The final EIA-EMP report submitted to the Ministry must incorporate the issues in TOR and that raised in Public Hearing. The index of the final EIA-EMP report, must indicate the specific chapter and page no. of the EIA-EMP Report where the specific TOR prescribed by Ministry and the issue raised in the P.H. have been incorporated.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.T.Chandini)

Director

Copy to: Chairman, Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board, A-4, Jalane Dungri Institutional Area, JAIPUR – 302004.