10 11648 J Jeece 20170201 13
10 11648 J Jeece 20170201 13
10 11648 J Jeece 20170201 13
Methodology Article
Environmental Impact Assessment of Lebukhali Bridge
Construction Project over the River of Paira, Bangladesh
Md. Shafiqul Islam1, Md. Sagirul Islam Majumder2, *, Irteja Hasan3, Tania Yeasmin1,
Mohammad Kabirul Islam4, Md. Mustafizur Rahman5, Nazmul Huq Hawlader6, Israt Sultana7
1
Department of Geography and Environment, Dhaka University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2
The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kagoshima University, Japan
3
Department of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Bangladesh
4
Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Bangladesh
5
Agriculture Training Institute, Faridpur, Bangladesh
6
Department of Seed Science and Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
7
Bangladesh Coastal Development Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email address:
[email protected] (Md. S. I. Majumder)
*
Corresponding author
Received: March 21, 2017; Accepted: April 15, 2017; Published: June 2, 2017
Abstract: This study focuses the possible impact assessment on environment of Lebukhali Bridge construction project which
area is located in southern coastal part of Bangladesh. The main purposes of the study are to identify and analyse the potential
environmental impacts, suitable alternatives and preparing environmental mitigation plan of this project. Both primary and
secondary data were collected in doing this research. Primary data, such as the opinion from Union parishad offices, local NGOs,
local people has been collected through in depth interview. Secondary data, such as statistics and reports on the parameter of
environmental impacts, equation of Environmental Impact Value (EIV), procedure of Environmental Management Plan (EMP),
was collected from past study reports, books and journals etc. The major environmental impact would be air pollution, water
pollution and waste siltation, river erosion, migration, loss of Agricultural land etc. Environmental impact assessment is designed
on the basis of ecological, physico-chemical and human interest. Environmental management plan prepared to minimize and
control of negative impacts during pre-construction, construction and operation/management stages for its sustainability. The
study found that there are no significantly sensitive ecological, physicochemical socio-cultural impact in the area. The
environmental impact value was estimated +2 (Positive two) shows the acceptance of this project. This bridge will help to
mitigate the transportation problem as well as increase the socio-economic development of southern coastal region of
Bangladesh.
Keywords: Environmental Impact Assessment, Mitigation, Bridge Construction, Bangladesh
very early stage [11, 9]. Those will helps to rethink about the calculated by using mentioned below equation [7, 11] as
project or take precautionary steps earlier. Especially EIA is follows.
necessary before construction a bridge because it can pose
great threat to the areas near side the river [10]. Government n
EIV = ∑ ( Vi )Wi (1)
under took the plan for making bridge on Paira river because i =1
of poor communication network with the southern coastal part
part of Bangladesh. Coastal part is known as a great tourist Where, Vi = Relative change of the environmental quality
area especially for Kuakata Sea beach and also attacks tourist of parameters, Wi= Relative importance or weight or
attraction. But the river Paira has become a physical barrier for parameter, N = total number of environmental parameters.
for this region [1, 7]. This physical barrier is seen as an Project Location
impediment to economic development and social unity. The Lebukhali Bridge is located in south central part over Paira
construction of Lebukhali Bridge will establish a permanent River near Patuakhali district. Lebukhali Bridge Project (LBP)
link with the southern coastal part of the country. This paper at Paira River is situated at 189 km on
provide Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report of Dhaka-Mawa-Faridpur-Barisal-Patuakhali Road (N8), which
Lebukhali Bridge Project to provide potential negative and is at 26 km on Barisal-Patuakhali Road. The Latitude is
positive environmental impacts of the project. It is hoped that 22°30.07′ N and Longitude is 90°17.77′ E. The Government
this project will be proved as one of the successful project of of Bangladesh (GoB) through their nodal agency - Roads and
Bangladesh Government. It will permanently solve the Highways Department (RHD) within Ministry of
transportation problem of southern part with the country. The Communication (MoC) has planned for construction of the
objectives of this study as follows (a) to identify and analyze Lebukhali Bridge for a long time. RHD had prepared a
the potential environmental impacts and EIV (b) To prepare Development Project Proposal (DPP) for a 1450.9 m long
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and environmental Dual Carriage way bridge with the main bridge being in
mitigation plan of this project. Pre-Stressed Concrete (PSC) box girder together with 2.75 km
approach roads at an estimated investment cost of BDTK
4,461.002 million (US$ 65M) in November 2010 [6]. It will
2. Methodology be a 4-lane bridge and the 700 meters long bridge will have
Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. long approach roads on both sides. The approach road and
Primary data were collected by means of semi-structured bridge start in the north side are in Dudholmou under
questioonaire survey, site observation and key informants Patuakhali district and while ending in the same in the south
interview method. The sample size was 100 for questionnaire side of Lebukhali under Patuakhali District.The main
survey. Secondary data were collected from Bangladesh development objective of the project is to establish a
bureau of statistics (BBS), bridge construction authorities, permanent road crossing over the Paira River, replacing the
construction manager, project manager, chief engineer of this existing unreliable and unsafe ferries. The bride is likely to
bridge construction project, Local government and change socio-economic condition of the people of the
engineering department (LGED) and from relevant articles. southern region and boost the Kuakata tourist centre. It will
Firstly envrionmental parameters were divided into three also develop the communication system in the region as
catagories namely ecological, physico-chemical and human government is planning to set up a seaport in Kalapara area.
