Environmental Management Framework (emf) coastal embankment improvement project phase-i project (ceip-i) April 29, 2013 Dhaka Bangladesh Water Development Board Ministry of Water Resources Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Chapter 9Public Consultation and Disclosure

9.1Introduction

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    Public Consultation and Disclosure is mandatory for the EA study of any development project according to the EIA Guidelines of DoE as well as World Bank. Public consultation and disclosure aims to involve the stakeholders in the project development and implementation process. During consultation process, the proposed project planning interventions along with the alternative options are discussed while the results of impact assessment are shared during the disclosure sessions. The proposed interventions and alternative options for respective coastal polder development under CEIP project were consulted with stakeholders and findings are presented in this chapter. Also methods of disclosure of the findings of environmental assessment are presented here.
    

9.2Objectives of public consultation and disclosure

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    The main objective of public consultation and disclosure is to involve local inhabitants/stakeholders of coastal polders in project planning and implementation process. The specific objectives of public consultation and disclosure were to:
    

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  get feedback on the proposed project interventions and possible environmental and social impacts
  
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  know about the perceived ideas of stakeholders on mitigation/ enhancement/ compensation/ contingency of potential negative/positive impacts of the proposed interventions
  
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  inform the stakeholders about possible land acquisition (LA), if any, and its impacts on different group of people including vulnerable one;
  
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  know about the possible conflict of interest, if any, and suggestions for resolving those;
  
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  make the stakeholders aware about the possible environmental and social impacts;
  
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  share the results of impact assessment according to the important environmental and social components with the stakeholders;
  

9.3Approach and Methodology of Public Consultation

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    As part of the Environmental Assessment of CEIP project, two stage ‘public consultation’ need to be carried out – local level and national level. Already four public consultation meetings were conducted at local level in the coastal area (see Table 9.1 and Figure 9.1). List of participants attending in the public consultation meetings is given in Appendix – 11. National level consultation workshop will be conducted after preparation of the ‘draft Environmental Management Framework’.
    

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    Participatory approach was followed for identifying the participants as well as conducting public consultation. Initially the consultants talked with the Upazila Chairman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), UP Chairman and knowledgeable person in the study area to get clear view of the study area and to get support for identifying the potential key persons who should be invited to attend the consultation meetings. The venue, date and time of those meetings were fixed in consultation with Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) as well as the key persons of the respective venues. In the four consultation meetings, Upazila Chairman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), upazila officials from different departments (fisheries, agriculture and livestock etc.); Chairman, Member and secretary of Union Parishad, local people of different occupation including farmers, businessmen, day laborers, farm and non-farm laborers, etc; the knowledgeable persons including teachers, service holders, journalist etc. and representatives of project authority participated. The type and number of participants who attended the meeting are given in Appendix - 11.
    

Stakeholder consultation workshop in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar Stakeholder consultation workshop in Dacope, Khulna Stakeholder consultation workshop in Ramgati, Lakhsmipur Stakeholder consultation workshop in Barguna Sadar, Barguna

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    The consultant used necessary checklists for facilitating the public consultation meetings to maintain uniformity and relevancy in discussion and recording the opinions and views of the participants properly. The checklist was prepared covering the issues like overall briefing of the proposed project including the Feasibility/EA study level of the project, problem of the area with the potential solutions, proposed interventions and alternative options, probable impacts of selected interventions etc. During consultation meeting all relevant issues within socio-economic, agricultural, hydrological, fisheries, and ecological aspects were discussed in detail. A multi-disciplinary consultant team facilitated the consultation meeting where the other members of the team including Water Resource Engineer, Agriculturist, Fishery Biologist and Ecologist attended and assisted as necessary. The consultants displayed maps of the study area, explained the initial baseline condition, and the proposed initial interventions. The facilitators explained all relevant points and issues in order to enable the participants to comprehend the proposed initial interventions/activities properly and to respond, accordingly. The stakeholders were asked to point out the potential problems and solutions and develop the project interventions in line with the initial proposal. The stakeholders’ perceived views over the impacts on important environmental and social components (IESCs) along with perceived benefits, risks, threats and demand from the project were identified. The consultants took utmost care in recording opinions and views of the participants relevant to the EMF Report.