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• During the
Project Definition Stage a Preliminary Environmental and
Social Impact Assessment was prepared. Information and data on
all environmental and social issues were collected in a wide
area stretching from the existing Cahora Bassa lake to the
Zambezi delta and even into the Indian Ocean (potential
impacts on fisheries). The assessment was an important
component in the process of recommending a hydropower
development alternative for further study. The preliminary
environmental and social impact assessment indicates that the
environmental and social impacts of the recommended Project
are quite limited in comparison with the size of the Project. |
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Public Hearings: |
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First Round |
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Tete |
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Zambezia |
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Sofala |
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Maputo |
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Report 1st stage by the independent consultant CBE
of Mozambique. |
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During the Phase
2, a full Environmental / Social Impact
Assessment (EIA/SIA) has been
elaborated. This includes a comprehensive public
consultation and participation program-me. A first round of
public hearings and press conferences related to the Project
was organised by UTIP in February and March 2001. The
objectives were two-fold: |
• To make the Project known
• To collect the opinion of
people at all levels on the possible socio-economic and environmental impacts of the Project. The general public was invited to express its expectations with regard to the Project.
The findings from the meetings have been conveyed to the study consultant
who has taken them into consideration when preparing proposals of an environmental and social mitigation programme. These proposals were
subsequently be taken to a second round of public hearings where the general public discussed them and voiced approval and/or modifications.
The study and consultation process follows international accepted principles and guidelines (World Commission on Dams and others). It is monitored, and will need the final approval of the Mozambican Ministry of Environment.
As the Project approaches physical implementation, a refined EIA/SIA for the Project will have to be prepared in parallel with the detailed engineering process.
Environmental and Social Characteristics
The planned Mphanda Nkuwa (MN) reservoir will inundate about 100 km² (compared to the existing Cahora Bassa Lake of 2675 km²). The area consists mainly of fairly steep woodland and a mosaic of shrubland with small farmland patches. The shrubland provides relatively low quality grazing, and the woodland has near to no commercial value. Crop losses are estimated at EUR 125,000 annually.
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Pictures: |
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Public hearings |
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Local population |
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• Environment |
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Initial evaluations show that the number of people likely to be displaced by the MN reservoir is about 260
households or, in other terms, around 1,400 people. Estimates
of envirommental costs including resettlement cost and
compensation reach EUR 16.7 millions. |
No significant biodiversity and cultural heritage interests have so far been identified in the reservoir and close
to the Project area. The river ecosystem between the new dam and Cahora Bassa, will be changed from a rapid river into an artificial lake. There
is the possibility to develop Kapenta fisheries in the new reservoir.
Due to its limited site, the project can not change the actual
seasonal flow pattern of the river. The project is formed to have no
identifyable impact on the Zambezi delta and fishiries in the Indian
Ocean
When the Mphanda Nkuwa Hydropower Project will be developed beyond its
1st stage capacity, the ensuing mid-merit and peaking operation will
cause daily, potentially damaging fluctuations of the river.
Therefore, a re-regulating dam would have to be built at Boroma to
attenuate the daily flow changes.
The environmental and social impacts of the transmission system will be subject to a separate EIA/SIA |
