INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project, West Bengal

The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (MoEF) requested the assistance of the World Bank for financing an investment project referred to as “India: Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project” (hereinafter referred to as “ICZM Project” or the “Project”), with an overall objective of assisting the Government of India in building national capacity for implementation of the new integrated management approach for India’s coastal zones, and piloting the integrated coastal zone management approach in the three states of Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal;

The Project includes four components (Component One: the National Component has the specific objectives to establish and support an appropriate national institutional structure for guiding and coordinating coastal zone management, including, as sub-components: (a) hazard line and coastal sediment cell mapping; (b) mapping of ecologically sensitive areas; (c) establishing a new national institute for sustainable coastal zone management; and (d) national level capacity building; and Components Two, Three and Four aimed at piloting the integrated coastal zone management approach in Gujarat, Orissa and West Bengal, respectively);

To exclusively lead implementation of the Project, and to achieve the Project Development objectives for the West Bengal Component of the Project, the Government of West Bengal has created a special purpose vehicle, called the West Bengal State Project Management Unit (SPMU), and has appointed the Institute of Environmental Studies & Wetland Management, Salt Lake, Kolkata to be the SPMU;

Component Four for West Bengal, aimed at developing and empowering state level authorities to adopt appropriate ICZM approaches consistent with national strategies, includes sub-components: (a) preparation and adoption of an ICZM plan for the coastal stretches of West Bengal; (b) institutional strengthening and capacity building at the State level; and, (c) pilot investments consistent with local ICZM priorities around three themes of (c-i) Conservation and protection of coastal resources; (c-ii) Environment and pollution management; and (c-iii) Livelihood security of coastal communities.

Duration of the Activity: The execution of the Activity will be carried out between the 1st September, 2010 to 31st August 2015. Total cost of the project will be Rs. 300.26 crores out of which Government of West Bengal shall have to make a payment of about 7%. Rest 93% Which comprises of the loan from the World Bank and the matching grant from Government of India will come as a grant to Government of West Bengal.

The activity (a) above will be implemented by SPMU, and activities under (b) and (c) above in West Bengal will be implemented in partnership with the following Pilot Execution Agencies – Calcutta University (CU), Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland Management (IESWM), Directorate of Forest, Government of West Bengal, Zoological Survey of India (ZSI);  Public Health Engineering Directorate (PHED), Government of West Bengal, and Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA). West Bengal Fisheries Corporation Limited (WBFCL), West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), Sundarban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (SIDCL), Department of Disaster Management, Government of West Bengal

West Bengal coast can be divided into three major sectors namely : Sundarban sector (Mangrove area), Haldia sector (Industrial area) and Digha Sector (western part of West Bengal with sandy beach and micro-tidal range). ICZM Project has planned to make investment in two focal areas, namely   : (a) In Sundarban Sector – Sagar Island (under Sagar Block) and (b) Digha-Shankarpur area in western coast. All the development works under this project will be concentrated in these two areas. The details of work to be undertaken in two sectors are as follows:

(a)  Sagar Island :

       i)            Sundarban Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (SIDCL) will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for (i) Development of eco-tourism in Sagar Island and (ii) Livelihood Improvements and Market access in Sagar Island, South 24-Parganas District, West Bengal. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 6463  lakhs (Rupees sixty four  crores sixty three lakhs).

     ii)            The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Distribution of grid electricity for household connections in Sagar Island. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 3470 lakhs (Rupees thirty four crores seventy lakhs).

(b) Digha – Shankarpur Area

       i)            The Digha–Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for (i) Beach Cleaning & Sanitation, Environmental amelioration along the Beaches, Livelihood Generation etc. (ii) Solid Waste Management and (iii) Development of Drainage System and Phytoremediation at Digha, Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 6,525  lakhs (Rupees sixty five  crores twenty five lakhs) out of which SPMU will provide Rupees 6509 lakhs (Rupees sixty five crores nine lakhs).   

     ii)            Public Health Engineering Directorate (PHED), Government of West Bengal, will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Renovation of Sanitary Sewerage Scheme for Digha area. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 3559 lakhs (Rupees thirty five  crores fifty nine lakhs) out of which SPMU will provide Rupees 2982 lakhs (Rupees twenty nine crores eighty two lakhs).

   iii)            West Bengal Fisheries Corporation Limited will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Post Harvest Handling and Fish Auction Centre at Digha Mohana. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 681 lakhs (Rupees six  crores eighty one lakhs).

   iv)            Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Government of India, will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Strengthening of Marine Aquarium and Regional Centre  at Digha. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 593 lakhs (Rupees five  crores ninety three lakhs) out of which SPMU will provide Rupees 268 lakhs (Rupees two crores sixty eight lakhs).

     v)            The Directorate of Forests will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Afforestation Programme towards Coastal Protection around Digha – Junput area. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 539  lakhs (Rupees five  crores thirty nine lakhs).