interest. Then the envrionmental impacts were identified This would eradicate an important hindrance in the
according to those catagories and documented each impacts as development of southern coastal region of Bangladesh. The
range from 0 to ±5. The degree of impact is the qualitative implementation of the project will require the acquisition of
judgement and finally, cumulative environmental impacts of 74 ha of land. Almost half of the land to be acquired is
the project was calculated that may occur inside and outside required for the construction of river training works. Over 10
the project area. Value of degree of impact is from the hectors are estimated to be needed temporarily for the
experience of similar Bridges related large projects in construction operations [6].
Bangladesh. Envrionmetal impacts and mitigation measures
for this bridge construction project have been identified 3. Results and Discussions
according to pre-construction, during construction impact and
post construction impacts. The environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) components
Quantification of Environmental Impact considered include Physicochemical, ecological,
Impact assessed based on different environmental impact Socio-cultural and human interest. These components are
parameter was evaluated assigning score ranging from 0 to ±5 divided into different parameters for identifying key and
for both positive (+) and negative (-) impacts. Changes of significant impact during different stages of the project, which
environmental parameters consider as (a) Severe (+5 or -5) (b) need to be thoroughly addressed for proper mitigation and
Higher (+4 or -4) (c) Moderate (+3 or -3) (d) Low (+2 or -2) (e) management and finally overall value are calculated for each
Very Low (+1 or -1) (f) No change (0). component (Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4). The EIV
Method Of Assessment calculation showed that the induced development has both
Environmental impact value (EIV) are estimated and negative and positive impacts on the environment. The
12 Md. Shafiqul Islam et al.: Environmental Impact Assessment of Lebukhali Bridge
Construction Project over the River of Paira, Bangladesh
n
Total Environmental Impact Value: EIV = ∑ ( Vi ) Wi = (-84-80+81+86)
i = 1
= +3
Note: RIV* is relative impact value, DoI** is degree of impact and EIV*** is environmental impact value.
Note: Q1 is first quarter, Q2 is second quarter, Q3 is third quarter and Q4 is fourth quarter in a year. (Here, one quarter refers the four month in a year like Q1).
5.3. Public Consultation found that majority of the people were strongly supportive and
fully willing to cooperate with the project. In spite of having
Public consultation was involved regarding this project some negative impacts of this project, people of the project
work encompasses as individual and FGD, consultation with area including associated areas, vehicles drivers, passengers,
expert groups, village level, NGOs and CBOs and key and small traders are very much positive to get a bridge on this
government/Union stakeholders. During the discussion, the location. Besides that some land owners, small traders within
authors explained the initial baseline condition and the project this location, a little number of fishermen shows reversed
intervention activities. All the respondents perceived the opinion for constructing this bridge. The public consultation
impact on environmental impact along with perceived risks, opinions are given details in Figure 2.
threats, benefit. Then they were asked to point out the project
related major environmental problems and solutions. It was
employment opportunity, economic development etc. Those Assessment (Eia) and Mitigation Measures. Training Course
positive impacts are added the value of the acceptance of this of Small Scale Water Resources Project (Sswrp-Ii).
project. From this assessment it can be declared that the project [6] Kundu, B. R. (2011). Feasibility Study of Lebukhali Bridge.
may be treated as the development pile for the coastal region of Final Report Volume – 1. Ministry of Communications, Roads
Bangladesh inspite of some negative impacts that can be easily and Highways Department, Bcl Associates Ltd and Stup
reduced by taking proper environmental management plan and Consultants P Ltd.
planned mitigation measures. [7] Rpt-Nedeco-Bcl. (1989). Feasibility Report of the Jamuna
Bridge Project. Phase -Ii Study. Volume-Vlii. Annex-M:
Environmental Impact Assessment.
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