Expertise: environmental engineering, environmental science
Expertise Group: Agriculture/Rural Development
Consultant Source: National
TOR Keywords: environmental engineering, environmental science
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
The main objective of the assignment is to prepare initial environmental examination (IEE) for each of
the four priority subprojects (i.e. Dibrugarh, Palasbari-Gumi/Guwahati West, Morigaon and Goalpara). The
IEEs will be prepared in accordance with Safeguard Requirements 1: Environment of ADB SPS 2009.
Further, the Specialists will support FREMAA to meet any environmental safeguard requirements of India
under EIA 2006 and its amendments, and other relevant policies.
Scope of Work
Preparatory Tasks
In close consultation with FREMAA and WRD staff, the Specialists will undertake the following
preparatory tasks:
• Review the proposed project interventions with respect to: (a) riverbank protection, (b) flood
embankment, (c) land reclamation; (d) sluice gates, and (e) other infrastructure relevant to the project
and associated facilities;
• Acquire a good understanding of the approved IEEs disclosed in 2018 on ADB’s website for subprojects
under India: Assam Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program – Project
2, particularly Dibrugarh and Palasbari-Gumi reaches (refer to documents in https://www.adb.
org/projects/38412-033/main);
• Acquire an understanding of the design and scale of subproject interventions described in the Detailed
Project Reports (DPRs) prepared by WRD for each of the four subprojects and relevant geographic
information system (GIS) files to be provided by FREMAA to the Specialists;
• Liaise with FREMAA, WRD and AADB to gain insights about the proposed project and identify with them
staff with whom the Specialists will collaborate with;
• Liaise with the Services Provider (hereafter referred as Provider) (to be recruited by FREMAA and to
be mobilized in January 2023) who will collect baseline field information about the four subprojects and
environmental safeguards;
• Work closely with the other Specialist under this assignment; and
• Develop a workplan for the timely production of the IEEs to be submitted to ADB for approval.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
To fulfill with the requirements described in ADB SPS 2009 and all relevant national and state policies,
the Specialists will undertake the following tasks:
• With FREMAA, WRD, and AADB, prepare IEE of each for four subproject areas in line with the
requirements of ADB SPS 2009 (it is anticipated that each Specialist will prepare 2 IEEs);
• Guide the Provider on the collection of data as per requirements of ADB SPS 2009;
• Utilize data and information from technical notes to be prepared by the Provider on (i) environmental
quality monitoring, (ii) wildlife and habitat surveys, (iii) physical and socio-economic data, (iv)
environmental risks identification and analysis, and (v) public consultations;
• Provide recommendations in the IEEs for how civils works can be carried out in a sensitive way to
maintain water quality and flow;
• Conduct a critical habitat assessment for all the subproject areas by using the data collected by the
Provider;
• Review the identification and analysis of potential impacts of project components and activities to be
provided by the Provider. Prepare a write-up of impact assessment and mitigation measures, which will be
included in the IEEs;
• Prepare environmental management plan (EMP) for each of the IEEs to describe the (i) environmental
risks and impacts, (ii) proposed mitigation measures, (iii) responsible institution/s who will implement
the mitigation measures and perform monitoring duties, (iv) costs for each mitigation measures; and (v)
other relevant information. Due attention will be given to ensure the EMPs include sufficient mitigation
measures to (i) protect the Brahmaputra River, waterbodies, and nearby habitats, (ii) follow health and
safety of workers from construction risks and diseases (i.e. HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, etc.), and (iii)
conserve any nearby physical cultural resources;
• Assess and recommend institutional arrangements and management systems that will (i) implement EMP/s,
(iii) comply with national and Assam laws, and (iii) receive and resolve grievances from affected people;
• Prepare a suitable environmental monitoring plan appropriate for the potential risks of the
subprojects;
• Discuss with FREMAA the EMPs for each of the subprojects and get agreement from FREMAA for all
proposed mitigation measures and costs;
• With AADB, explore suitable nature-based solutions that can be part of each of the subproject areas;
• Prepare analysis of alternatives (to be included in the IEEs) to the proposed subproject areas,
technology, design, and maintenance and operation, including the no project alternative in line with ADB
SPS 2009;
• Interact with Climate Change Expert from ADB to understand the potential climate risks of the project
and corresponding adaptation and mitigation measures. Document useful and relevant information on
climate aspects and financing into the IEEs;
• Discuss with FREMAA findings and recommendations of each of the IEEs and EMPs that can be integrated
into the infrastructure designs and/or part of construction works methodology;
• Consult with relevant Government of India and Assam regulatory offices for the compliance with
national and state laws and standards and inform FREMAA on the requirements of the government agencies
for the project infrastructures for FREMAA to timely obtain any required environmental clearances for
the four subprojects;
• Support FREMAA in translating the executive summary of the IEEs and highlights of the section on
anticipated environmental impacts and mitigation measures into the local language as materials to be
distributed among beneficiaries and stakeholders during the project implementation period;
• Document in the IEEs the results of the consultations with affected people and beneficiaries by the
Provider;
• Prepare and establish the grievance redress mechanism (GRM) in coordination with the ADB Social
Development Specialist and FREMAA;
• Support the ADB Project Team on revising the IEEs further to comments of ADB peer reviewers during the
ADB interdepartmental review process; and
• Perform any other environment safeguards and due diligence activities as necessary as required by the
ADB Project Team’s environment specialist.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or equivalent with a Master’s
degree in environmental engineering or environmental science from a widely recognized
university/institution;
• At least 10 years of professional experience on environmental assessment, due diligence, impact
assessment, and reviews and designs of climate-resilient infrastructures on development projects.
• At least 5 years of experience on ADB-, other multilateral development banks-, or international
organizations- financed projects in the water sector in India. Experience in Assam or Northeast region
of India is preferred.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills in English.
Minimum General Experience: 7 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 7 Years