 In addition to these sector specific works, some general development work along the entire coastal West Bengal will also be undertaken foe ensuring safety and security of the coastal communities. Directorate of Relief, Government of West Bengal, will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Construction of Cyclone Shelter Facilities in Coastal West Bengal. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 3,200 lakhs (Rupees thirty two crores).

Capacity Building Programme

       i)            The University of Calcutta will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Capacity Building for Biodiversity Studies in Sundarbans. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 560 lakh (Rupees five crores sixty lakhs).

     ii)            Institute of Environmental Studies Wetland Management (IESWM) will undertake the responsibilities for planning, designing and executing the activities related to the Pilot Investment in the Project for Capacity Building for Modeling of form-process-response in Sundarbans due to Climate Change. It also includes a small component of supporting in construction and operation of an Interpretation Centre on the Sundarbans by  Tagore Society for Rural Development. The total cost of the Activity will not exceed Rupees 824 lakh (Rupees eight crores twenty four lakhs).    

        Public Health Engineering Department

Digha has turned out to be one of the favourite destinations where a causal day tripper wishes to visit repetitively in a bid to “drink life to the lees” for some time while shoving out the mundane activities that fatigues the human intellect to the nadir of restiveness.

 However with rising population and inrush of inbound tourists Digha’s tryst with hygiene turned out to be a major cause of an impending environmental hazard which will have serious ramifications on the entire coastal ecosystem adjacent to Digha. In the Digha area because of growing population, large urban tourist influx and construction of hotels and restaurants the problems of sanitation related waste management and treatment including construction of a sanitary landfill along with vermi-compositing facility, construction of underground sewer lines and a sewage treatment facility are required to be addressed.

 Presently raw sewage from the existing buildings whether residential, commercial, hotels etc. are treated in individual septic tanks as on-site sanitation and final effluent of septic tanks are discharged either through individual soak pits or directly into the existing surface drains. As a result the flows in the surface drain become septic sullage or septage which is not at all desirable in such a popular beach resort. The situation become more aggravated as some hotels and holiday homes violate the regulations set by the Environment Department, Govt. of West Bengal, by disposing their sewage into the surface drain without any treatment. Discharges from these surface drains are disposed to the sea directly causing public health hazards along the shore line which requires adequate treatment to protect receiving waters from oxygen depletion and ecological damage. Considering the same Environment Department, Govt. of West Bengal felt the need of preparation of a Sanitary Sewerage Scheme for Digha beach resort which will be constructed by the Public Health Engineering Directorate, Govt. of West Bengal and will be maintained under Digha Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA).

A flashback of not so remote period will entail the fact behind the wobbly and asymmetrical scenario of the incumbent sanitary sewage scheme at Digha.  The Sanitary Sewerage Scheme for Digha was sanctioned earlier in the year 1996 for an estimated cost of Rs. 4.09 crores considering a design population of 17,000 in the design year 2011. After laying of about 1825 mtr. sewer line some problems of sand boiling were faced in some places and work was suspended, temporarily, in the year 1997. To overcome such problem re-design of the entire system was done in 1999 to safeguard against sand boiling problem and suspended work resumed in the year 2000. Based on the re-design a considerable part of the work was completed within the sanctioned amount of Rs. 4.09 crores. However as the entire sewer network had been re-designed it was not possible to execute all works of the scheme within the sanctioned amount due to cost escalation and other allied corollaries. Accordingly, revised estimate was prepared subsequently and it was proposed to execute the work in 2 phases. Value of the revised estimate was Rs. 12.51 crores comprising of works for Phase-I and Phase-II. Estimated amount for Phase-I works was proposed as Rs. 8.89 crores and for Phase-II works was Rs. 3.62 crores. But the said revised estimate was not sanctioned and as a consequence, works remains suspended till now for want of requisite fund.

 Under the stated circumstances and considering the necessity to improve the hygienic condition as well as to maintain the environmental standard of the popular beach resort the renovation work of the suspended Sanitary Sewerage Scheme of Digha area has been considered as one of the pilot investment scheme under ICZM Project to be executed by Public Health Engineering Directorate.

Objective of the Proposed Sewerage System

With the growing population the management of solid waste turned out to be a critical affair as if untreated wastewater is allowed to accumulate, the decomposition of the organic matter it contains can lead to the production of large quantities of mal-odorous gases. In addition the untreated wastewater usually contains numerous pathogenic or disease-causing microorganisms that dwell in the human intestinal tract. It also contains nutrients, which can stimulate the growth of aquatic plants, and it may contain toxic compounds. For these reasons, the immediate and nuisance-free removal of wastewater from its sources of generation, followed by treatment and disposal, is not only desirable but also necessary for the society to improve the hygienic condition as well as to maintain the environmental standard of the area. The ultimate goal - wastewater management - is the protection of the environment in a manner commensurate with economic, social, and political concerns.

