NAVIGATING SUSTAINABILITY: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF EIA PROCESS AND MITIGATION MEASURES AT THE KARORA HYDROPOWER PROJECT, SHANGLA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

More than 16% of the total electricity used worldwide is met by hydropower, having local to regional environmental consequences. Pakistan's Environmental Protection Ordinance (PEPO) 1983 mandated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In the Shangla District, the village of Kuz Kana is located about 300 meters upstream of the run-of-river project known as the Karora Hydropower project. The study reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment and mitigating methods for the Karora hydropower project, Shangla, Pakistan. The authors analyzed the impact area, land resources, water resources, flora and fauna, and the Socio-Economic setup of district Shangla. They also consulted with stakeholders to address potential impacts, issues raised, and compensations according to regulations. According to the survey, the cumulative negative effect of acquiring 64.321 kanals of land will impact around 18 landowners. Only 0.14% and 0.11% of the land in the villages of Kuz Kana and Ranial, respectively, needs to be acquired compared to the proposed area with the complete community. The affected individuals and communities received complete compensation for their losses following the Land Acquisition Act (1984), KPK practice, and ADB policy on “Involuntary Resettlement.” The study concluded that the project has no adverse environmental effects, and the minor potential impacts and compensation were done smoothly per the regulations. The lack of meaningful involvement by the public in the dam construction process is a key critique, which is especially essential for local communities directly impacted by hydropower projects. The study recommended implementing the environmental impact assessment for all hydropower projects in Pakistan.