The objective of the sewage treatment is to stabilize decomposable organic matter present in the sewage so as to produce an effluent and sludge which can be disposed of in the environment without causing health hazards or nuisance. Health hazards are also created due to the bacteriological contamination in the underground water and also to the surface water bodies. Therefore, treatment of Sanitary Sewage in the Digha area becomes essential to safeguard the health hazards of the people of the area as well as to the visiting tourists and also for the protection of the coastal ecosystem of the popular beach resort.

Proposed Project Component:

In the renovation work of the present scheme, different diameter sewer lines are to be laid except sewer lines constructed earlier. In the proposed system, the sewer network of 18,646 meter length of different diameters will collect sewage from the entire command area and will transmit the same to the Sewage Treatment Plant. Out of total sewer line, a length of 6,496 meter of different diameter sewer lines were laid earlier according to the initial sanction and remaining 12,150 meter sewer lines of different diameter are to be laid as per proposed renovation work. Sewer lines already constructed earlier are to be cleaned thoroughly to make those lines functional as those lines are lying idle for quite a long time.

 Sewage from residential houses, hotels, different Institutions, commercial and other establishments will be collected through different manholes of different sizes to be provided at regular intervals, as per requirement, within the sewerage network. Manholes will be provided within the sewer network at an interval of 30 mtr. or less based on requirement. Considering the necessity from the engineering perspective it has been proposed to construct ordinary manholes, junction manholes, drop manholes and flushing manholes at different locations within the sewerage network. Provision of flushing manholes at the head of sewer have also been kept for flushing the system once or twice a day to wash away deposited solids of the sewer. Manholes to be provided within the sewerage network will also act as inspection manholes and will also be utilized for inspection, cleaning and other purposes at the time of operation and maintenance.

 As the soil condition is not favourable for laying sewer along deeper level, due to sand boiling problem in some areas, it was decided to lay sewer comparatively along shallower depth to facilitate easy construction. Accordingly provisions for 4 Sewage Lifting Stations have been made at suitable locations adjacent to sewerage network system. Out of which 3 Sewage Lifting Stations have already been constructed earlier as per initial sanction and the remaining 1 Sewage Lifting Station is to be constructed under the proposed renovation work. Besides Sewage Lifting Stations provision of 2 main Sewage Pumping Stations has also been made in the present renovation work to facilitate pumping of accumulated sewage into the Sewage Treatment Plant. Out of these 2 Sewage Pumping Stations one has already been constructed earlier and the other Sewage Pumping Station will have to be constructed under the present renovation scheme.

The sewerage network of the proposed renovation scheme has been designed in such a way so that these Sewage Pumping Stations can function independently. Accumulated sewage of these pumping stations will be pumped separately and will be collected in a collection chamber before entering into the sewage treatment plant and will then be distributed uniformly from the collection chamber to the treatment ponds.

The treatment process to be adopted for the present scheme has been decided after comparative study of advantages and disadvantages among several treatment technologies available now-a-days and after such comparative study it has been decided that waste stabilization pond comprising of anaerobic, facultative and maturation pond will be the best option for treating sewage of Digha Township. The degree of treatment to be provided has been decided by comparing the raw waste water characteristics with respect to the required standard of final effluent to be discharged according to the set provisions. Main advantage of this process is that this process does not require any mechanical equipment for operation and as a result no electrical energy will be required for the plant operation which in the process will drastically cut down the operational cost. But the main disadvantage of the process is that it requires large area of land but as the land is available free of cost from Digha Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) waste stabilization pond has been selected for the treatment of sewage of Digha Township. Waste stabilization pond is also the simplest of all waste treatment technologies available for sewer waste water because of its simplicity and reliability of operation. A stabilization pond is simply a shallow body of water contained in an earthen basin exposed to sun and air.

The total estimated cost of the renovation work of Digha Sanitary Sewerage Scheme comes to `35.59 crores comprising of costs related to civil works as well as mechanical/electrical works. This cost also includes charges for service connection as well as cost of trial run coupled with operation and maintenance costs for the initial 3 years after commissioning of the project.

Execution of the present scheme will be done through turnkey contracts with provision of 3 years operation and maintenance by the executing agency including performance guarantee after successful commissioning of the entire system. Thereafter, the scheme will be handed over to the Digha Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) for operation and maintenance.

Along with the aforementioned sewage network PHED is supposed to construct a building within in the adjacent areas of Hospital at Digha. The proposed building will serve multiple purposes as it will have allotted room spaces for discharging administrative duties and responsibilities, laboratory, staff quarters, rest shed, stores, etc.  An internal pathway along with street lighting and fences embedded with bushes and shrubberies surrounding the building will be put together. As ICZM Project is an environmental project the proposed building will be based on LEED green building rating system. The target is to achieve Platinum certification provided by LEED rating system. A building with Platinum certification means it has taken care of the sustainability issues by recognizing the performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

·         sustainable site development

·         water efficiency

·         energy efficiency

·         materials selection

·         indoor environmental quality

Operation & Maintenance Planning

Operation and maintenance cost of the scheme after initial 3 years has been assessed as `1.80 crores including cost of manpower and electricity charges which will guide the DSDA to decide upon the policy of operation and maintenance. Based on the policy of operation and maintenance DSDA has to finalize appropriate tariff structure to be recovered from the consumers. For the purpose of recovery of operation and maintenance cost from consumers DSDA also has to finalize suitable cost recovery mechanism. In addition, DSDA has to create a separate cell for the operation and maintenance of the entire system.

Maintenance work generally consist of good "house-keeping" which mainly entails regular weed and grass trimming and other usual measures to prevent mosquito breeding. Floating scums and mats will also have to be removed. Regular visits by an operator will be there to ensure that the waste stabilization ponds are operating satisfactorily. When the characteristic green colour of a pond changes to grey, brown or pink, it is generally a sign of overloading and anaerobic conditions, often accompanied with mal-odours. When this occurs as a result of temporary overload, the wastewater will have to be by-passed for some time to allow the pond to restore itself. Repeated occurrences can be corrected by taking more permanent measures such as enlarging the existing ponds to cater to increased load. Occasionally, embankments may need dressing once every few years. Desludging of ponds will also be necessary at suitable intervals as per requirement.

In this regard, regular and periodic samplings at different points are to be done for a clear assessment of the performance of the entire system. Installation of a simple measuring weir in the inlet chamber will be there to assess whether flow conditions have changed or BOD or other characteristic of the wastewater or both have changed.

Zoological Survey of India

India has a long coast line of about 7000 km and the marine ecosystem offers a rich biological resource, much of which remains to be explored.  The coastal zone of West Bengal Comprises parts of Purba Medinipur, North and South 24 Parganas. The coastal zone of West Bengal is quite unique of its kind because of its sheer exotic floral and faunal variety that thrives in the mystic mangrove swamps of Sundarban deltaic regions to the enamoured coastline of Purba Medinipur known for its casuarina embedded sand dunes, ingress of less turbid but saline sea water, cuspate delta of the Subarnarekha, and neo-tectonic depressions in its western side. The entire 210 Km coastline of West Bengal is under reeling under severe pressure due to rampant uncontrolled anthropogenic interventions.

The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project plans to address these critical issues pertaining to preserving of the unique ecosystems by taking into confidence the local populace in a participatory and holistic approach. One significant component within this project is to assess as well as aware people about the importance of faunal resources i.e. sea, estuarine areas, brackish-water lakes and back-waters of the eastern coast of India and their interaction with the marine ecosystems.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is associated with this project as one of the Pilot Investment Executing Agencies primarily because it is the only taxonomic organization in the country involved in the study of all kinds of fauna occurring in all possible habitats from deepest depth of the ocean to the inhospitable terrain of Himalayas. ZSI has been providing regular services with regard to permissible limits of legal trading of faunal resources or derivatives thereof, monitoring services on population status of commercially important species and provides input for underutilized, culturable species both from terrestrial and aquatic systems. ZSI also provides timely warning on declining population of species of commercial importance to ensure sustainable use of components of biological diversity. ZSI also involves in environmental impact assessment of certain areas.

The implementation of this entire project component will be at Marine Aquarium & Regional Centre, Digha. ZSI has been mandated to implement the following tasks within the ICZM Project:-

A.  Training on Integrated Coastal Zone Management:

The purpose of the training is to provide effective and sustainable training and advisory services in coastal zone management in West Bengal. The goal of this project sub-component is to establish effective institutional capacity at state level for integrated coastal zone planning and management. The moot point is to increase awareness on the conservation and sustainable usage of marine biodiversity.

This has two components: -

i) Conducting training programme for civil society organizations and primary stake holders (Community training)

Training has been imparted mainly to the primary stakeholders comprising of fishermen, hoteliers, members of Gram Panchayat, representatives of hawkers union etc. on the prudent usages of pro-sustainable on-farm and non- farm livelihoods that can flourish in a coastal ecosystem. Primary stake holders who are dependent on coastal bio-resources learnt that there is no conflict of interest among the apparently alien concepts e.g. sustainable development, economic empowerment and livelihood enhancement activities.

ii) Conducting training programme for West Bengal State Government officials, local self-government officials and Panchayat Raj Institutions

The first training program that has been imparted to the officials of Government of West Bengal is aimed to sensitize the first-hand knowledge managers about various issues related to the coastal and marine biotic and abiotic resources available in general in the coastal areas of West Bengal in particular. Training also includes livelihood practices of the coastal people, exploitation of the coastal people by both endogenous and exogenous forces, the nature and the categories of the stake holders both primary and secondary, threats both natural and anthropogenic on the marine resources and their resultant impact on the ecosystem. However the principle objective of this training program is on the managerial aspect of managing the coastal resources in tandem with CRZ notifications through scientific intervention and conflict resolution amongst the competing interest groups.

B.  Establishment of a Marine Museum & Interpretation Centre:

Marine Museum: The Marine Museum which is to come up will promote education, research and training in conservation and sustainable development of marine resources, and a rational deployment of biotechnology. Among its facilities are the free standing exhibition tanks, live open water reef exhibition centre, live shallow reef exhibition centre, mangrove walk, contemporary Marine and Maritime Museum, Multimedia Interactive Information Kiosk, and Sipadan deep dive diorama. Exhibits of the museum can act as reference for educational, and research programmes and will help the visitors to appreciate, understand and work in maintaining and sustaining the varied marine and coastal natural resources of especially in the coastal zones adjacent to the state of West Bengal.

The museum shall exhibit issues on:

• The natural history of coastal marine fauna including seabirds.

• Current research activities of MARC, Digha.

• The marine ecosystems i.e. Coral Reefs, Mangroves, Sea grasses etc.

• Awareness creation on conservation through display of models of cetaceans i.e.whales, dolphins, dugongs, and etc.                                                                                            

Interpretation Centre: The proposed Interpretation Centre will aid in generating and sustaining public understanding and appreciation of the marine environment. It also provides an insight to:

o Marine Biodiversity and endangered species.

o Fishing methods, edible fishes and their conservation.

o Impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

o Coastal pollution- cause and effects; their prevention and control.

o Threats to natural habitats- coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass and also their conservation.

o Sea exploration- minerals, sea mounts and hydrothermal vent animals.

o Sustainable development including pollution prevention and control.

The interpretation centre will have visually–stimulating colour photos, and graphics. It will also contain well-preserved specimens and artefacts, including both hands on and hands off items.

C.  Modernization of Marine Aquarium: To renovate and upgrade the existing aquarium to a high standard. The following issues are proposed to be attended:

• Upgradation of the existing filtration system of the aquarium and to make it semi-closed.

• Recycling of the exchanged water.

• Removal of Total Dissolved Solids through efficient mechanism.

• Utilization of U.V. sterilizers, one at the multi bed pressure filter and other at the discharge area of the storage tank. This will make water recycling more effective and will give pathogen free water.

• Inclusion of Micron filters to remove suspended particles thereby increasing the effectiveness of U.V. sterilizers.

 Description of the tanks to be set up:

•  Community tank with invertebrates and fishes like sea anemone, crustaceans, tube worm, sea cucumber, sea star and fishes that are compatible with the invertebrates

•  Sea grass and sea weed planted aquarium with sea horse and pipe fishes

•  Aquascaped tanks domiciled by marine eels and jelly fishes

•  Separates Tank for Damsel fishes and Clown fishes

•  Tanks for poisonous fishes like Lion fishes, Puffer and Sea Dragon

•  Aquascaped tanks for Wrasses, Angel, Squirrel Fishes, Grouper, Sea Bass, Rabbit,

Basslet, Banner, Moorish Idol, Parrot, Dotty Back, Tangs, Powder Blue, and Trigger fishes

•  Crustacean tank for crabs, shrimps, lobster, hermit crab

•  Tanks for Butterflies, Batfish, Sweetlips, Arowana, estuarine fishes,

•  Fresh water species like Cichlids, Angel, Parrot, Koi Carp etc.

•  Decorated tanks that will be resided by skates, rays and fast swimming fishes

•  Aquascaping with live and dead corals, live rocks and sea rocks.

•  Fish quarantine system to quarantine the fishes against parasites and infection

•  Artemia hatching and culturing tank for feeding the tubeworms, corals, mollucs etc.

D. Upgradation of Infrastructure facilities: Apart from modernization of aquarium and establishment of marine museum and interpretation centre, it was realized to upgrade certain existing infrastructure facilities to the Centre which was approved through revised DPR. The infrastructure facilities viz. air-conditioning, false ceiling, flooring, laboratories, furnitures, equipment, etc. will be added to following part of the Centre:

¨       Auditorium

¨       Conference room

¨       Laboratories

¨       Museum and Interpretation centre

¨       Aquarium gallery

¨       Scientist rooms

¨       Common toilets

Project Tenure: - Five Years

Project Cost:-Rs 4.11 crores

Digha - Sankarpur Development Authority

Digha is the seaside resort town of West Bengal where a large number of people tripped in for a couple of days to relish and blend themselves to its unique sublime and serene ambience. Digha is located 187 km from Kolkata. It falls under the jurisdiction of Purba Midnapore district and geographically positioned at the northern end of the Bay of Bengal. Digha is West Bengal's most popular sea beach where tourists mostly from economy class thronged in large numbers, by quietly moving away from the usual din and bustle of hectic life for the sake of revitalizing themselves in an infinitesimal manner. Digha is originally known as Beerkul during Warren Hastings time was discovered in the late 18th century by the British. It is mentioned as the "Brighton of the East" in one of Warren Hasting's letters to his wife. Today‘s Digha is someway the brainchild of Dr B. C. Roy who nurtured the idea of promoting Digha as a popular beach resort which can entice people to visit it repetitively. The entire beach of Digha is dotted with casuarina plantations that sprung up over the sand dunes which not only add to the scenic aestheticism but also in containing the erosion.

However due excessive anthropogenic interventions in recent times Digha is facing multitude of problems that have serious repercussions on the coastal ecosystem. Blatant usage of natural resources, flagrant violations of CRZ rules, unauthorized constructions along the sea shore, discharge of solid waste in a brazen manner is someway pushing Digha on the brink of an impending catastrophe that is beyond redemption.

ICZM Project intends to address this particular issue of how a tourist spot can sustain itself by stabilizing the vital parameters connected to ecological footprints. A major portion of the developmental works under the ICZM Project at Digha will be implemented by Digha-Sankarpur Development Authority (DSDA), which is functioning under aegis of Department of Urban Development, Government of West Bengal. DSDA is instrumental of executing various developmental projects and schemes that spread over 42 mouzas under Digha P.S. and Ramnagar P.S. with 8752.63 acres of land.

The ICZM project mandates DSDA to implement a number of relatively small but important projects within the ICZM project that have a strong local perspective. These pilot projects are in the form of several small interventions aiming towards beach cleaning, beach beautification and providing basic civic amenities to the inhabitants of and inbound tourists that thronged at Digha. The proposed developmental work elements include the following sub-components:-

A.   Beach Cleaning and Sanitation at Digha

The virgin of Digha has undergone considerable wear and tear and if no significant measures are taken at this moment then the disfigurement to the sea beach of Digha will go beyond refurbishment. DSDA in consultation with SPMU-ICZM project will embark on the following tasks:-

o        Beach cleaning

o        Pay and use toilets along with changing rooms with shower facilities

o        Pay and use toilets without shower facilities

o        Removal of unauthorized shops /shanties that encroached upon the beach with suitable rehabilitation schemes which includes construction of rehabilitation and training centres mainly focuses on those hawkers occupying the adjoining sea beach area in an unauthorized manner.

B.   Beach Beautification and Illumination at Digha

DSDA has identified 12 sites for creating landscaped gardens, greeneries for amusement as well as for recreation of the inbound tourists along with beach area and garden illumination.

C.    Solid Waste Management in areas under Digha-Sankarpur Development Authority

The upcoming solid waste management system will consists of primary sorting of the waste and refuse at the points of generation, collection and transportation of the waste and refuse, putting the biodegradable materials into the process of vermicomposting, recycling of the non-biodegradable but reusable waste components and finally disposal of non-biodegradable remnants through engineered sanitary land filling system. The proposed site for solid waste disposal at Padima mouza of Digha lies beyond the Coastal Regulation Zone within landward side. Therefore, no CRZ compliance is necessary in implementing this component.

D.   Development of Drainage System

The present drainage system in Digha is not only derisory but also in pathetic condition. The present drainage system directly dumps the sullage into the sea and thereby contaminating the sea water with toxic elements which are hazardous for sustenance of coastal habitats in the long run. Open surface drains to be built at Digha only to collect the surface run-off and carry the water at a non-silting velocity by gravity flow.

E. Phytoremediation at Digha

Phytoremediation is the use of living green plants for in situ risk reduction and/or removal of contaminants in soil and water. The present proposal intends to build a Bioremediation STP which is to be located behind Aparajita cottage. Bioremediation STP will significantly reduce Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) load and also stabilizing the DO (Dissolved Oxygen) to a certain extent. BOD is a measure of the content of biologically degradable substances in sewage. The septic water from the surface drain will be made to flow in a number of channels properly designed with implementation of specific variety of plants to interact with pollutants and thereby to reduce the toxicity and make the water suitable for discharging into the sea with BOD₅ concentration less than 30ppm.

F. Livelihood Generation in DSDA area

DSDA will also work in the livelihood generation for the local populace. Digha has rich tradition of artisans capable of producing exquisite export quality conch shell artefacts, decorated mats; however they lack exposure to market their products resulting in inadequate revenue generation in comparison to the time and energy spent. Several areas as listed out have been identified under ICZM Project has enormous potential in employment generation for the local populace provided the stakeholders are guided in tandem with the emerging market dynamics:-

       Travel and Tourism

       Food Processing

       Handicrafts

       Aquaculture

       Floriculture

       Horticulture

       Civil works

       Electrical

       Secretarial Practice

Project tenure: 5 years

Estimated project cost is Rs 62.25 crores.

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited

Sagar Island is the westernmost island of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta that lies at the mouth of the Hooghly River. It is located 100 km from Kolkata. Sagar Island falls under the jurisdiction of South 24 Pargana and is totally cut off from the mainland by Muriganga River. The total geographical area of the island is 286.03 sq. km. The locational disadvantage coupled with erratic climate change especially during the monsoon season turned out to be the major constraints in providing logistical support for continuance of essential services at Sagar Island. Sagar Island till recent times doesn’t have any facility with respect to grid electricity. Absence of power debilitates the economic growth of Sagar to a large extent. Sagar is deprived of some of the basic amenities e.g. healthcare, education, communication, electricity etc. whose cumulative effect triggers growth that diminishes poverty, generates employment, increases the per capita income and improves capital formation of the economy in aggregative terms. The importance of Sagar doesn’t only pivots around the mythological sage “Kapil Muni’s Ashram” and “Gangasaar Mela” where million pilgrims across the country swarm on the eve of Makar Sankranti but also to those teeming million who resides over there facing all odds with humility that transcends generation after generation.

Till recent times Sagar has only a limited number of domestic consumers and commercial utilities who are provided with electrical power from diesel generating (DG) sets for five hours each day supplemented with solar photovoltaic power plants supplied through WBREDA. Another step to contain the issue of Sagar Island’s energy starvation is through the implementation of Wind-Diesel Project consists of 10 wind generators of 50 kilowatts capacity each, two 180 kVA diesel generators and a controlling system but even if the project is implemented in its entirety it can cater to the need of only a handful of villages.

The total number of population in Sagar Island is about 2.26 lakh out of which only 2,178 people (around 220 households) have access to electricity and that too through DG sets. These statistics indicate that only a minuscule number of residents of Sagar Island have access to electric power. Number of commercial consumers is so abysmally low that it can’t be reckon with. At present number of commercial consumers are only 394. Taking into consideration the decadal growth from 2001 census the estimated population of the island will increase from 226,974 to 319,374 by 2017-18. This implies that there will be an ever increasing demand of power in the island. Only viable solution to this problem is to connect Sagar Island to grid power. The requirement of power is estimated at about 9.5 MW by 2017-2018.

In order to foster the spirit of inclusive growth at Sagar Island and to enhance the quality of life through augmentation of commercial activities, industrial activities, irrigation facilities, etc. West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) has been assigned the task of electrification of Sagar Island under the ICZM Project. WBSEDCL has come into being after restructuring of erstwhile West Bengal State Electricity Board in compliance of Electricity Act 2003. WBSEDCL is a major power utility of the state. It has been projected that the total financial outlay of this project component is `34.2450 crores which will be spread over in the successive 5 years. According to the initial projection it can be stated that all the prospective consumers of Sagar Island will start getting individual connection from the grid by 2012- 2013. This will contribute immensely towards qualitative improvement of the standard of living of the common citizenry at large. The present project has been conceived for electrification of all the 42 mouzas of Sagar Island with 100% household electrification work.

The Sagar Island’s electrification work has the following important components:

i)              Drawl of 33kv line from the existing 33/11 kV Kakdwip substation at Kakdwip up to Lot 8 river bank.

ii)             Crossing over river Muriganga through river crossing towers to Kachuberia on Sagar Island.

iii)            Drawl of 33kv line from Kachuberia up to Rudranagar substation.

iv)           The aforementioned works has already been completed. The construction of river crossing tower and stringing was undertaken by West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd. (WBSETCL), whereas the construction of Rudranagar substation and drawl of 33 kV line from Kakdwip to Lot 8 and from Kachuberia to Rudranagar substation has been undertaken by WBSEDCL.

v)            The construction of substation has been completed as per the planned schedule of work. The Rudranagar substation has been made operationalized for catering to the energy requirements of the people of Sagar. The present project under ICZM Project covers drawl of 11 kV line from Rudranagar substation, drawl of LT line and the installation of distribution transformers at various location of Sagar Island to supply grid power 24X7 to all the potential consumers.

The Sagar electrification is going on in full swing with the sole objective of making the people of Sagar feel that they are not the estranged from their counterparts at the mainland when it comes in providing the basic infrastructural facilities to shore up the human development index. The above work was entrusted to the turnkey contractor named  M/s starling & Wilson Ltd with the work involvement: Drawl of HT line: 42 km trunk and 448 Km spur line, drawl of LT line: 3 phase 443 km, total number DTRs to be installed is 621 and 43000 household will have electrical connections.

Environmental and Social impact:

Implementation of this project is expected to bring enormous improvement in the environmental aspect of Sagar Island. The grid power has been made available to Sagar Island from October 2011 and consequently the DG operation has been phased out. Hence the CO₂, CH₄, SO₂, NO_X and other harmful exhaust gas emissions due to the operation of DG sets which are polluting the environment has been contained to a certain extent. This scheme has been proved useful not only for controlling greenhouse gas emission but also will provide a fresh impetus on the expansion of tertiary sectors apart from providing a fillip to the growth of the education system.

The other social benefits are as follows:

• Increase in river lift irrigation by using electric pump operated by grid power will contribute better cultivation.
• The continuous supply grid power will be used for preservation of fruits, vegetables, fish etc. resulting minimization of losses.
• Establishment of ice factory.
• Setting up of fruit processing units.
• Development of small scale units, commercial establishment, industries.
• Expansion of health care facilities.
• Improvement in education facilities.
• Rural employment generation as a cumulative effect after commissioning of this project.
• Better facilities can be provided to the sage Kapil Muni’s Ashram and Ganga Sagar Mela so that tourists can stay there not only for spiritual satiety but also for recreation which in a way trigger the process of generating newer avenues of employment.

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Planning

At present only a limited number of consumers get power hence the plausibility service interruption is negligible until and unless some extraneous factors come into play. However WBSEDCL has been geared up to execute any kind of tasks in Sagar pertaining to both preventive and corrective maintenance as per its established norms.

 Preventive maintenance includes:

¨       Periodical trimming of tree branches near the lines.

¨       Maintenance of HT lines, distribution transformers, load balancing and other associated activities.

Besides this, restoration of supply in case different system outages shall be taken care of by WBSEDCL as a part of maintenance work.

With an increase in number of route length of electric lines and consumers, number of officials would be increased for Rudranagar Group Electric supply office on pro rata basis.

After implementation of the project, majority of the works under the scheme shall be outsourced either to the Self Help groups or to other agencies that have the requisite expertise in the aforementioned arena. Maintenance cost of the asset has been estimated as approximately INR 0.8 million per annum, which translates to almost 0.23% of Project cost.

WBSEDCL has started contemplating the idea as part of its corporate social responsibility program to utilize the services of the economically weaker sections of the society in Sagar Island. The objective of engaging the marginal populace through SHGs is to supplement their income, encouraging skill formation at the grassroots level, particularly among the womenfolk, exploring the opportunities of self-employment at rural area and encouraging the participation of rural people in the management of rural infrastructure by way of infusing a sense of ownership among them.

WBSEDCL intends to employ the services of the SHGs for streamlining the processes i.e.

a) Mobilization of consumers

b) Meter Reading

c) Delivery of Energy Bills to the consumers

Before engaging the SHGs, the members will be trained on the basic aspects of consumer mobilization and meter reading by WBSEDCL. The members will also be trained on the process of filling up of different forms required for consumer connection etc. These members will hence assist the local population to fill up the required requisite formats and to place their applications for new connections to WBSEDCL in a meticulous manner without any hassles. All the expenses pertaining to the activities to be undertaken by SHGs would be borne by WBSEDCL through its Public Participation Cell.

Subsequently, considering the provisions provided in Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd. for Rajeev Gandhi Gramin Viduytikaran Yojna (RGGVY), it can be further decided to extend the scope of work depending on the performances of the SHGs at the second phase by incorporating:

a) Collection of Revenue

b) Minor maintenance work.

WBSEDCL realizes the importance for skill development of the members of the SHGs so that the entire stream of activities can be perpetrated in sync with the overall process panorama. WBSEDCL intends to solicit the assistance of a technical institute to impart training to build capacities of the SHGs engaged with WBSEDCL’s O&M tasks.

Disaster Management:

Sagar Island is cyclone prone area. So, while erecting the PCC poles and other equipment adequate protection has been taken in the design as well as in the implementation phase. The span of LHT (Line High Tide) pole and LLT (Line Low Tide) pole are designed at 60 M and 45 M respectively to withstand the effect of wind load and cyclone.

The Operation and Maintenance (O&M)  team exclusively dedicated for Sagar Island will combat disastrous situation as and when necessary, to maintain uninterrupted supply of power. Since it is not possible to provide any back up power to Sagar Island, the sole responsibility lies with the O&M team to manage the situation. The SHGs will also be utilized by the O&M team of WBSEDCL as and when such situation arises.

Projected Electricity requirement unto 2018:

On the basis of the 2001 census report, 10% population growth in each year has been assumed for the future projection. In addition 10 persons per family have been assumed. Present average domestic load is 140 kW per consumer and average commercial load is 620 kW per consumer. The electrification work will proceed in phases and initial trend shows that within the stipulated time frame the project can be declared as completed.

Projected Population, Consumer, Consumer Growth (BPL) at Sagar Island

Projected Growth of Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural and other Consumers